NOVEMBER 29-DECEMBER 12 2021

(1st Journal entry of our mission)

“I LOVE WEARING A MISSIONARY NAMETAG ! I love my name linked to the name of Jesus Christ. This has been a special first week in the MTC.  I definitely have felt ‘heaven on earth’.  We are in the world, but not of the world as we are here.  But we are buoying ourselves up as individuals and companions to go out into the world of Manchester England to help others find ‘heaven on earth’.  Our district companions have been amazing.  From a couple ages 77, both converts, who have already served 3 missions together, to another couple from Canada who wanted to serve outside their country and were called not far from their home to live on a First Nation reservation in a trailer, and a third couple, youngest of all of us, ages 58, going to Portugal where she doesn’t know the language, so will speak the language of “love”.  We rounded out the district, just grateful to be a part.  This is my first ‘journal’ entry, and I am finding it hard to write ‘I’ or ‘we’ because it is both.  So grateful my eternal companion is my missionary companion.”

Two weeks in the missionary training center (MTC) IN Provo, Utah. WOW!  Each day was packed from morning to night with study, devotionals, instruction, and classes taught by young returned missionaries.  Each one was powerful in their teachings and testimonies.  We made some special friends with three other senior couples in our group going to different places in the world.  The best part?  Serving with my eternal companion.  The next best part? Receiving our missionary badges.  I felt an extra portion of Heavenly Father’s love when I put it on.  I am thankful to be able to serve HIM for the next 18 months.

And…beautiful baby Capri was born, 4 weeks early, but healthy and perfect.  Such a miracle blessing for Rob and Miranda and we are all so so happy for them. This is our first blessing from Heavenly Father as we serve