Week One Survived

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.....right?  It would have helped if we had been all moved in without one more box to unload.  It would have helped if we were on site.  At that, this has been one spiritually saturated week.  Tomorrow 134 senior missionaries come into the MTC and top our record breaking group by 33 missionaries.  We are now called the tsunami of missionaries and not the wave.  It is awesome to be part of this great work right at this time.  I must say a few things about Utah.

1.  It is hot....but it is a dry heat.....a fact I will appreciate more when I get to the humidity of Illinois.
2.  The MTC is staffed by 5,000 people.  2,000 of those are paid staff to fix meals, teach, clean the facility etc.  the other 3,000 are unpaid volunteers who come from their various communities to be Branch Presidents of the 200 branches here or Sunday teachers, or support staff.  It is amazing to me that there are 3,000 missionaries here and 5,000 people to make sure our experience here is amazing.
3.  We went out to eat at Olive Garden Friday night and the staff were tripping over themselves to make sure we had a good experience ....this black name tag is like magic in Utah.  They appreciate us and the sacrifices we are making.  The manager came to our table with a slab of chocolate mouse dessert on the house.  Guess we looked malnourished or something. Then we stopped at a fruit stand on the side of the road and they forced free produce on us.  We paid but they insisted we take extra.  Talk about special treatment.
4.  Our children and grandchildren have helped us for hours to unload boxes and set up our home.  They have also respected this sacred stewardship at this time and allowed us space to have the MTC experience.  Other couples have told us of late night phone calls from adult kids who want mom and dad home to help in their crisis.  Thanks, kids, for being who you are.
5.  Living without a frig stinks but at least we have a freezer to make ice for the cooler and to keep ice cream in.
6. What a treat to be here and share this whole experience with Rachel Clair and Paige Oliver.  The energy is contagious and we have needed it.
7.  You don't share your life experiences here or church callings or anything.  We taught one lesson to less actives and they said afterward..."you two are naturals.  You must have both been teachers."  We have prepared for this all of our lives and it just feels right.  It isn't scarey if you let the Spirit take over.
8. Part of our group have left.  The Fredleys left for Mongolia where he will be the branch pres. And she will be the primary pres.  The Murrays will leave for Nauvoo for their second mission.  He will handle the horse teams that pull the wagons.  The Mcintyres leave for Mexico City, then Fayette, N.Y., then Rome, Italy.  His mission papers were stamped Ex. Con.  We have laughed about that all week.  He is 58 and in construction.  They will work on Exhibit Construction in all of those places.  We will be opening up a new office in Chicago for one of the new missions.  They say office couples are at a premium right now.  How exciting. We have grown to love each one of these couples.
9. Lest we judge Utah Mormons harshly....they make up 40% of all the senior missionaries here right now.  When Elder Holland was here he had the senior missionaries stand up and he said to the young missionaries, " Now they are living the law of consecration."  (This wasn't this week)
10.  I have learned the importance of choosing your companion wisely because seniors are together their whole missions, 24/7.  Bruce has been so kind to get my drinks at meals and clean up the trays.  Giving discussions has been great.  We just seem to know when the other one should speak.  It has gone so smoothly.  Scripture study is fun with a companion.  We started the Book of Mormon again last night.

I'll close with my favourite quotes for the day.
  " Senior couples provide a stability, maturity, and experience non18 or 19 yr. old can have yet."
  " You are not taking two years off from life.....this is real life with a capital RAnd L."
                                      Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

" welcome to the work of angels.  You are those angels."  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

We love what we are doing.  One week to go and we drive to Chicago.  Someone is there for us to love and teach and bring them closer to their Savior.

Love,

Sister Taggart