April 20th and before

Isaac flying

Well I could not stay awake today in Sacrament meeting.  I am sure it was my fault because the Elder that spoke had some good things to say.  I am sure it is because I am taking too much Trazodone.  They had a return missionary speak that just returned from Argentina.  Apparently he was one of Sammy's teachers before he left on his mission because Nathan invited him into Primary to listen to Sammy give his talk.  Sammy did a good job giving his talk but the person helping him whispered the talk to him so he whispered it to the audience until he got to the end and he whispered, "In the name of Jesus Christ,"  and then he shouted "Amen".  Typical Sammy.

We took the kids home after church to keep them for a while.  Larry had not felt like going to church because he was sick.  So he had cooked chicken and had a vegetable made and we had fruit salad from last night so we were able to get them fed quickly.  They had brought a whole sack full of things that they got from the Easter Bunny so then they began playing with the things they brought.

David Hanging out on the Slide

They have a tradition here that I had not heard of.  It is Fiesta time here in San Antonio.  They have these brightly colored eggs call "casdcons" that they throw at each other and they break up into confetti they come in egg cartons just like eggs and look like eggs .  The kids brought some but I make them go out to the patio to throw them at each other.  It looks like it is fun but a huge mess.

Maggie on the swing

We also played a My Little Pony Rainbow game.  They have to spin a dial and depending on what the ponies land on they try to build a rainbow before the sky becomes completely cloudy.  It was a fun game but Isaac and Maggie thought it was more fun to throw the rainbow block pieces at each other!!

We had set up to

Maggie and Sammy Rolling Eggs

Skype with Nikki and the kids between 5-6:00 PM.  When the kids were still here at 5:10 p.m. I decided to just Skype anyway.  It was good to see the kids again.  Myles has grown a lot.  He ran across the room tonight and he was barely walking when we were there in September.  Abbie read us a book about 10 scoops of ice cream.  She is reading well and in September Nikki said she had no desire to learn.  It was good to talk to Lexie and Ashton.  Lexie has been in a couple of plays this year in school and is sewing several projects Ashton told us about what they got for Easter.      Sara came to get the kids while we were talking to Nikki and the kids.  So they were able to talk to them for a few minutes also.  Nathan spent some time talking to them also.  We talked to Nikki and the kids for about an hour.

We then took some time to relax for a few minutes.  After that we had some dinner.  Then we talked to Kirsten and her kids for about 45 minutes.  Taylor was cute.  She was excited to see Grandpa at first.  Kirsten said that she misses coming to our house and watching Disney Jr.  Kirsten also talked about their getting together with Erick and Heather and rolling Easter Eggs in Logan.  Apparently Ryker and Taylor really had a good time rolling eggs together.

David Set to Roll

Sammy with a yolk to roll

On Saturday Larry and I went to Weight Watchers.  We got lost again with the GPS so I went into the website and looked for different directions and we finally found it.  We actually stayed for a meeting.  A person that we had met in December at the meetings in Schurz was working there and she actually remembered me.  I lost 4.4 lbs and Larry lost 1.0 lbs which is a miracle because we are faced with constant temptation to eat things that are high sugar in the mission office.


Sara brought the kids at about 1:30p.m. and we initially went to a park that is just down the road from the apartment to see if there was a place to roll Easter Eggs but there was not a place so we went to a place below the apartment where there appears to be a small dam.  It was pretty steep but the eggs rolled easily on some tire tracks that had compacted the grasses growing on the hillside.  David was the first to have an egg go to the bottom of the hill but eventually they all had one that went to the bottom.  Nathan and Larry watched from the turn off road and I went with the kids.

Running up and down the hill

Larry and Nathan watching from the road

The kids were too tired to go back to the park after climbing the hill for so many times so Nathan suggested that we get Frozen Yogurt and they were excited about that.  David suggested that we go to Orange Leaf a company that sells Frozen Yogurt.  When we got there I realized why they liked it so much.  It was really built with children in mind and there were lots of choices and toppings.  We had a great time and we ate so much yogurt and toppings that we really were not hungry for dinner.

Larry felt like he overdid though and so that is why he did not feel good this morning.

