MTC

We've been here at the Missionary Training Center for one week today. What an amazing and wonderful experience this is. When we first got here (our son Bill brought us - just like we brought him 23 years ago) the missionaries took all of our suitcases - 4 big ones and 4 check on bags and took them to our apartment. They welcomed us. The people coming in right behind us were Elder Ken and Sister Karen Garner. They were in the apartment right across the hall from us. We have a life long friendship now. We just felt like we'd always known each other. They left this morning for Equador - but we've promised to get together after we get home. They live in Washington State. We will be emailing, too.

OK, about the MTC. We walk down the sidewalks and all the young men are in suits and ties and the young women are in dresses. They all say "Hi, Elder and Sister" very respectfully with beautiful smiles and hold doors open for us.

But, you should see the cafeteria! There are 2,000 young missionaries (Elders and Sisters), so when it's time to eat that cafeteria is just packed with long lines. But they are told to always let the senior missionaries (that's us) cut into the lines. And they do!!! And smile the whole time. The food is really good - darn it - we're eating way too much. They feed all the people in 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Just amazing. I'm going to try to get a picture of the cafeteria - they don't want cameras in there because it causes too much confusion - too many wanting to do it - slows down the whole thing.

We went to a July 4th program on Saturday night. Two thousand young Elders and Sisters and 50 senior missionary couples - plus all the people in charge of the program. It was awesome. I'm going to have to use that word a lot - it just is. To hear all those voices singing America the Beautiful and the National Anthem - Bill and I were crying so hard we couldn't sing. They had bagpipes and drums, etc. march down the isles and play and flags from all the missions represented march down as well. There are 22 different countries represented here. (I mean that there are missionaries from 22 different countries) That is truly preaching the gospel to the four corners of the world. One missionary sang a solo of God Bless America. What a magnificent voice. We had a whole program of patriotic stuff - then we went outside for ice cream bars - Haagen Daus - to watch the fireworks from the Stadium of Fire. Every year the Osmonds put on this show in the BYU football stadium that ends with fireworks. Very impressive.

Sunday night we had a fireside. And you wouldn't believe - we had Jenny Oaks Baker (a world famous violinist - who is a member of the National Orchestra in Washington, D. C.) She played and between each hymn that she played, she bore her testimony about something that had happened in her life that was applied to the hymn that she played. Her husband and three children were there and they played in a quartet - I Am a Child of God - piano, violin, cello. It was a beautiful and inspirational evening.

I'm skipping around a bit, but I can't even recall some of the stuff right now and I want to get this posted. But, I really wanted to mention what we heard in one of our classes. Elder Jeffery R. Holland's wife translated a French poem and likened it to going on a mission when we're all so scared and lonesome for home. I'll never forget that poem. Here it is:

He told me to go to the edge

I said no, I would fall

He told me again to go to the edge

I said no, I would fall

He told me to go to the edge

So, I did

And he pushed me off

....And I flew!

Every day is full to the brim of the most sweet, peaceful, joyous things. Bill and I can't contain it all. We are loving every minute of being here of sharing in the beautiful Spirit that's here. I will post again next week, just before we leave for London. Heavenly Father's blessings be with each of you.