PREPARATIONS AND THE MTC

When our mission call came, the Missionary Department left us about 19 days to get everything ready before reporting to the MTC on Feb. 21st -- get shots, buy clothing, etc. And, on top of that, going through 30 years worth of "things" in our bedroom and boxing it up was a very daunting task. Then, packing on top of that was even worse --

Somewhere under there is our California King bed.

Messy!

...a hand grenade went off maybe?

 Skat thought maybe he could supervise--

and became tired of watching -- and fell asleep in a suitcase.

Even Lena Lee got involved...

and, became as bored as Skat.

Jan doing some actual packing.

More packing.

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DAH REE-SEPSHUN!

We also had a little "reception" at our place the Sunday before we went into the MTC. Mostly, it was family who came. First came the Updikes and then came the Campbells -- shift style, I guess. And, there were others also.

Margaret, Nancy, Jennie and Robert, Jr.

We Campbells, Robert and Margie, John and Janet and Nancy.

We even had some Bench cousins -- sort of. -- Martha Bench and

her hubby, Joseph Ballentyne.

Alaska or Bust!

 

Rick and Lorraine Roberson

Jan and Nancy -- sisters

Hugs all around.

 ...more goodbyes.

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At approximately 11:30 AM the next morning (February 21, 2011), our daughter Lisa with Lena riding as shotgun, dropped us off at the MTC. First, she had to drive us out back to the Couples Building where a gang of Elders waited to tote our luggage up to the third floor into our apartment. Then, Lisa hauled us back to the main entrance to drop us off. I got to hold my grand baby Lena for the last time for at least a year and a half.  I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek and told her, "I love you." and she repeated it back to me. Talk about melting my heart - it just about did me in. Then Jan and Lisa were crying. I hate goodbyes!
 

 This is the first picture I took in the MTC. Jan is reclining on
our apartment bed and reading her Triple Combination. There
was plenty more we had to read to acquaint ourselves with
missionary life.

Jan and I posing in front of a painting incorporating
The Standard of Truth from the Wentworth Letter.

Me, in front of one of the MTC landmarks.

Jan standing in front of another landmark --
the Prophet's younger brother, Samuel Smith, who
was the first missionary of this dispensation.

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

On the first Sunday, we strolled up to the temple. Opposite the Taco bell Chapel (as our kids call it) I had the bright idea that Jess' car would be in the parking lot (that's where he goes to Church). So, we headed over there to leave a note on the windshield of his car. What should we find in the car but Da' Man himself.

PICTURE TIME!

 The happy Mommers!

At the temple --

Some Samoan Elders -- the pure blood of Israel!

 Our best MTC teacher.

This was our second seek district.We were pointing to where we were going.The husband of the couple of the middle was a Navy Captain when he retired. He commanded a swift attack submarine for about five years.

 More senior couples in front of the big map -- couples
with whom we were together for the two weeks.

 The night we boarded the bus for the SLC airport.

 "...leaving on a jet plane..."

Jan talking to Ashley and Lena on the phone while we waited for our flight at the Seattle Airport. Ashely and Lena were in Seattle with family because of the pregnancy problems of her younger sister. It was nice to hear their voices.