4:45 a.m. arrived too early today as we dressed and prepared to trek to Provo to meet the international missionaries to board the chartered bus which was headed to Temple Square, Salt Lake City (about a one hour drive). Of note, only the international missionaries (those who live outside the United States) are give the opportunity to tour Temple Square during their missionary training at the MTC.

Sixteen young women, fifteen young men, and six full-time missionaries (ourselves included) accompanied these set-apart missionaries, eager, and for most, to view Temple Square first hand. If I had a dollar for every photo they shot from their individual digital cameras, I would be a millionaire! Twenty-eight of the missionaries are headed to Russia or Armenia and three back to Tonga. One sister from Armenia commented, "Oh Sister Cook, I feel like I am dreaming! All my life I've seen these sites in The Liahona, but now I am seeing them with my eyes!" They were even taking pictures of pictures! How humbling and overwhelming to realize these young people's dreams are being realized.