Week 3: In Tacoma

We made it from Vernal to Boise, Idaho on Monday.  Then on to Tacoma Tuesday.  The drive over the Cascade Mountains into Tacoma was beautiful.  We even got a glimpse of Mt. Rainer -- stunning.  When we arrived at our apartment, another senior couple (The Quillons), Elder Poulsen, and Elder Rodgers were there to let us in and help us unload.  The Quillons, from Virginia, will be our neighbors.

Our two-bedroom apartment comes furnished with a queen bed, full bed, dressers, night stands, a bookcase, couch, two recliners, a dining table/chairs, and a few basic kitchen utensils -- adequate enough, but shopping to do! Cupboards were bare, so one of the first things we did was shop for groceries.

Actually, we shopped for groceries every night this week -- checked out Albertsons, Safeways, Fred Meyer, Trader Joe's, and, of course, Wal-Mart.  All are very close.

Outside our Apartment

We "reported for duty" on Wednesday morning.  The mission office is just a few blocks away.  The couple that we are replacing left a few weeks ago, so the Quillons took over their responsibilities until we arrived. Sister Quillon is training me for Mission Secretary duties; Elder Quillon is training Van for Vehicle Coordinator duties.  Sister Quillon has been very patient and kind.  She is very organized and has great word processing and spreadsheet skills.  She and I think a lot alike when it comes to layout, content, and presentation of documents.  I've enjoyed working with her.  I hope she doesn't turn me loose any too soon, but she and her husband are anxious to get back to their "job" -- they're called as MLS (Member Leadership Support) missionaries and are assigned to one of the wards here.

There's one other couple in the office -- The Jones'.  Sister Jones is the Receptionist, handles referrals, baptism records, mail, and a miriad of other duties.  Elder Jones is the Housing Coordinator.  They are from Nampa, ID; a delightful couple.  I am sad that they will be leaving in just a few weeks.  I think Van and I would enjoy getting to know them better.  

There are others who live in the area who have been called as service missionaries.  Elder Quiton is the Bicycle Coordinator, Elder Coleman handles accidents, and Elder Bingham takes care of finances.  

Our office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each night. Our evenings this week were spent shopping for more groceries, household supplies, a computer monitor, and a TV.  On Friday evening we attended a baptism in the ward we'll be in (Sunset Ward) with the Jones'.  Then they took us to a nice local seafood restaurant called Steamers.  It sits right on Puget Sound with a view of the Narrows Bridge.

Saturday is our P-Day.  We did a little laundry, but mostly used the day to explore.  Our first excursion took us to an area called Gig Harbor.  There we met up with Sister Whitney Jenkins (from Vernal) and her companion in an area called Key Center. We got to see where they live and took them to lunch. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm of these two sisters.  One of Whitney's comments was:  "I love being a missionary."  I want to develop this same enthusiasm and fearlessness.

Well, though that first night here was a bit overwhelming, scary, and we felt a little alone, we're getting adjusted and are loving each new adventure.  It's beautiful here.  The people everywhere have been very friendly and helpful. We miss our family and friends, but are grateful to have each other and to be in this part of the vineyard.  

Sister K and Sister Jenkins

At Key Center Chapel

Gig Harbor

Week 2: MTC then PTC (Pack The Car)

October 14-20:  Sam’s back surgery that was originally scheduled for last Friday ended up being rescheduled for Monday at 8:30 a.m.  Had it happened on Friday, we would’ve been able to be there with him.  But because our training at the MTC this week was specific to our duties in the mission office, we were quite torn.  We are grateful that others could help. Our sister-in-law Cheryl was able to pick him up, take him to the hospital, and stay with him until they took him in.  Meagan was able to be there when he came out of surgery.  We went later as soon as we got out of classes at 5 p.m.   They kept him overnight.  Cheryl picked him up when he was released Tuesday and took him to their home in American Fork.  He’ll be staying there for a few weeks probably.  We are extremely grateful to her for being willing to take him in and care for him.  Surgery went OK I guess. Dr. said that he had to remove about 50% of the disc, but he should be just fine. 

As I mentioned, our training this week was focused on teaching us what we’d be doing in the mission office.  There were nine couples receiving office training.  L to R: Dibbles (going to New York), Yerkes (New Mexico), Cordons (Hawaii), Kings (Riverside California), Condies (Chili), Us, Mortensens (Dominican Republic) , Carters (Wisconsin), and Ences (Phillipines). 

  

   

In addition to basic training in Word & Excel, we learned how to use the Church’s software programs for various tasks. Van received training on Finances and Housing.  I received training for Mission Secretary (Newsletters, Referrals, recording Baptisms, etc.)  Thursday morning we spent 4 hours alone on “Vehicles” – It’s a huge expense to the church and safety is of utmost concern.  There was a lot of emphasis put on safety issues, maintenance, making sure the young elders and sisters are being safe drivers and taking care of the cars. Found out later that Van will be the Vehicle Coordinator in the Tacoma Mission.  It's a big job, and not always a pleasant one, but he’ll be great.

