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.