Riding with Dad after Yogurt

Sammy with his baby Furbee

On Friday I had a big order come in from the distribution center at the mission office so I was unpacking boxes most of the day but I also had baptisms to enter and referrals to enter. I was frustrated because I thought I had ordered on pad of some forms that Larry needs for his job and I got one paper.  I thought I had ordered 10 packs of Baptism and Confirmation forms and got 2 and a half boxes.  I think that I ordered 250 thinking that I was ordering the number I needed and those ended up being packs.  It is frustrating that they are inconsistent about how you have to order them.  I think I can send the excess back.   It was a busy day.  Larry got some bike rakes that he had ordered in as well but he did not have to unpack them.

David and Sammy playing

Friday we had a couple from the mission the Studevants come and visit with us at lunch and bring a lunch for us to eat.  They are a military relations couple and they want to help Nathan.  We found out that they are serving the mission from home and live here in San Antonio.  They thought that they could help Nathan get a VIA tram pass to ride the handicap bus.  After they came Nathan went down to the business center and printed out an application.

Maggie throwing rainbow blocks at Isaac

Nathan had a friend invite him to go to the show with him on Friday evening.  So he went with him and Larry and I had the night to our selves.  It was a funny feeling.  We went and bought dinner because we were tired from the Mission office.  We went to Whataburger with some coupons that came to the office.  I was shocked at the size of their hamburgers.  Then we took my new phone to the AT&T store at the mall to have it set up and transfer my contacts.  That took about 2 hours so we went home after that and watched a "Bones"  TV show while waiting for Nathan to get home.  It didn't take long. He and Jason went to see "Frozen"  which surprised me.

Well Larry tells me it is lights out for missionaries so I will close for now.

Taylor and Kyle coloring Easter Eggs

Taylor and Kirsten

Heather, Ryker, and Jon Rolling Easter Eggs

Erick, Ryker and Taylor Rolling Easter Eggs

Erick, Ryker, Easter Bunny, Jon, Taylor

April 17th and before

The weather is crazy in San Antonio.  If it says it is going to be 80 degrees in Utah then it is usually sunny and bright.  Today it was supposed to be 80 in San Antonio but it was cloudy and drizzling rain all day.

Nathan reading to Maggie at the house

Today I was able to talk to some of the people that help Nathan find ways to get help.  I am gradually learning all of the things that he is involved in so I can help him.  He got his VA disability determination papers in the mail a couple of days ago and so he has been busy getting me to help him with some of the paperwork that he needs to do.  I have also helped him with paperwork for the divorce so we have been busy this week.  I was impressed today because he went to the business center here at the apartment today by himself and printed out the papers he needed to apply for a school loan waiver because of his disability.  We filled them out tonight and they are ready to go.  He is really very adept at working with the computer and Ipad and his phone.  He has also been very helpful in helping to navigate through San Antonio.

I love the expressing of love on his face in this picture

We were supposed to have lunch with some Senior Missionaries that have taken Nathan under their wing because they are military relations for the church at Fort Sam but she got sick today so we will meet with them tomorrow.

Larry had several problems with the cars that he had to deal with today.  He had to drive to an Enterprise dealer that was about 20 minutes away to sign some papers because they would not take the credit card over the phone.  He has to meet with the AP's tomorrow to go over the spread sheets.  With his job he gets about 4 phone calls an hour about something to do with the 97 cars that they have in the mission.

One more of reading...looking down to read the words

Work at the mission has become comfortable for me.  There is something new I have to learn each day but there are a lot of things that I am comfortable with.  Today I learned that the full time missionaries cannot go into the jails and prisons but there is a mission for Seniors in Salt Lake that sends out materials like Books of Mormons and writes letters to people in prison and jail.  It is okay for the ward and stake missionaries to go into the prisons but not the full time missionaries.

I think it is interesting that they get the day off of school for Good Friday here.  I guess every place has their important days off that are different from other areas.

Yesterday I took the morning and helped Nathan with some papers for the divorce and went to the bank and changed his address and had a paper noterized for the divorce lawyer and went to the post office and put in change of address for Warm Springs and for his home temporarily.  We also went to Warm Springs and talked to them about forwarding the mail that comes.  I had to go back to the office in the afternoon.

Larry finally got so sick with the cough and congestion he had that he went to the VA as soon as we woke up yesterday at 6:00 am and he was there until about 1:00 pm seeing a doctor and getting his prescriptions transferred to the VA here.  They said that he had bronchitis and gave him an antibiotic and some medicines for the congestion and cough.  He said that he is not completely better but then I remember when I felt that way so I have faith that he will get better.

