We had a wonderful and marvelous devotional with all the missionaries and leaders (again we saw and visited with the Stotts). Elder Boyd K. Packer 2was our speaker -- how awesome is that?! What a privilege to attend such a special meeting. It was awesome! Prior to the meeting, I turned to see the young missionaries entering the building from the upper level. It was so cool to see them streaming in two-by-two -- hundreds of them! The sacrament was served to this congregation of thousands! It was very organized. What a special experience that was, as we watched the sacrament being served first to President Packer! Loved it!
Elder Allan F. Packer of the Seventy (and President Packer's son) also was at this meeting and spoke to use. His message was that we focus not on the cross and death, but on the coming forth. He said having a testimony of the prophet is not enough -- we must "look up" to find out if something is true. We must study and learn the language of the Spirit. And teach it.
President Boyd K. Packer explained that his health problems stem from childhood polio, which he had when he was about 10. He said he is grateful it waited until he was 80 to manifest itself again, but wished it could have waited 20 more years. He counseled us to look to the Almighty for strength and power. "You have that even when you are alone." "The Book of Mormon teaches in simple terms, 'Why Christ?'" He unlocked the prison doors. There has to be a price paid -- repentence could not come to man except there be a punishment. There must be a price, a ransom, paid. How do you fix what is broken? You can't! But the Lord volunteered willingly to make the sacrifice so that the punishment can be suspended. The Gift of the Holy Ghost is a precious treasure! Learn to follow that. Come to know -- come to trust. Decorate your life with good deeds. [I love that!] Obedience -- it's worth it! He's seen concern and worry in the brethren for these troubled times and the future -- but never fear! ~~ What a spiritual giant he is!
After the devotional we attended a fast and testimony meeting. Elders and sisters from all over the world bore sweet testimonies! They were from: Brazil, Guatamala, Mexico City, Russia, Dominican Republic, Philippines, to name some.
We had dinner at the Wises. It was sooooo good-- salman grilled on a cedar plank (recipe to follow). We met Holly's "man," Parker (and at the time of my typing this, which is a couple weeks after we met him, they are now engaged! - Woohoo!) We noticed that he is already very much a part of this family :) He and Holly were so cute together. ~~
We ate and ran -- attended a Departure Fireside for those for whom it was their last Sunday at the MTC. My favorite part was the cello, violin and piano musical, O My Father -- it was gorgeous!
Here is some counsel we received at the Departure Fireside -- Things to Remember in the Mission Field:
1. You are a representative of Jesus Christ.
2. Your Mission President has been called of God. Honor and respect him.
3. Hard work is more important than intelect. Do NOT waste time.
4. Forget yourself in His service. Don't let anything get in the way.
5. Never permit contention in your companionship. (3 Nephi 11:29)
6. Keep your bodies clean and healthy, clothes clean and pressed, apartments clean and orderly (remember, this is being given to all 2200 of us :)
7. Learn to love and serve the people among whom you serve.
8. Study, ponder, and teach from the scriptures and Preach My Gospel.
9. Know that Lucifer will oppose you. "There's no such thing as a small thing when it comes to obedience." (D&C 128:122)
10. Remember the criticalness of your own personal testimony -- bear it often. Repetition is power.
Hymn 114 - "Come Unto Him" - is President Packer's favorite hymn. We were encouraged to learn it! President Brown said that President Packer is doing "fine" -- he wanted to come do the morning devotional. He reminded us that he is second in authority to President Monson. Said that his method of teaching is vastly different than it was even one year ago. (Not sure what he meant by that.)
Missionaries who serve with honor go home with no regrets!
We then attened a fantastic "Special Musical Fireside" presented by the BYU Men's Chorus. Sweet! I LOVED it! Huge choir -- beautiful music!
Okay, here's the salmon recipe:
Just get a cedar plank from Lowe's or Home Depot (untreated)
Get it very wet.
Wash and dry saomon and place on board.
Make a rub of sea salt, ground pepper, and olive oil & rub onto salmon.
Spread on that a bunch of freshly grated lemon zest and chopped garlic, I think he used four cloves.
Grill.
Keep spray bottle of water handy to keep the plank from burning up -- periodically spray sides and bottom of plank.
I don't know what temp David cooked this at, but let me tell you, it was fantastic beyond words!!!
Monday, April 9: First day of office training. It went good for us. We are fortunate to have a good compuer background -- it has helped a lot!
Gorgeous day! Unseasonably warm. We had our picture taken by a dogwood tree which had huge beautiful blooms on it. I've never seen one before -- so pretty. The grounds here remind me of temple grounds -- they are beautiful.
