Changing of the Guard

When the Bowens met us at the airport, we hugged and Sister Bowen told us, “This mission is a fast moving train.  Jump on and hold on tight.  You are in for the ride of your life.”  She knows what she is talking about.

 

 

 

We're on Our Way

We checked in at the MTC on Saturday, June 21, 2014.  After checking in and having dinner, they took us in buses to Thanksgiving Point to see the new movie that will be shown at the Legacy Theater at the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg.  It is called, "Meet the Mormons."  It's a fantastic documentary style movie about 6 Mormon families from around the world, designed to introduce the Church to non-members.  Very cool!  Elder Bednar introduced the movie.  They even gave us popcorn and drinks.  I can't wait until it is available as a missionary tool!

Sunday in the MTC was amazing.  The morning started with Sacrament Meeting.  All of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles were there except President Packer.  We are told he will be here on Wednesday.  I can't even describe it!  I sat in the same room and watched the entire First Presidency partake of the sacred emblems of the Sacrament.  I just cried all the way through it, thinking about what an incredible thing I was experiencing.  The tears started while we were singing the sacrament hymn. 

The third verse of "As Now We Take the Sacrament": 

As now we praise thy name with song,
The blessings of this day
Will linger in our thankful hearts,
And silently we pray
For courage to accept thy will,
To listen and obey.
We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full.
We'll walk thy chosen way.

Anaheim here we come!

Then the door opened and in marched several young elders, currently here at the MTC preparing to go to all the world and our hearts were filled with such love for all missionaries!  It was so sweet.  And then when the young man passed the Sacrament to President Monson, he waited until President Eyring and President Uchtdorf received theirs and the three of them ate at the same time.  The Spirit was so palpable you could cut it with a knife.  After the Sacrament, a missionary choir came in and sang the same arrangement of "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today" that our ward choir sang the day we spoke in church.  President Monson was the only speaker.  I wanted to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming.

We are on our way!  After 5 beautiful, Spirit-filled days at the MTC we are headed to Anaheim!