We worked the afternoon at the mission office and then we went to HEB, a Texas grocery chain that is everywhere here and a pretty good store, to get groceries for a while after dinner.  It was late when we got to bed and we were all too tired.

Tuesday was a pretty normal day at the mission office.  Nathan wanted to go out and read to the kids that evening and surprise them.  Maggie really enjoyed having him read to her and was dancing around very happy.  Sara was not so happy and Nathan got upset.  I realized that it would be better if he was not around her much because he gets really upset with her when she is around, which is understandable.

I received my new phone yesterday in the mail but did not have time to go get it switched over today.  Maybe tomorrow.

April 14 and before

Isaac in his ninja suit

Nathan downloading a game with Sammy

Sleeping Maggie

We have three of Nathan's kids with us tonight.  Isaac and Sammy are playing and Maggie is asleep on the couch.  Nathan found a fun game for them to play on the Ipad where they can take pictures of themselves talking and making funny pictures.  Isaac is dressed in a ninja costume that Nathan got for him.

A sister in the mission with Sister Williams and me

Today was the first day I felt competent at the mission office.  I was able to help Sister Williams learn how to make an order for Stationery and as I was doing that I figured out why we could not get the scanner to scan a document to the computer.  After much trial and error I found out that the ability to scan to the computer had been disabled.  I finished all of my referrals and was able to help Sister Williams and then input the weekly reports to two different programs for data on Baptisms.

Larry with Elder Williams the Housing and Finance person in the middle

Larry spent a lot of time working out things for a recall on certain Chevy models and helping the missionaries that were involved in an accident on Sunday.  He also had to order some bike racks for some of the mission cars.

We usually start our day at 6:00 a.m.  Nathan usually needs to get up then and I help him get into his wheelchair and then he goes into his bathroom and goes to the bathroom and showers all by himself.  Usually Larry and I read from the Old Testament made Easier and have our morning prayer while he is doing that.  Then I go in and help Nathan get dressed while Larry gets dressed.  Then Larry makes breakfast which is usually cereal and I get dressed and then when we are all dressed and have eaten then we leave for work at the mission.

At a Senior couples dinner we had on Monday the 7th

We go to the mission about 8:30 a.m.  Nathan is alone for about 3 hours usually.  He does various things by himself during that time.  He may have therapy or he may do some therapy on his own.  He likes to have Star Trek on or sometimes another movie for background noise he says.  He also writes a lot of letters and texts people and other things on his phone and Ipad.  We come home and eat lunch with him about noon but it can vary depending on what we have to do at the office.  Then we leave until about 5:00 p.m.  but sometimes it is later.  Nathan is usually alone but sometimes he has visitors and he has been having the missionaries come and talk to him lately.

Brother and Sister Sturdyvant the military relations missionaries have options to help Nathan

Tonight we went to a barbecue place on the way home called Two Brothers and got some Texas Barbecue and had that for dinner.  I think that Nathan and Larry really liked that.  Usually in the evening we have dinner and work on projects that need done and then we listen to conference talks with Nathan and then we go to bed.  I only have to help Nathan in bed because he does not have a headboard to pull himself up to because he is stubborn and does not want to have any hospital beds.

Nathan at the Senior Dinner everyone fell in love with him, many have military backgrounds

We had our phones on silent and so we did not get some texts from Nathan so we didn't know he wanted to go to the house to see the kids tonight so he had texted Sara and asked her to bring up the kids here.  David stayed home because he had homework to do.

Last night I found several pictures that I had taken during the last few weeks so I thought that I would upload those and talk about them.  We have a few pictures of the dinner that we went to at Keith and Chris's when they have their whole family over for dinner.  It was good to see their family before we left.  He has a grandchild Tregan that talks as much and is as friendly as our Abbie.  He also has a granddaughter Jenna that looks enough like Maggie that they could be twins.

At Keith's house for dinner before we flew down.

We also had to help get the meal for lunch and dinner for when the new missionaries come in.  The last Missionaries came in on April 2nd.  We had a long subway sandwich for the lunch and we talked and then the missionaries were taken to the Alamo and challenged to give away a Book of Mormon while they were there.  Then they came back in the evening and we had a dinner of Texas Barbeque and they visited with President Slaughter.  They took pictures in his backyard and we were included because we had just got there the week before.