Had a nice little testimony meeting with our group on Thursday afternoon.  Then they had us complete a simulation (test) of all they’d taught us and then we were free to go. 

Great week.  They treated us well at the MTC, we loved our instructors, and the people who were in our group.  We even fit in another movie on Wed. night; the Cordons went with us to see “The Saratov Approach” – based on kidnapping of two LDS missionaries in Russia in 1998.  Excellent movie.  Senior missionaries have fun, too!

We loaded up, left the MTC Thursday afternoon and went to see Sam.  He’s still a little sore and not moving real gingerly.  But, he's not experiencing the leg pain that he was.  He seems to be walking much better.  In time, he should be able to walk normally.  It was very hard, however, to say goodbye and leave him knowing he's not feeling 100%. Eternal hanks again to those who are taking care of him and checking up on him.  

Friday and Saturday were spent taking care of last minute business, errands, cleaning, and raking leaves! Even though the leaf fairies (we suspect the Morris family) had raked and bagged several bags of leave while we were gone, there were plenty more to be bagged.  Van did most of that and mowed the lawn -- twice. You know how he is about his lawn.  By Saturday afternoon we had nearly everything we want to take to Tacoma loaded in the Yukon (actually if we took everything we "wanted" to take, we would need a freight car), but thank heavens for the spacious Yukon--it's loaded to the hilt! I don't know if I could pack for a mission to a foreign country where I could take just two suitcases.  We certainly wouldn't be taking my computer, printer, food, bottled peaches and steak for Van, several boxes of office files and supplies, books, boxes of extra toiletry items, bedding, towels, a bag of shoes, and, of course, plenty of clothes.

Well, I guess that's it.  We'll head for Tacoma tomorrow morning as soon as a minor repair on the Yukon is completed.  Until next week ..... God bless.

Week 1: Hadlocks Meet the MTC

Week 1: Hadlocks Meet the MTC

It's been a busy, emotional roller coaster of a week.  Still trying to "process" it all.   There were approximately 100 senior missionaries in our group.  They've got a wide variety of assignments all over the world.  One couple (The Wasuitas from Mountain Home, Utah) in our district will be going to Katmandu, Nepal to help with water projects.  Another couple (The Miners from Payson, Utah) is going to Bejing China.  They will be working in the Asia Administrative Directorat (not really part of a mission -- but doing something with Church Humanitarian work.)  It is their 4th mission.  The other couple in our District (The Taylors, from Kaysville, Utah) are going to Atlanta Georgia as MLS missionaries (Member Leadership Support).

In addition to a variety of assignments here in the states, senior couples are being sent to Africa, Russia, Poland, France, South America, Canada, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, Australia, New Zealand, even Hawaii!  Some will be working with the Perpetual Education Fund, some with Humanitarian efforts, some will do records preservation, a few have a medical assignment, some will help with CES, one couple is going to be over a ranch near Las Vegas, one couple is going to be in charge of a peanut butter factory that is part of the Church Welfare system, there are some who will be office couples like us, and many are called to be MLS missionaries.  There are so many needs and so many ways to serve.

Didn't take us long to make "connections" with people who know someone else we know.  For instance, while eating in the cafeteria, we sat by a single sister senior missionary who we learned was baptized by Bishop Paul Searle from Vernal.  He baptized her and her family when they were living in Pennsylvania about 45 years ago.

No time was wasted in getting us checked in and into class.  The focus of this week's training has been Preach My Gospel.  It truly is an inspired book of instruction for missionary work.  All members would benefit from reading it.  I wish I had gone through it more thoroughly before we got here.  After just a little bit of instruction, they had us go to a Teaching Resource Center (TRC) for 45 minutes each day Wed., Thur., and Fri. where we practiced teaching real investigators and/or less-active members.  This was much harder than I thought, but very worthwhile.  It's been rewarding for Van and I to work together as a companionship.  I also have greater empathy and understanding of what our young elders and sisters experience here.  It's fairly structured and intense. -- serious business.  The young people that are teaching us here are amazing.  I'm attaching a photo of our district.  One of our teachers, Sister Fillmore, is in the middle.

Monday through Thursday we were housed at the Marriott in Downtown Provo.  We are now at the MTC -- where there is no TV, but accommodations are great.  MTC cafeteria food is OK, but we eat too often!  Perhaps one of the biggest adjustments has been wearing dress shoes every day, nearly all day.  I think I'll get the shoes broken in soon so that my feet aren't quite so sore.  But, my feet were kind of cold all the time -- I was wishing for Smart Wool socks during the day.  Preparation Day (Saturday) was wonderful for that reason alone!

Well that's it for now.  This coming week we will receive training specific to our training as office specialists.

Today!!