WE ARE OFF

After a wonderful and spiritual week in the MTC we were all pumped and ready to teach all of God's children in New York State about the Plan of Salvation. The MTC is a wonderfully spiritual place full of the hustle and bustle of a very busy organization with young and older missionaries everywhere. You hear multiple languages and ways to teach the Gospel most effectively in every corner, classroom, and hallway. Add the Holy Ghost and you have a very powerful combination of strength and direction. Its hard to describe, but a unique experience for us and one we are very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate.



We got all packed up from our 5 days staying with Troy and Teri in their new apartment in Provo, (we did not stay at the MTC) ,and headed for Roosevelt Utah to spend 2 days with Roma's dad and her family in the Uintah Basin.


We had a great time visiting with everyone topped off with one of those old fashioned family dinners with all the most recently harvested fresh vegestables with roast beef and rolls. Did I mention desert. We both ate too much.


We left with many tears from all the family and it was finally good to be on our way. Our journey took us through 12 states and 3,000 miles. We have never taken a cross country trip so it was the first time we had the oportunity to see the beauties of this great countries heartland. We saw more corn than all the cattle in the world could consume, thank goodness for ethenol or corn would become the most used grain in America. It was none-the-less beautiful and we were thankful to live in suh a great country. The midwest is a very clean part of the country with manacured farms, beautifully mowed with little litter and debris anywhere to be found. It was great to see the pride people take in their land.




The highlite of the trip was a stop at the historic Church sites in Nauvoo and Carthage ,Illinois.

We were both touched and appreciative of the early saints, their courage, grit, hard work, love, perserverence and leadership. We truly have a heritage that blessed the past, current and future members of our church. Roma did much of the driving and so we arrived safely in Highland-New Paltz area to begin our mission. We talked with Mission President about not going to the Mission Home first and he let us come and get into our apartment before going to see him in the mission office. We are scheduled to have dinner with Pres. and Sis. Searle tomorrow.


We are here and have been to church where Roma was immediately drafted into playing the piano for sacrament meeting and primary. We have been to 2 family home evenings, and several member visits and trying to remember names. Roma has them all down and has to remind me of the ones I forget.


We are very happy to be here and begin our service, it is exciting and we are starting to see where we might have an impact.


Pray for us, and for the work. We appreciate what influence it has on us and how the Lord helps us.