Keith and Chris's Grandkids

Apparently the Senior Missionaries get together after every transfer for dinner so we were able to go to San Marcos for dinner with them and Nathan was invited also. We ate at a restaurant called Grins It was fun to get to know many of them and they really were good to Nathan.  Elder and Sister Sturdyvant the military relations couple came to church this week in Nathan's ward and are wanting to get involved in helping him with the different programs that are offered also.  Although Nathan has many advocates trying to help him get what he needs.  Tonight Sara brought him his packet from the VA about his retirement so he has been reading that.

Keith's granddaughter Jenna looks like Maggie I think

The final pictures are of the grandkids swimming in the hot tub in our apartment community building.  It was cooler that day so they stayed indoors but this last Saturday they swam in the pool.  But my phone is damaged so I was not able to take pictures of the pool.

Compare to Jenna, this is Maggie

One last thing.  Friday night I mentioned that I was concerned about the money because our renter had not paid.  On Saturday I was praying about how I was going to make things work.  I didn't get an answer right then but I went to take Nathan in the van to get a new phone charger and all of a sudden the idea came to my mind of how we could get the money that we needed immediately.  It was amazing.  It is truly wonderful how the Lord is taking care of us on this mission.  We feel his help everyday.  The Gospel is true and the Lord truly does bear you up.

The new missionaries that came into our mission on April 2nd

Elder Presser and Me with President and Mrs. Slaughter and the new missionaries

Sammy, Isaac, and David enjoying the hot tub at the apartment

Maggie enjoying our hot tub

April 11th and a little from before

Today was one of the most peaceful days of the mission.  It was quiet at the office and I got all my baptisms entered into the Convert Data Entry System and all of my referrals sent out to the missionaries in the mission.  We even made it home for lunch relatively on time at 12:30 pm.
I then worked on learning the email system they use at the mission and sent off an order for Mission Name tags before I went home.

Larry spent the day trying to figure out why they do the mileage system they way they do in this mission and then he got a recall at the last minute on some of chevy cars we have and had to start calling the missionaries.  We are all still learning in the office but it was really pleasant today.

Often the mission assistants are there in the office in the morning and so I have to find something else to do while they use my computer.  But they are such great people.  They are always so friendly and always wanting to know if they can help.  Nathan decided that he wanted the missionaries to come and teach him that are in the ward that we live in and they came the other day and worked with him and apparently Sara showed up and they taught her too.  They were pretty excited about it.

Nathan at Warm Springs

Nathan moved in with us on the 1st of April as he had to be out of Warm Springs because he has had a change in care associated with his retirement.  It was a pretty overwhelming experience.  He just came home and we had no facilities for him.  I had to help him shower and go to the rest room but now he has a bar between the shower and the toilet he can do all of that by himself.  I just have to help him dress some and he has some good ideas on how to help him.  I generally have to help him get into bed also but that is a good time because he seems to enjoy that time. He is adjusting pretty well but I am not understanding how to get him the help he needs.

 I feel like the whole load of taking care of him was dumped in my lap but that is not true.  I just do not understand the military system of care for the veterans and it is hard to figure out in three days.  Nathan wanted to move home but Sara needed some place to live until she can get a job and the house needs to be remodeled some before he could be there.  We showed him the apartment that we had for the mission and they told us that we could have him move in with us and it all seemed to be the perfect thing to do for now.

Larry and I with President Slaughter

It was frustrating for the lady that was training me that I had to go to different things for Nathan to get him settled but I did learn a lot and she has been kind enough to talk to me now she is home when I come upon something I cannot do.  It was also frustrating for me because I knew that I needed to be there to be trained and I also knew that I needed to get Nathan setteled.  On the day of new missionaries coming in I knew that I needed to go so I could learn what needed to be done but at that point Nathan did not have his bar in the bathroom so he could be independent about going to the toilet.  I thought that maybe he would be okay but that morning I realized that he would probably fall if he did not have someone there to help him.  I prayed to Heavenly Father and realized that I could call Bishop Alonzo and ask him to help me.  He is Nathan's bishop and we are attending his ward. He was busy but he said that he could add me to a facebook group that the ward had created and I could ask there.  Before I had time to do anything except say yes to his request for friendship so he could add me to the group a young person in the ward had said that he could help.  When I called him he said that he could stay all day.  I felt like it was a blessing from Heavenly Father because I should have called earlier but he knew that I was not aware of what was going on until that morning and he provided someone that I could trust to stay with Nathan.  Reed Johnson stayed with Nathan that day and most of the next until we could get a bar put in for Nathan and that bar made all the difference for his independence.  But Reed should have many blessing for being able to come that day also if I have anything to say about it.

