Week 1 - Completed

Our MTC experience has been incredible! We have been uplifted, challenged, and strengthened.

The seniors who were in the MTC with us

 These are the lovely people we've spent our days with since arriving at the Missionary Training Center. The two "youngsters" in the back are our afternoon teachers. The last four days have been AMAZING. I've had so many beautiful spiritual experiences that feed my soul. The two couples with us in the photo will leave the MTC tomorrow. We have another week of training before we head for Canada.

Our district and our instructors

Two more of our instructors

And this is what we accomplished!

Can't be in the MTC without getting a picture of where we're going!

The Canadian Flag

Although we our classroom was not in the new section of the MTC, we were able to go there when we had the time.  The art work is stunning.  The murals depict important events in Mormon history as well as scriptural heroes and heroines. They are backlit. My photographs don't do them justice.

And so it begins---

Yesterday Pat and I spoke in church.  After the meeting we visited with so many of our dear friends.  This is a photo of Mr. Nathan Adamson, Michael, and me.  I first met Mr. Adamson when I was a ninth grader when I was in his English class.  He has been a mentor and a friend to me for many years. During my college years I also took piano lessons from his first wife, Ila Mae Adamson. Ten years ago I met him again in the SL Temple.  He is a sealer there and his second wife Carolyn is an ordnance worker.  Then we found out that their grandson, Elder Turcotte, is serving in Montreal!

The time has arrived! We leave tomorrow for the MTC. We head for Montréal on the 7th. So very hard to leave those we love. These photos were taken just after we were set apart as full-time missionaries.  What an honor, privilege, and responsibility to be the Lord's representatives!

Our family: Kevin, Kristina, Marianne, Michael, Sarah, Christopher, and of course, Mei-Mei, the chihuahua!

JoyLyn Clark, Deanne and Denice Long, Sui and Hayley, and Annette with the eight of us

President Steve Crandall, Bishop Paul Ellingson, and Jena Ellingson