The Boyters have gone

We had a very nice room on the third floor of the building "M-2". The elders met us as we pulled up and took our luggage to our rooms for us. The elders were always holding the doors for us and eager to help. The elders and sisters had chores assigned to them. When we went down for breakfast at 700 am they would be out with their brooms mops windex cleaning. Always cheerful. While we were at the MTC we had snow. Some of the missionaries from different parts of the world had not seen snow before. Some of the missionaries had not seen mountains either. It was a very new experience for many. Our stay at the MTC was a very spiritual experience with lots of information given to us. Elder Boyter mentioned it felt the information was given to us with the force of a fire hose. There was only so much time and a lot to give us. We spent the first week in missionary training. The second week was church education training. All missionaries working with young single adults had this training. So young single adult missionaries, military support missionaries and church education missionaries stayed for the second week for training. We were done on Wednesday. Our flight was not until Monday, April 1st. So we left and went to St. George to see Uncle Vern and Aunt Moonie then to Cedar City, Utah on our way to spend Easter dinner in Idaho Falls with David and Jared's families.

Wonderful experience

Our time in the MTC was wonderful. I felt joy and such excitement. We met couples going all over the world to serve. Russian, Ukraine, Australia, Indonesia, France, Japan, Scotland-Ireland, Oregon, Mississippi, Washington DC, Canada, etc. Most of the couples had been on more than one mission. One couple served three mission in Southeast Asia one in Cambodia, Singapore, and one other. They are now going to Russia. Another older man has served 10 missions. He is serving with his second wife, it will her first. Both their spouses died from cancer. Between the two of them they have 182 decendants.

Mac's granddaughter's "Wellcoming away"

We were able to go to Mac' granddaughter's farewell for her mission. Mac calls it Wellcoming Away. Sounds upbeat. Andrea is going to Argentina for her mission. She went into the MTC the second week we were there. Did not get a picture of Andrea but got a picture of the three brothers and their wives. Mac and Alta, Brent and Marie, and Scott and Sherrie. While we were at the MTC the sisters reached the same numbers as the elders. The MTC was bursting at the seams with record numbers coming in. It was very upbeat. Languages from all over the world spoken or trying to be spoken. In Andrea's ward they had 27 missionaries with 3 more going out shortly.

This is not where we are going

Saw this picture on the wall at the MTC. We are in a different part of the world, won't have to worry about snow and ice.

A Firm Foundation

Drove by the tabernacle that burned and is now being remodeled and will be a temple. The building has been gutted, the walls stabilized and then the foundation dug out. The walls/building is actually ground level. It will be exciting to see the changes when we get back.

The Jensens

The Jensens are going to San Diego to work with military support. They will be working with Marine recruits when they come into boot camp and with their families. Sister Jensen grew up in St. George. Her father was the mayor there when she was growing up. Brent and her had a great time sharing memories of Southern Utah. We felt a kindred spirit with them.

Hodgmans

Brother and Sister Hodgman are going to Guatemala. It is a new mission for couples. They will be the first couple assigned to this mission. They both have been learning Spanish. They had been helping in the inner city of Salt Lake City with the Spanish speaking people with help paying bills, working with government, etc. They told us they had never ran into a a spanish speaking individual there that was a drunk or had drug problems. They were individuals that had problems communicating or understanding bills and paperwork sent to them. They did not speak Spanish but grew to love working with them. Well now they are speaking Spanish in Guatemala. They are great. Lots of fun and laughter.