Hello Family and Friends!
We have completed our week of training at the MTC! My goodness, it was such a remarkable experience. I had no idea what a great place the Missionary Training Center is. I think what struck me the most is that in this relatively small space, there were 2,200 missionaries (only 98 of us were seniors) and all of us were there for the same reason, to prepare to serve missions all around the world. It was so amazing to see that many teenagers all dressed in white shirts and ties, sunday best dresses, not a single cel phone among them, all carrying scriptures and all so happy. That many young people willing to put their lives on hold for 2 years to serve the Lord. And that is just the people at the MTC in Prove. There are more than 8 other MTC's in other countries of the world. It really restores my faith in the future of this world. There are some amazing young people that are going to be the leaders of our future.
We loved every day of training. We found out a few things about ourselves along the way. We found out we really do like to teach together and were pretty fair at it. We also found out that we really are so excited to go to the Philippines and serve the Lord on this mission. We love the gospel of Jesus Christ! And we are so happy to be able to serve together on this mission. We really want to send a huge thank you to our kids and grandkids for supporting us in this adventure. We realize the sacrifice you are making to let us go and we really appreciate it. We will try to make you proud of us.
We will be heading to the Philippines on Monday morning bright and early (4:00 AM) and after a long full day of travel finally be in Manila. So next week we will write and update you on our adventure.
We love you all and want to thank you all for attending our farewell. We felt the love and support from all of you and really appreciate the fantastic day that was.
Love to all, Kathy
Tender Mercy's of the Lord this week
The Power of hearing 2,200 Missionaries young and old sing many inspirational songs (Called to Serve and others) at the feet a a Apostle of the Lord (Dallin H Oaks). The power of the spirit made me tingle from head to foot. Also was able to shake the hand of Elder Oaks.
We weep together with a volunteer coming in and helping teaching enactment's. The power of testimony in these situations is very powerful and very touching to the heat.
My thanks and Love to All
Elder Bell
YEAH, the first letter of our favorite missionary couple! Wow, what a week you have just experienced! It must have gone by so fast, learning, teaching, meetings, etc. but a week to remember forever! I will be thinking of you around 3 or 4 in the morning (my usual time to take care of some necessities) and you wil already be on your way. May you have a safe trip with a bit of time to rest before you will hit the ground running! We are so very proud of you and you will be in our prayers night and day! All our love to both of you! Ralph and Tina
ReplyDeleteThanks for a beautiful post on our faithful missionaries. Yes, they are wonderful and always amaze me at the power and tenderness of their lessons at district and zone meetings. The best is yet to come. Enjoy your journey!
ReplyDeleteHow I love reading your mission experiences! It makes me want to turn the clock back to being a bit younger and come to join the two of you. Your experiences parallel Kosrae quite a bit with the primitive way in which people love and yet, so happy and so full of love for our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!
ReplyDeleteI would have given anything if I could have watched Kevin eat chicken feet! Unbelievable what some one can make out of nothing and make it a "delicacy", but it must have been a bit of a surprise for him.
It sounds like you are both doing so much good on your mission. Kathy, what sweet story how you communicated with that YW at church! It takes someone like you to draw her out and have such a sweet written communication with her. We are so blessed and take our healthy minds and ears so easily for granted!
We heard there was a major hurricane that hit the Phillipines last week but it must not have hit your particular area because you made not mention of it. We prayed mightily for your safety! Prayer seems to work!
But you have probably heard now how badly certain areas of the Philippines suffered during that storm.
We are going to be out of the country for about three weeks. We're spending a week in Barcelona and then go back home on a lovely Celebrity ship which will take 14 days to bring us back to Ft. Lauderdale. Our temple is closed for cleaning during the first two weeks of November so we thought we would take advantage of it and treat ourselves to a lovely vacation!
May you blessed with all you stand in need of. You are in our prayers and on the temple prayer roll. May our Heavenly Father keep you healthy and happy!
We love you two!! Let us know if there is anything we can do for you or send you!
Ralph and Tina