Nathan wonderful new handicapped equipped van

Wednesday and Friday were Ethan and Kallise's birthdays this week.  I finally was able to send them a card and we scheduled a time to Skype on Sunday.

Showing Nathan's van.  He rides in the passenger side

One thing that was frustrating about the last two weeks was that I didn't have the computer to do many of the things that I usually do.  Sending Birthday cards is one of those things and I am so glad to finally have the computer back with a charging cord so I can do those things.  Nathan needed some help with documents to fill out and we needed to order internet and I needed to find out about my prescriptions being transferred and I had to contact people and it was hard to do without a computer.  Luckily I got a phone just before we left that was easier to use the internet on and I was able to do much of that on line on the phone, but then I dropped my phone and it did something to the graphics and the screen the graphic float like ink and the screen is much darker so I can't see it in the light outdoors.  I have been trying to get a new one through insurance and they are making me upload all kinds of documents on line to prove that I am who I am to get another phone through insurance so that just added to my frustration. 

Often when people would call or we needed to find out something we were using the phone for GPS and so it could get a little hairy when someone would call and we were trying to find our way somewhere and Larry couldn't hear the GPS so we have been lost more than once. Sometimes though it was just because we had problems understanding the GPS.  I don't know what we would have done without the GPS though because San Antonio is such a big city and I really can't figure out the landmarks.  We have finally figured out how to get to the mission office from where we live and we can get to Nathan's church and his home without to much frustration but often we have turned on the GPS and we have been amazed that it guides us to go the opposite way of what we thought. 

Today we just came home after working at the office and ate with Nathan.  We were burdened down because we have little money left and our renter cannot pay her rent so we are at a loss as to how to manage our money when it is not there.  But I have to have faith that it will work out.

April 10th

Nathan outside after the Bingo night at the Warrior Family Support Center

Isaac playing on the playground at the WWFSC

I am so sorry that I have not posted for so long.  We ended up staying with Mom over the weekend and then our car could not be fixed because the wrong part came in.  So we were trying to decide what to do and we had a chance to fly to San Antonio last minute on the 25th and take a few things.  I could not find my computer charger and so I finally had to leave and when I tried to do blogger on my phone it would not let me connect to the email I have associated with this account for blogger.  So I was stuck waiting for the time when we would get our stuff that we had left behind.

Nathan, Lorianne the recreation counselor and Isaac

To make a long story short when we waited another week and then they told us it was impossible for us to fix our car and we should just trash it because it was too old at the dealership my brother Keith said he wanted to take it to a mechanic that he knew and see what they could do.  In about a half a day they determined where the problem was and disconnected the safety alarm and the car was running fine.  Which is what Larry and I wanted them to do in the first place but we have decided that the young kids do not know how to fix the cars that are older.  So eventually last Sunday we received our car and all the other things that we had packed for the time we would be here.  And things are beginning to settle down a little bit so I don't feel quite so overwhelmed.

Isaac and Sammy playing at the pond at the WWFSC

I will have to gradually add all the things that have happened in the last three weeks because it is already late and we have to get up early.

Today we worked at the mission from 9-10:15 am and then Larry tried to go to the VA to be seen for the cough that he now has and I went with Nathan to a stroke support group at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation hospital where he was for about 2 months before he moved into our apartment with us.  It was a good presentation about how much nutrition and sleep and exercise contribute to your health and can help you overcome the effects of a stroke.

David sliding at WWFSC

David relaxing across from the pond

At about 4:45 pm we went back to the house and got Nathan to take him to a Wounded Warrier and Family Support Group Bingo Night that they have every Thursday at Fort Sam Houston.  Different groups fix dinner and they always have chocolate milk shakes and then they play six games of bingo and people win donated prizes.  They always have a cow prize of some kind and they have several dinners and a build a bear of some kind.  The wounded warrior can bring all their family with them and it is just a fun time.  Isaac came and played with us tonight and he was given a car bank by the bingo moderator before everything started.  We have yet to win a prize but it is fun and as we don't have to pay anything so it is not gambling.


