Last Week in MTC!

The first Sunday here at the MTC we were assigned a branch to attend.  There were four senior couples in our branch along with about 40 sisters and elders.  It was Fast Sunday so we had the opportunity to hear many testimonies.  After Sacrament Meeting we attended the Mission Conference where all three members of the MTC Presidency spoke. Then at 7 pm we attended a fireside with Gerald R. Williams and his wife, Claudia.  Brother Williams is a district president here at the MTC. They were wonderful speakers.  I especially enjoyed Sister Williams.  She talked of her mission in England.  Brother Williams was her Zone Leader.  They got together a year after their mission.  She told of some kids that she worked with on her mission.  A sister and brother were finally allowed to be baptized. About twelve years ago Brother and Sister Williams were called as Mission President to England and who should they replace but the brother that Sister Williams had taught years ago.  It was a touching story to hear what had happened over the years to this brother and how he had grown in the gospel.
On Monday we started our CES training.  It was a lot more relaxing than the "Preach My Gospel Training".  This training was done by adult leaders from the CES Program.  They would train us in a section of a lesson then we would divide up in small groups of three and practice.  This went on for a couple of days and finally we got through a whole lesson.  After all the practicing, several people were chosen to teach a lesson of their choice.  Thank goodness we weren't chosen!  Our CES training was over at 12:30 pm on Wednesday.  The testimony meeting that was held at the end of our training was so inspiring.  When that was over we were all ready to get started!
It amazes me to think that just ten days ago we met with these Elders and Sisters as strangers and now we are departing and saying goodbye to dear friends that ,we feel, will be our friends forever!
On Thursday we attended the temple.  It was a wonderful experience to be in the Lord's house and to feel of His Spirit.  I felt Asher there and know that he is happy and supporting us from the other side of the veil.  That gives me comfort and joy.

Jan & Mark

Friday was a quiet day.  We read, did indexing, went to the gym and exercised.  Mark and Jan, Elder Meyers' older brother and his wife, came and took us out to dinner at the Macaroni Grill.  We enjoyed the dinner but the special part was getting to visit with them and feel of their support for us.


Brad & Rae

 Saturday has been a fun filled day.  We exercised, did our laundry and had a fun lunch with Brad and Rae, Elder Meyers' younger brother and his wife.  They took us to lunch a Los Hermanos.  We had fun talking about family and our mission. We felt of their love and support.
Family is such an important part of life.  We want to say thank you to Mark and Jan and Brad and Rae for their visits and love and support.  You made us feel special.  We love and appreciate that!!
Tomorrow will be our last day here at the MTC. We will be leaving on Monday at 8 am.  Our plane leaves the Salt Lake Airport at 11:10 am.  We will fly to San Francisco.  Then change planes and go to Dubai.  We will have a lay over in Dubai of about seven hours.  We will arrive in Columbo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday around 8:45 am. That will be about 8 pm Tuesday night for you here in the U.S.  We're not looking forward to the flight but we are ready to begin our service to the people of Sri Lanka and to the Lord.
HURRAY FOR ISRAEL!