Mission: Week One, Day Two

Up for shower and breakfast.  Yesterday I took my shower early and had a lovely warm shower.  This morning it was almost 6:30 when I hopped into the small but nice shower…I really love that there are two different grab bars to hold onto.  A real feeling of security, for which I am really grateful.  WELL, this time, at 6:30, the water was quite a bit cooler and the pressure was much lighter.  Still, it was a nice way to start the day.

After breakfast we met in the large meeting room and were introduced to all the teachers we would enjoy during the week then sent off to our small group study rooms.  Our morning teacher is a wonderful young returned missionary sister who is from Hopkinton, Massachusetts.  We remembered that place from when Dear One and Son #2 ran in the Boston Marathon a few years ago! 

In that class we learned how to begin teaching and how to identify the needs of those we contact.  We used the scriptures and Preach My Gospel, plus our study journals…something we will probably do every day.

Lunch, then another small group session with our district and our afternoon instructor.  This young man turned out to hail from Belmont, Massachusetts, and WE KNEW HIS MOTHER!  She is a scheduler in the Boston Temple.  We were so happy for that connection.  Connections seem to turn up every day.  He is best friends with the nephew of one of our dearest friends!

After another large group meeting with all 133 of us new senior missionaries this week (there are 500 new young missionary elders and sisters expected on Wednesday!!!), we had group pictures taken.  There were so many Senior Missionaries that we had to take five photos to get everyone in.

Another sweet thing that happened was that we were assigned another senior couple to be our especial friends.  We will eat together, visit together, and eventually teach each other.  They are from near Preston, Idaho which is near where our daughter lives!

After dinner there was a wonderful fireside for all the missionaries in the MTC…a General Authority fireside when one of the Brethren from Salt Lake City comes to teach and inspire the missionaries.  One of the inspiring parts of the evening was the opening hymn when nearly 2000 voices sang “Called To Serve”.  Tears came to my eyes.  Elder Joseph Sitati and his wife both spoke to us.  It was really fine.  One thing I really liked about what Elder Sitati said was that we need to do the “must do” things, one by one, each day.  If we do these things, one by one, each day, we will be successful in whatever we are striving to do.  I like that bit of encouragement.  Often I look ahead for all the things on my great long list of must do tasks.  Taking them one task at a time, each day, the job will be completed.  Thank you, Elder Sitati!

As far as choir music goes, there was another 1200-voice choir tonight.  We loved their music.