The adventure has begun!!!

Well after a five month wait, the big day finally arrived.  We spent our last weekend in the Salt Lake valley. Friday we left our car with Gordon, Marv's brother in Pocatello and drove down with Sam.  We had a very eventful trip.  Just at Tremonton, Utah, we came on a terrible car crash and Sam jumped out of the car and became the EMT/firefighter professional he is and began saving lives.  He was checking one victim when the victim died. Then he hurried to another victim in the rolled over truck and then sped to the third victim (the second victim who was ejected from the vehicle) and opened an airway and kept the kid alive til the ambulance arrived.  He and a fellow firefighter from his team then rode to the hospital with the victim.  It was amazing to see our son doing his job and doing it so well.  We drove to the hospital and picked up Sam and we went on to Park City. 

Sam and Brandon (his teammate) and four other members of Sam's crossfit gym were running a Spartan race in Heber on Saturday.  We spent the night with my sister in Draper and we all attended the race.  It was super hot that day - 100 degrees.  I don't know how the competitors managed to finish.  It took most racers about 4+ hours to finish.

Sam and his group at the start of the grueling 14 mile event.

Sam rolling and sliding down 100 yards of mud under barbed wire

 

Sam near end of run going over muddy slimey wall

 

 

  Sam and parents after the Spartan run

Then on Sunday we rested (just watching the race wore us out) and enjoyed my sister and her husband.  Then bright and early on Monday they drove us to the MTC. 

Bags all packed and ready to load up for our trip to the MTC

What an experience!  Everything is so well coordinated.  Over 100 senior missionaries converged to begin this wonderful adventure.  There are couples going everywhere in the world.  The MTC is huge - over three thousand young single missionaries are here with more coming every week.  Of course, groups leave too.  There are exercise facilities, laundry facilities, a HUGE cafeteria, classrooms, etc.  There is a travel office, post office, medical facilities, a whole city in itself.  Yet all are happy, busy, and kind.  These young missionaries are amazing and inspiring.  They are wonderful.  It makes us old fogies feel tired just watching them run around. 

We get all sorts of "senior perks" around here - from getting cuts in  the cafeteria lines, to lots of time to mingle, rest, and do things.  Our teachers are phenomenal and so kind.  We laugh and learn a lot.  We have a beautiful room on campus at the MTC (Missionary training center) and a "for seniors"only elevator.  When we arrived there were young and enthusiastic missionaries to get us and our luggage to our room and settled in. Then we were whisked off to register and get our schedules and study materials. 

We had a wonderful devotional tonight - they bussed us oldies to the Marriott Center (where BYU plays their basketball games) and had a very inspiring evening.  The main speaker read us some excerpts from his missionary journals - they were pretty funny and inspiring.  He served in the 1980's and shared some tender moments with us.  His lovely wife also spoke and both speakers kept us riveted to our seats.  The missionary choir sang - over 1600 voices strong.  Wow! What fantastic youth we have going out to serve their Heavenly Father.  It is a pleasure to sit with them at meals and they are so fun and bright and caring. 

This week we are studying about sharing the gospel with others.  Things have not changed much in the last forty years in some ways but in other ways everything is new.  Technology is very much different and missionary work is taking advantage of the digital age.  Our niece who is on a mission in the Tennessee mission is now spending some of her time on line with blogs, facebook, and referrals.  Our missionaries will also now give free guided tours of all our local buildings. 

Next week we will learn the office computer systems we will be using in Italy in the mission office.  Teaching me (an old dog) new tricks will not be easy.  But with the help of the Lord and a lot of  our sweat and effort, we will succeed.  Our teachers (newly returned missionaries mostly) are very patient and keep us entertained and loving every minute. 

We keep busy studying, preparing, and practicing in our spare time.  Marv is really doing well in Italian and amazes me at how much he has learned in such a short time.  He is so diligent and determined to master the language while we are in Italy.  He is a great companion and makes me want to be a better person.  Being together all the time has been easier that I thought it would be.  It is true that we can be apart during the day (unlike the young missionaries) but we seem to keep pretty close by most of the time. 

This adventure is truly great.  While we are missing our loved ones a lot, we know that we are in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing.  We wouldn't trade this experience for plain old retirement.  We feel young at heart again and ready to be useful, productive, and active.  I wish everyone could have this opportunity.  It is one of those life-changing events that make earthly life a treat.

Well, time for me to stop rambling.  We are healthy and happy here in Provo.  We miss all of our families and friends.  We are loving life though.  We do wish to thank all of you who have supported us, helped us, driven us, shared with us, played with us, and loved us.  You are all in our prayers daily and we appreciate you all so very much.  Please stay in touch and come and see us!!!