Email synopsis

I know I haven't been very good at the updates but I'll try to do better.
We are busy here because we have homework every night.  And because I'm a little slower than most, it takes me the evening to do the homework.  Last week we learned from the Preach My Gospel manual and this week we get two days of CES (S&I) training, followed with military relations training for three days.  Then, I think, we will be on out way.  Friday's training will be at the Church Office bldg.  We will leave from there to go back to Rexburg and pack the car then leave on Saturday.  We will have Monday with the couple who we are taking the apartment from and move in on Tuesday.  I think our first priority will be groceries and household items and then we'll see how we progress.

We have had wonderful experiences here.  Sunday evening we had a fireside and then a taped devotional given by Elder Bednar at the MTC on a Christmas Sunday.  It will as given several years ago but was so powerful. It showed such a fun side of Elder Bedar but also his great teaching ability.  It brought back a lot of memories of the office and what a blessing it was to have been able to work with him.  They have retained this devotional for only missionaries at the MTC. 

Food here is OK.  There isn't too much that entices me.  The good thing is the young missionaries can have as much as they want.  The BYU Creameries comes twice a week and sets up an ice cream bar.  They do make good ice cream.  The soups and the wraps haven't been too bad.  I don't know how the long term missionaries make it.  (By long term I mean that some are here for 9 to 12 weeks. ). 

We have team taught investigators, been taught, studied, learned how to teach the CES way, which is a new and pretty good way, plus mingled with elders and sisters from all around the world.  


Sunday we ran into some old Rexburgites, Kent Brooks.  We have met people from St, Anthony, Blanding, Utah, Lacey Washington (this is where our friends McClellans live), Rigby Idaho, Canada, institute students of our nephew Chris, and etc.  It never ceases to amaze me how our lives are intertwined.  When you add the military with the Church, we are all one big happy family.  We have a couple in our group that are from Colorado Springs and will serve at the Air Force Academy.  Believe it or not we have a lot of names in common from when we lived at the Springs.

We have missionaries in our group going to Tonga, Finland, Ireland/Scotland, London, Rome Italy, Australia, New Zealand and all the way from Florida to Washington state.  The one mission that is not in our group, of which we were all surprised, was Africa.  It has sure been wonderful meeting so many new people.  We have given our Scotland friends the names of the Ladle's in case they ever run into them.  The Australian missionaries are going to Brady's old mission.   We have searched the mission president's board to find our friends currently serving.  There is a bunch!

I know some of you wont relate to parts of this email but I don't have time to tailor one for everyone.  Please forgive me.  If any of you are wondering about a mission, please wonder no more.  Don't wait until you are too old to serve.  There will always be a reason not to serve but one must know your own heart.

Our love and prayers are with all of you, family and friends and other missionaries.  We are forever indebted to Brady and Mindi for watching over our home and possessions.  We miss our grandkids but know that we will all be blessed through this experience.