The First Week

Not too mmuch to include. Wednesday - Friday was spent unpacking the car and trailer and getting organized and ready for work. Thursday morning we met with and had breakfast with our mision Preident and his wife. Very nice. Found some local shopping spots. Sunday we went to the Geneso ward where we have been assigned.

Arrived at last!

Ho rah we made it. 7 1/2 hours from Kate & John's. Included a stop for lunch, 2 gas stops and 2 pottie stops.

We met with Elder Weston, the site director and his wife. We had a wonderful dinner with he and his wife and John & Sandy Rutkowski. John Rutkowski is who we will be working for, for the next two years. Our apartment is beautiful. We'll have to get some pictures of it.

We enjoyed a brief tour of the vistor center and grounds. It is very nice here. I think we are really going to enjoy this mission experience.

Again our humble thanks to everyone who has made this experience possible.

In Vermont

Monday afternoon, May 4th. Arrived in Burlington airport. Kate came to pick us up and we went to her house in Brandon. Stayed overnight with she and John. They have adopted a little lamp who's mother dies. His name is Thomas. Kate stayed up very late and made us a special loaf of whole wheat bread in the shape of a bee. We had a very nice stay over and will miss them a lot.

Travel to the Field

We completed our training on Friday, May 01 and were given a ride up to Lindsay's home in Holiday (Salt Lake City) We had dinner at a "Natural Foods" restaurant

Saturday morning we all went to Home Depot where they had a children's workshop day.

Kaden & Grandpa made a little window birdhouse which he put in the library window.

Saturday afternoon we spent some more "fix-it" time doing repairs at Lindsay's and in the evening went to dinner at a "Golden Corral" buffet. What a feed. Sunday to church at Lindsay's Ward ( about two blocks from her house) and in the afternoon went for a drive up on the East side where there was a view of the whole valley.

Early to bed as we need to rise early (4:00 AM) at the airport by 6:00 AM and the flight leaves at 7:10AM - Off to Burlington and Kate & John's.....

At the Missionary Training Center at last

On Monday morning, April 27th about 10:30 am we arrived at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. What a day. What a week. I had come down with another bronchial infection - what a conincidence there were two doctors in our company. I got an Rx for antibiotic and moved forward. I don't recall ever spending such a time in my life when I have had so much spirituality. We had constant daily spiritual experiences. Story after story from those there sharing their experiences. There are no coincidences in the MTC or in the church or life for that matter. It was very moving to sit in a devotional on Tuesday night with 2000 young missionaries singing "True to the Faith that our parents have cherished". I know at least one senior missionary with tears running down his face.

As you learn to teach the Gospel by the Spirit you discover that it truly is the Spirit that teaches. When you feel inadequate or that you don't know what to say - the Spirit is right there putting ideas and words into your mind. I cannot imagine another setting wher you can get so close to so many other couples in such a short time. It was hard to say goodbye as we left for our separate calls - we had become good friends. It was very hard to leave. Back into the world!