We got home and had several phone calls and Nathan wrote a letter on his Ipad and we listened to a Conference talk and had prayer and then we went to bed except for me.  Hopefully I can write more tomorrow night but it is late and I need to get up early in the morning.

David telling his dad good bye

Nathan laughing with his boys before he has to leave.

March 21st and before

Elder Presser and Sister Presser in front of the world map at the MTC

Well we were supposed to leave this morning for San Antonio but we are waiting for our car because the part has not come in yet.  It is a little frustrating.  It did not come in this morning so if it does not come in this afternoon with the UPS shipment to the dealership we are stuck here for the rest of the weekend.  We also do not have a way to the family wedding that we planned on stopping at on the way out of Utah today.  We can stay tonight in the housing here at the MTC but after that we would have to move over to Mom's until we get the car.  We are hoping for today.

It has been an exciting and stress filled week here at the MTC.

Sunday was a welcome experience.  We chose to not go to the earliest church meeting and met at the MTC at 9:30 a.m. to watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance broadcast from Temple Square.  It was awesome to see it on the big screen they had in the auditorium.

At the conclusion Elder Thomas gathered up all the men and took them to priesthood meeting in another venue.  Larry has not shared much of what they talked about but he did show me a picture of some people being baptized somewhere in Russia in a lake where they had cut out a block of ice that was two feet thick so they could do the baptism.  Another picture they showed them was of a baptism in Africa where they were baptizing in the river and there were people along side the river with spears to kill the crocadilles that could be in the river.

Anyway immediately the auditorium turned into the venue for Relief Society for all the Sisters on campus.  Sister Carole M. Stephens of the General Relief Society Presidency was the speaker for the meeting.  She started out by asking, "What does the Lord think of as evidence we love him."  then she responded with "Feed my sheep".  Giving the example of the Savior with Peter where he asked him if he loved him and said "Feed my Sheep".

Then she showed us this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBUxy_z4YDg of Christ when he appeared after his resurrection to America and asked us to watch what the Savior did.  Being literal I watched him and wrote down what he did.  I saw him touch, bless, heal, teach, love and bless children.  Many others mentioned that he was ministering to the one.  Several people noticed these things about the video.  A daughter lead her mother to Christ; You don't heal them, I do, Bring them to me; both men and women have gifts that can help in the work; we are going to the spiritually blind; show people the power of god's love;  Go to people on an individual basis.

She talked about Mosiah 28:3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not ^abear that any human ^bsoul should ^cperish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure ^dendless torment did cause them to quake and ^etremble.

She talked about how Ammon was a successful missionary because he loved and served.

She gave an example of how her child was inspired on their mission by the song "I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

She promised us that everyone will be blessed by the love and service that we give on our mission.  We do what we do because we love the Lord.  She challenged us to set a goal of something we could do to be of love and service on our mission.  Then she quoted D&C 84:88 And whoso ^areceiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go ^bbefore your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my ^cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine ^dangels round about you, to bear you up.

After Relief Society they had a short meeting for the Sisters to orient us to the MTC and mission Standards.  The first thing they talked about was how to stress less.  They suggested that we exercise, breath deeply, rest, have good nutrition including balanced meals and plenty of water. They also talked about Spreading the Gospel not germs by Washing hands frequently; Carrying hand sanitizer;  Keeping up with our prescribed medications; Keeping our living quarters clean; and exercising.  They mentioned that we should not wear Spandex but have on loose fitting clothes that can breath.

Next they talked about the clothing that Sister missionaries can wear.  They stressed that we needed to go to missionaryclothing.lds.org and review the standards that are there.  They stressed that we should look modest and professional.  They also stressed that modest is fundamental to feeling the spirit and that obedience brings blessing.

We were able to go to lunch after that.  They did not have a Sunday School session but then we were able to go to Sacrament meeting in one of the Missionary wards there at the MTC.  A Sister Framption talked first and told how she had read the Book of Mormon in only 5 days the first time and that it had changed her life.  And she actually did it as a challenge with some other friends in high school and she was on vacation with her family at Spring Break.

Next an Elder talked.  I did not get his last name.  He based his talk on a Book by Tad Callister.  I thought I would remember the name of the Book but I cannot.  There are two listed on Deseret Book and Wikipedia that he has written, The Infinite Atonement And The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration.  I would think it would be the latter as his talk was also on how he got his testimony of the Book of Mormon.

We sang the song "I know that my redeemer lives" for a rest hymn.

