Day of Departure

Indonesia.

We are not on a bike mission.

Salt Lake Temple after the Choir show.

Wasatch Mnt range, Provo Temple

We finished the training on Thursday.  Said goodbye to people we met.  We had a nice surprise on Thursday.  We spoke with Bradley Sturgill, a young man from Ashland.  He teaches Spanish at the MTC in the same building where we have been training all week!  He happened to look out the window and see Gail walking toward the bookstore.  It was good to see him—he is doing well.  It was nice to see a familiar face!
Yesterday we met with a couple that recently returned from Indonesia.  They shared pictures and experiences—sounds like we will have an interesting time.  We are excited!  Last night they took us to Conference Center by Temple Square.  We were able to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert.  It was great!  Temple Square and the surrounding area are beautiful with all types of flowers around the Temple, Conference Center and the Church Administration Buildings.
Our flight leaves around 8:30pm today.  Then with about 20 hours of “in air” time, various layovers, crossing the International Date Line, time change, etc. we should be in Jakarta early Monday morning!
We are ready to serve!

Mr. gb

Gale:  I will attempt to describe what it is like to be at the Mission Training Center (MTC). 

The buildings are all well kept.  Beautiful flower gardens throughout the campus (the down side--Gail is getting to many ideas for when we return home!) and the view is breathtaking--- we are at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and while we are 1-2 miles away, as you look to the east it feels as if you can touch them!  I have always liked the Rocky Mountains!  Adding to the view is the Provo Temple.  While we have been here the sky has been clear and very blue---and while the locals think the humidity is high, it feels great to me.  They don’t know what high humidity is!

But the most important thing is the spirit at the MTC---everyone is like minded and attempting to be more Christ-like while learning what our Heavenly Father would want us to do when we arrive at the area we have been called to serve.  There are around 2500 missionaries here this week with about 100 being senior missionaries. 

At our first group meeting, we were promised that the blessings outlined in Section 31 of The Doctrine and Covenants would be ours as we faithfully serve our mission.  Among those blessings--- our family would be blessed, we would know what to do and say, that people’s hearts will be opened as we serve them.

We are looking forward to next week’s training!