MTC

Every couple in the church should have the opportunity of spending a week at the Provo Missionary Training Center.  Helen and I have a strong marriage of 46 years, but we are closer and united more than ever after this week in the MTC. Learning to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as missionary companions was wonderful. Intently listening, planning lessons appropriate to our" investigators", practicing GTK (Get to Know), bearing testimony to each other and helping each other get out of our comfort zone really strengthened the love we have for one another.  We developed instant friends with the other couples in our district and branch.

Sister Anderson was our morning teacher.  

Jen conducted a beautiful choir concert this evening in fulfillment of her Master's Degree in Choral Conducting at BYU.  We are (Matt is too) very proud of her accomplishment.  She has accepted a job offer as choral director at Spanish Fork HS.  We had hoped she would get an offer in Oregon, but this is a good offer and will definitely advance her career.  With these credentials, Oregon could still be in their future.

Any one who has been through the MTC will remember the food.(Yes, kids, it is yucky)  Here is a group of young missionaries headed for various missions in the Phillipines.  They were from the US, Brasil, Micronesia, England and Korea.  It was so exciting to see so many young, righteous youth from all over the world being mixed together and then devoting 18-24 months in service to the Lord!  Obstacles to the always hoped for "World Peace" are falling. My job will be to try to help them stay healthy so they can serve with "all your heart, might, mind and strength."

Sunday night finds us visiting with Bob and Lynne Waits (Sarah's parents who just returned from holding Harry in LA) who are always full of enthusiasm, interesting stories and encouragement as we prepare to enter the mission field.  We are so glad Dan found Sarah (we do love her too).
We also had a delightful dinner with the Cleggs (wonderful friends from Salem who now live in Draper) renewing old friendships and planning our trip to Italy for the dedication of the Rome Temple when we finish our mission.
We will spend the next four days in SLC learning the details of being an Area Medical Advisor Missionary. I think it mostly consists of learning to navigate the church's Missionary Health Website.  We are looking forward to the instruction.

PS from Helen:  I have been completely exhausted every night since we have left Salem.  Where is the relaxed vacation I was looking forward to?  It looks like this mission is going to be really hard work.  I don't know if I can keep up with everybody.When will I shop and read novels?  But seriously, it has truly been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life so far.  I've even been getting teary a lot, and my family knows how out of character that is for me.  Thinking of all my dear friends and family always - love to you all.

Black = Jim, Red = Helen