Week 2

Today was our first day in the MTC. WE WERE EXCITED BUT ALSO A LITTLE NERVOUS.  We arrived at 9:30 and went through a series of check-in duties.  We are staying on campus.  We were escorted to our rooms by 2 missionaries that will be leaving for France in the next 2 weeks.  The MTC has the young missionaries treat the seniors with so much respect, it makes you feel so special.   We had a welcome meeting from the MTC presidency and then were given the opportunity to introduce ourselves to each other.  People are going all over the world.  One couple will be serving in Norway 250 miles north of the arctic circle, another in Borneo (ask Maddy where that is).  About 6 couples are here for 6th crossing and another 6 for Marin's cove.    Today was basically information and a pep rally.  The most impressive part of the day for Dad was when they put our tags on us, mine was when the director of education spoke to us and assured us that we were going to have an impact for good on someone's life.  (It was also fun to hear the families voices at FHE tonight).  We were also amazed at the size of the cafeteria , is a football field ha,ha.  I thought many times of Adam having just been here and how much he loved this experience.  Carter too, but that already seems so long ago.  

Day 2 in the MTC:  We started today in a group meeting where brother Peterson taught us from preaching no greater call.  He did an amazing job.  We invite people to learn of the gospel because of the love God has for all of his children and it is such a great opportunity to help them to receive that truth through the spirit.  We then spent the rest of the morning with our district and our teacher brother Barney.  He is a young married guy that has such a great personality.  In introducing ourselves he asked us to include what Disney character we would describe our companion.  Dad said I was tinker bell and although he was being complimentary because he thinks she is cute, I couldn't help but remember Nicole saying she was too sassy and a little sleazy.  I said he was Prince Charming.  Mushy uh!  Brother Barney said he was Flynn Rider.  It fits.  We had a cute girl as our afternoon teacher, that Dad was reminded of a grown up Brooke when he talked with her.  We got to hear Elder Scott Whiting and his wife at a devotional in the evening.  We can relate to Adam saying time is amazing here at the MTC, it seems so fast and yet so much happens in such a short time.

Day 3 MTC:  started the day teaching our first lesson. We met with brother and sister Olsen for a successful experience.  It wasn't as hard as we expected.  Lots of good class time today. We are learning so much. We walked to our trailer to get some change of clothes and then walked to the BYU Museum of Art and had the privilege to view an exhibition called Sacred Gifts.  It was a display of Bloch, Hoffman, Schwartz.  incredibly beautiful.

Day 4 MTC. Time is a paradox here, we see what the kids meant.  Another great day of inspiration and knowledge received.  We had a opportunity to teach a man named Jim Wright.  He was a judge by profession.  He was was warm and friendly and we enjoyed teaching him.  We saw 2 people we knew today.  First our darling Courtney Hoskins from our high adventure hike, she is going to Lithuania.  We also saw Larry stuswalter Wendy ???name. From Gridley. He is the new mission president for Mexico City south.  
We got the truck back after several needed repairs, they were cheaper here than in CA.  We went to an institute class this evening and were impressed with an important concept of the importance of asking God questions.  Very good day!

Sat at conference:  what a great day only a few sprinkles. Talks were impressive as usual. Appreciated Hollands talk on how to handle persecution.  Nice girl time at Macy's fashion show.  Good dinner at the plum. But best of all the sweet time spent with each of the children. 

So to finish the week 2.  We just wanted to say how enjoyable conference was, great to be with part of the family but also so wonderful to hear the direction given by God. We loved the admonition to be kind, we can all use that advise.  Love you all.