Today we saw Elder Belnap from Pocatello (I forget where he is going). We ran into him and his mother shopping in Penney's in Pocatello. We tipped them on shopping at Mens Warehouse in Logan. He thanked us for that today.
Tuesday, April 10: I cannot believe how fast the past week has flown by! This evening I'm sitting outside -- it's 6 p.m. and beautiful and warm. (That's supposed to change by tomorrow evening :( just in time for us to pack and travel.) The nice wather reminds me that prior to the start of the evening devotional on Sunday, they announced that the elders could remove their suit coats, quietly. Oh my - there was quite the rustling, along with quiet sounds of joy. Then after the fireside they announed that beginning the following day, the elders no longer had to wear their suit jackets. Quite the excitement over this was heard! So Monday and Tuesday we have seen a lot of white shirts. ~~ So today, Elder Mecham decided to "join the ranks." As we were walking towards the MTC entrance this morning, i really looked at him and realized he had no tie on! (He LOVES wearing ties, right? NOT!) So - back to the car, and luckily he had a tie in the car, and we didn't have to return to the hotel to get one.
When we were walking from our classroom to the lunch building, Elder Mecham held the door (as he always does) for any following elders and sisters. About three sisters entered, then two elders. As I was the first to enter his held door, I just stood there watching, then suddenly realized one of thse two elders was Elder David Archuletta :) Not having prepared myself for such an incident, I pretty much made a fool of myself and said something pretty stupid. I don't even remember exactly what I said. "Oh, how nice he gets to hold the door for you!" of some such ridiculous remark. Then I said I was proud of him. And his companion. And Elder Mecham said, "and everyone." Oh dear! I bet Elder A hates the notoriety. He really is such a cute young elder :)
It has been interesting being at the MTC with David Archuletta. Sister Conover from Brigham City sat by me at breakfast Wednesday. We were discussing Elder A, and she told me she had seen him previously and asked if she could take his picture, and he politely told her no, but he bumped elbows with her (no hand shaking allowed, due to flu). Well, then we saw him browsing around deciding what to get for breakfast. Sister Conover told me to keep my eye on him - "Don't lose him!" - while she ran and got her phone (with camera). She DID take his picture, unbeknownst to him and against her husbands wishes. She was pretty cute. Since I was finished with breakfast, I then walked right past Elder A. He smiled so cute, and I told him, "You are loved, you know." Big smile from him. (Dang -- wish I'd gotten a picture of him!)
Tuesday night devotional was Keith B. McMullin, recently released as a member of the Presiding Bishopric. He gave a powerful talk on God our Heavenly Father. He reminded us that our job, as missionaries, will become routine to us, but never to the people we meet! They will feel something tangible. Heavenly Father has been preparing those we meet and teach. We should pray that the honest in heart will find us, not just that we will find them. He has been teaching them already as best He can and as they have allowed. Investigators must understand WHO God is and what the Godhead is. Invite them to pray -- make sure they know they are praying to God, and no one is between them and Him and that they are His offspring. He will hear their prayers, even if they don't know how to pray. We were reminded to be bold and frequent in the bearing of testimony of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday night, April 11. We are mostly packed and ready. Can't believe how FAST this time at the MTC has gone. It's been so wonderful! The Lord is surely blessing what takes place here. Improvements continue to be made in the program and processes. It is amazing, marvelous, and wonderful! The Lord oversees it all!
Thursday, April 12. Last day at the MTC! We feel good about what we've learned. Having had many classes on computers was extremely helpful. Poor Sister rothman was really struggling -- but she is plucky and determined and has much faith. She will be blessed! We LOVED sister Rothman! She is a single sister going to the office in Columbia South Carolina -- not what she desired, but she is willing to learn. She is 76 years young :) She has had a colorful life and is a recent widow. Her husband was a Jewish convert who wrote, "So How Come a Nice Jewish Boy Became a Mormon." We want to see if we can get that. (Norman Rothman)
Got our bikes from Mary Lou's on our lunch break - barely made it back to class on time.
On the road shortly after 3:30. Rain, wind, sleet, hail! Finally clear skies. Stayed the night in East Las Vegas at a Comfort Inn.
Friday, April 13. On the road to Oxnard! Oh man! It rained on us a lot the last half of the journey. Where's the sunny skies we were expecting in "sunny" California?
We made it! Nothing in our apartment except a bed :) We did not turn our heat on in the apartment the first night, and it was pretty chilly -- didn't get bedding until the next day. Well, here we are, ready to serve the mission president and missionaries in this part of the Lord's vineyard!
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