Called to Serve

Farewell California

We left California between storms - Mike, Amanda, AnnMarie, Carmen Joyner and, of course, Shasta were all there to see us off.  The week prior to our departure we had so many friends stop by to wish us well - to each of them, THANKS!

After leaving California we headed to Caldwell, Idaho to spend a few days with our friends, Mark and Terry de Jong, who were very, very, very instrumental, along with Dennis and Fawn Silva, for us being active in the Church.  Without them we probably would not be here today.  We had a wonderful visit with Mark and Terry filled with lots of laughter and stories of the “good old days.”

We left Caldwell on Tuesday to visit with Jon, Steph, Kate and Edwin for a few days.  We celebrated a late Christmas with them, played with the grandkids and attended Jon’s English class at BYU.  It was so much fun seeing him interact with his students - they love him and he loves them.  

Beth showed up on Friday to spend the weekend with us and take us to the MTC.

Provo City Center Temple Open House

On Saturday, January 16, we had the wonderful opportunity to attend the open house of the new Provo City Center Temple.  It is by far one of the most beautiful edifices erected to the Lord that we have ever seen.  So much attention to detail in the fine wood work, paintings and the most amazing stained glass windows. 

Beth and Jon being silly!

Photo Bomb

Wanting to play in the fountain on temple grounds.

 

Look'n the part don't ya think?

Bethany, Jon, Stephanie, Kate (3) and Edwin (22 months) dropped us off at the MTC just after attending church in Orem, Utah on Sunday, January 17.  

Playing in the snow on the walk home from church.

Our Life in the Missionary Training Center (MTC)

That was such a special treat for Ius.  At the very moment that we walked into the MTC and then put on our missionary name tags we had an immediate and overwhelming sense of peace, comfort and happiness.  We are now on the Lord’s errand full time to invite others to come unto Christ.  This is both an incredible responsibility and a wonderful opportunity.

As you will see on the pictures below, no one would let us touch any of our luggage and, of course, Kate and Edwin insisted on helping as well.  It was a touching and humbling moment to stand by and watch each of them serve us.  It truly was a labor of love and one we shall never forget.

First pictures with our name tags.

ITS OFFICIAL!

Many hands make for light work!

Kate was too busy to pay attention and knocked Edwin over.

Saying our good byes ... sniff, sniff.

We were all surprised to discover how nice our room is with a comfortable bed, a study area and two beautiful paintings (even Sir Robert likes it here).  To top it all off we have a beautiful view of the snow covered mountains behind the MTC.  Of course the first thing Jon and Beth said when they saw our room was, “You gotta be kidding, you should see the rooms we had!”  I guess there are some advantages to being old!

Nice room and with a view!

Even Sir Robert Likes the Room

[FYI - Sir Robert is a gift from AnnMarie, one of our granddaughters.]

We have enjoyed our first week at the MTC with lots of amazing training, inspiring messages and longer days than anticipated.  Although somewhat intimidating, we even enjoyed our practice teaching opportunities - no doubt we learned more, much more, than those we taught.

We have already attended two amazing devotionals:  Sunday night with Sister Janice Capp Perry and her husband - they were nothing short of hilarious; and, Tuesday night with Elder Falabella of the Seventy, which we can describe in one word - WOW!  Such a humble and tender servant of the Lord.  Wednesday morning we attended a special two hour Worldwide Missionary Broadcast and it was amazing!  We heard from Elders Andersen, Bednar, Oaks from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elders Clayton, Nelson and Waddell of the Seventy along with Sister Bonnie Oscarson, General Young Women's President.  One of the things that Elder Bednar said that immediately resinated within all of us was, “Without the power of the Holy Ghost we are utterly incapable of doing that which we have been called to do.”

We have met so many wonderful people here at the MTC all with the love for and desire to serve Jesus Christ.  We will enjoy so many of those friendships established here throughout the eternities! 

Enjoying a special moment with wonderful new friends!

Elder & Sister Pugh from Wales on the left.

Elder & Sister Edwards from Canada on the right.

Our district with our trainers.

Elder Van Leeuwen, the Pughs (going to the Philippines) the Lovelesses (going to New Zealand), the Lows (going to N. Carolina) and Elder Keddington.

Two more of our trainers ~ Sister Kunzler and Sister Hicks

There are 43 senior couples here at the MTC with about 2,000 younger missionaries - its awesome.  Just like the younger missionaries here, they have come from all over the world and in a few days we will be leaving the MTC headed for virtually all corners of the earth:  New Jersey, Nebraska, Thailand, Hawaii, Guatemala, Romania, Canada, Mexico, California, New Zealand and, of course, England! 

Perhaps more than anything else we have enjoyed visiting, laughing and teasing with the young Elders and Sisters.  There is no doubt in our minds why we have been called to work with the Young Single Adults.

OK, not everything is perfect!  Friday afternoon we did our laundry and much to our surprise when we pulled Steve’s brand new white shirts out of the washing machine we had turned them gray!  Yep, we accidentally put his new black wool socks in the wash with the shirts - gasp!  Now what do we do?  After washing the shirts five times, including once with Rit color remover, a special product made for such situations, the shirts are again white.  Tender mercy, right?

We love the following Elder Holland quote, which he shared before a group of senior missionaries in Japan.  It was shared with us in one of our classes by another senior missionary couple:

All our lives we’ve prayed for our grandchildren, and now it’s their turn to pray for us….  You are half a world away from your families, and doing more for them now than you ever could be staying home….  Because of you, all your children and your children’s children will be drawn home; they will choose to come home.  Your children and your children’s children will call your name blessed.  Even on the other side of the veil, you will be entitled to bless your grandchildren for generations to come.  God will empower you.”

We hope and pray that our entire family will be blessed for our service just as we were for theirs.