Sunday, 18 February 2018

I'm posting this one day early because we'll be on the road to Monterey. Last Friday, 16 February, we finished our two weeks of MTC training. The second week was one day of seminary and institute training and the other days were fully dedicated to military relations (MR) training. Elder and Sister Sparrow were our trainers from the Church headquarters in SLC. We really came away with enthusiasm for our calling to minister to LDS military personnel in Monterey CA. We can hardly wait to get there. One thing we love about the calling is the diversity of things we get to do, including service. We are free to follow the Spirit and do whatever we can to serve others and help others come to Christ. We look forward to interacting with the chaplains of all different religions, with bishops and stake president, with our mission president, with the young missionaries, and, of course, with the single and married members of the military. This is going to be one of the highlights of our missionary experiences. We may never want to return to our home in Provo!! Everyone we talk with loves Monterey and raves about its weather and beauty. Three of the couples going to military installations told us that they hoped they would get Monterey as their assignment. I guess we are blessed. Our group was one of the largest MR groups to go through the MTC. Normal size is 3-4 couples, but we had nine. I was the only Marine, and, of course, the Navy, Army, and Air Force folks had to throw out friendly little jabs here and there. I'm proud to be a lean, mean, green, Marine, although not so lean, mean, or proud anymore. Age took care of the leanness; the gospel of Jesus Christ removed the meanness; my love for and dependency upon the Savior replaced pride with humility. Elaine has always been humble, gentle, and kind. I'm glad she is my eternal companion. No transfers!!!! Any of you seniors out there who want to jump-start your life again, come on a mission for the Church. Why sit around waiting for your birth certificate to expire? Come join the ranks!!!