Then a Sister Melville spoke who was the wife of the President of the Stake or something at the MTC.  She talked on the Atonement.  She said that we often feel foolish or weak but we must remember that God has chosen us.  The Lord's promise to Enoch applies to us.  Moses 6:32
Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy ^amouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

 33 Say unto this people: ^aChoose ye ^bthis day, to serve the Lord God who made you.

 34 Behold my ^aSpirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the ^bmountains shall flee before you, and the ^crivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore ^dwalk with me.

She also quoted Jacob 4:6-7  Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of ^aprophecy; and having all these ^bwitnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can ^ccommand in the ^dname of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

 7 Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our ^aweakness that we may know that it is by his ^bgrace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.

She suggested that Moroni and Ether gave examples of Prophets that had been supported even in great wickedness that was in their society.

She then gave the Bible Dictionary definition of Grace.  Grace is  God giving power and assistance to do more than what is within our power.  She said that Heavenly Father needs us and he will give us the strength and power to do what he would have us do.

Next President Melville talked.  He emphasized three questions that we need to answer about the Atonement.

1. What is the atonement and Why is it important?  He suggested the Bible Dictionary for the answer.
2. What qualifications did Jesus have to qualify to perform the atonement?
3. What are the conditions of the atonement?

Then we had to go to a one time departure devotional.  Seems how we were only there for two weeks it came at the first and last Sunday we would be at the MTC.

President Nally the President of the MTC gave the following guidelines for when we are on our mission.

1. You are called from the Lord.  What else matters.
2.  Your mission president is your best ally.  Commit to be righteous.
3. Love all your companions (this should be easy for Senior Missionaries)Be the kind of missionary that can apologize.
4. Love the people.  They will know if you respect them.
5. Bear Testimony as often as you can.
6. Write in your journal daily.
7. Write Home weekly. (this and a weekly email will be our writing home)
8. Work Hard
9. Study the Scriptures especially 2 Nephi 31 and 3 Nephi 11.
10. Try to get a missionary referral before you reach your mission.

Sunday night  at 7:00 p.m.they always have a devotional with someone from the General Authorities of the Church.  As that includes the Seventies now it is a little broader in scope.

They sang the song "Carry On"  I love this song.  I can remember standing and singing this song in Mutual as a teenager and having the spirit testify to me that the gospel is true and that I need to carry on in the work of the Gospel for my family.

The speaker was a Mark Lusvardi who is director of Technology for the Missionary Department.
He stressed three things that we need to be aware of on our missions.

1. What is the spirit teaching me.
2. What is the spirit teaching me that is most important.
3. What do I need to do to be a better missionary.

He began his talk by showing us some pictures taken on a US aircraft Carrier that was coming home from Hawaii after a tour of duty near Afghanistan. He showed us a picture of the ship that came along side as they left Hawaii to put the fuel for the planes on board.  He talke about how it was important for us to refuel every morning by reading our scriptures individually and with our companion.

 He said that working together is what puts you safely on the bridge if you are in communication with Heavenly Father and your mission President.  He talked about how a small amount of being off course with a jet airplane can lead you way off if not corrected but that even the course correction can be costly if in just fuel alone.  He said.  "If you ever get a little off course, make your course correction immediately.  Check in with Heavenly Father and your Mission President.  Stay on course, corrections are costly.

He told how he met a lady named Julia who is Italian who was working at Olive Garden.  He had gone there even though he did not think they have good Italian food because his children wanted to go there and they were honoring the children.  He told how this waitress came out and brought them some bread sticks that were wrapped so that they would stay warm and she showed them how to get them out so that they did not unwrap the others.  Then she brought them some salad and said, "Isn't this a beautiful salad?"  and served it to them.  Then she brought them some more salad and said the same thing and served it to them.  To make a long story short his family fell in love with this lady who was quite elderly and began going to Olive Garden just to see her.  They became so friendly that she calls them often to remind them that she has not seen them at the restaurant.  The whole family love her and she loves them.  He asked, "How much more do you have to give than Julia/"  And then quoted Matthew 37-40  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt ^alove the Lord thy God with all thy ^bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy ^cmind.

 38 This is the first and great ^acommandment.

 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt ^alove thy neighbour as thyself.

 40 On these two commandments hang all the ^alaw and the prophets.

He gave several other scriptures: Alma 17:2-3,11,22; Mosiah 28:3 and asked, "Do you love them enough to teach them.

