Our first day at the Provo, MTC, was exciting and overwhelming! This is a city within a city!
This week will be spent primarily is getting the "lay of the land" and attending a variety of meetings to understand the procedures and expectations. We are specifically assigned to work with the international missionaries who speak little or no English, and many will be returning to their native lands to proselyte.

Special highlights were...
(1) ...attending a session at the TRC (Training Resource Center) where missionaries practice presenting their lessons to investigators. What a thrill to witness two missionaries who had only been in the MTC 5 days give their first discussion to a 'prospective' investigator.' The power of their testimony and message was coupled with scriptures, sincere testimony and conviction. The Holy Ghost was powerful and identifiable.
(2) ...rubbing shoulders with the missionaries in the cafeteria and eating lunch with Lora Lee Heaton--what a continual feast to be devoured by all!! Dieting here is definitely not going to be easy!
(3) ...attending the initial orientation meeting for full-time missionaries, e.g. 35 couples assigned to the four corners of the earth, including the newest mission in the church in Napal (formerly in the India Mission). Surprisingly, only 6-7 couples are to serve stateside and many are much older than us. Made us feel young (for a few minutes). One couple will begin serving their sixth mission!

We were reminded by President Boone, MTC President that...
(1) there are three sins, e.g. sin of omission, sin of commission and sin of "no mission." That brought a big laugh!
(2) "when He sends us out to take care of His children, He takes care of our children." (How comforting._
(3) when a church member was challenged by someone who asked why God made Moses and his people wander for 40 years when they could have crossed over the Jordan River within two months, he returned the question with another question. "Why did God give us 40 feet of intestines when two would have reached? Both were refining processes." (Chuckle, Chuckle)

While being introduced to many of the part-time missionaries and volunteers that we will be working with, many commented, "How did you get so lucky to serve here? This is the best place in the entire world!" We feel humbled and blessed to be here.

Of special note, Elder Edgely of the Presiding Bishopric will be the featured Devotional speaker tomorrow night, Tuesday. We look so forward to attending the Tuesday evening devotionals where General Authorities come to speak and motivate by the Spirit!!

As our responsibilities and schedules unfold, more info will follow.

God bless you all in your righteous endeavors. KEEP THE FAITH and KBATN. Love, Mom and Dad/Steve and Lola