He admonished us to stay in contact with our converts and showed us several pictures of a family that he was able to teach on his mission in Argentina that they met on a day when the streets were flooding and it was raining but they had the courage to go out and work in the hard conditions.  Now 40 years later they are still active and good friends and the second generation is going on missions.

I know this has been long but I took notes so I could try to convey some of the spirit of the MTC.  Usually I just try to remember what went on in church and then I have lost the words to describe it by the time I type.

Monday through Thursday we were at the MTC learning the general office procedures and programs that the church uses to run the mission offices.  But every session we started with a spiritual thought and song and prayer.  It really made it a spiritual experience!  I should have taken a picture but we were with two single sisters who were going to the San Jose mission named Sister Nedreberger and Sister Wilks.  One was from Ohio and one was from St. George.  We also were with a couple Elder and Sister Crisp that were going to Ghana.  It was a small group but we had a good time learning together.  Our trainers were Brother Hampson from Australia, Brother Chauncey, and Brother Free mostly in the morning and Brother Bennett, Sister Farnsworth and Brother Tyler in the afternoon.  It amazes me how organized the church is in teaching its curriculums.  They have training websites that are exactly like the ones we will use but with other information that we cannot foul up.

I learned the office procedures for several recording things and how to make newsletters in word.  Brother Presser learned the Financial Systems and the things to do with Housing and Vehicles for the missionaries. Elder Presser was in constant demand for help because he already knew how to use Excel.  Sister Kasper one of the missionaries that we will be replacing says we have even more to learn when we get to the mission.

Monday I had to deal with several issues trying to get Nathan a lawyer for his divorce.  Kirsten texted me that she had several job offers and Sara texted me about issues with Nathan's housing so it was a busy day in addition to the training.

Elder Presser started getting the cough on Monday and has been coughing more each day.  Last night he was exhausted so we went and got him some Mucinex.  I hope it will help him and that he does not get so sick he needs antibiotic. I told him this morning if we do not go today or tomorrow maybe it is because he needs to rest before we start to travel.

Tuesday we had a devotional with another General Authority from the Seventy.  I did not take notes for this one but it was wonderful also.  He and his wife both spoke and talked about how the Lords helps you if you turn to him.  The Elder also showed some videos from Public Television about Space and showed how they were proving the things in Moses that were shown to Moses about the universe are now being confirmed by science.  It was a wonderful talk but unfortunately I only have the spirit of the talk inside me because I did not take notes.

Wednesday was the first night we had time to breath but I was too tired to work on the blog.  We get up at 5:30 a.m. here so we have time to eat breakfast at 7:00-7:30 a.m. so we started going to bed by nine so we were not too tired.  However on Monday and Tuesday we slept in because I messed up on setting the alarm.  So anyway on Wednesday I did some emails and read Facebook and went to bed.

Yesterday we finished up at 2:45 p.m.  We went home and cleaned up some and did some things around the apartment and went to check on the car.  The part had not come in so we decided to go to Mom's and do our laundry and tell her about our misfortune as she was expecting us to come there and sleep for the night before we left.  As we had changed our clothes to casual we could not go to the MTC to eat so we went with Mom to Denny's for dinner.  I kind of lost it yesterday and ate several cookies and ice cream so I will probably gain weight this week.  Mom said that I acted like I couldn't get enough to eat.  She gave me a short lecture on how I had to watch what I ate.  We had a good visit with Mom.

So here we are.  We are just leaving to go to dinner and find out what will happen with the car tonight....

So we went to the dealership and our part did not come in.  So that means that we are stuck here for the weekend.  I am so glad that Mom is close by because we have to be out of the MTC housing by tomorrow.  I am sure they would find something for us if she was not here but it is good to have her close.

We went to the cafeteria tonight and they had already canceled our cards even though it had money on it still but they let us eat anyway, we just had to write down our names.

On Thursday I saw John and Brenda Robbins that we knew in Vernal in the 80's and talked to them.  They are going to Kirkland on a mission and came in this week for training.  I didn't think I would see them again but then they were in the cafeteria tonight to sympathize with us.

So we have texted the mission, Nathan and Sara, and Kirsten and told them that we are not leaving until Monday and we just have to pack up and go to Mom's tomorrow.  I guess the rest of the evening will be spent in prayer and meditation on what we need to do.