We have had a whirlwind week as we left Houston early on Monday morning (Sep 29) and flew to Salt Lake City to start an adventure as missionaries for the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We were set apart by our wonderful Stake President and were given marvelous blessings and had a wonderful visit with him. 
We attended Chris's stepfathers funeral and both came down with colds.  Chris was wise and went to bed I went to the Spanish classes.  So you all know the result.  Chris is better I'm still sick.  However, I did learn a lot of Spanish and a lot about Chile in that my volunteers were all return missionaries from Chile or Chileans from Santiago. 

Now for the first day at the MTC we had a wonderful experience finding things and getting settled.  We had hosts who were senior volunteers from the area that come in on the days when new missionaries arrive at the MTC for the purpose of making sure we get to where we are to be when we are to be there.  So it went really smoothly.

Lunch is fun with all of the missionaries coming in to eat in the same hour and half.  It is always possible to run into someone who knows someone you know.  At times you actually run into someone you know.

We ran into Elder Don Jon Barrow from our ward and what a treat.  It feels like home when you see a familiar face.  I don't know if he was as excited to see us as we were to see him.  The Elders and Sisters in the MTC are just amazing.  They are young but do not act like teenagers at all.  They are truly ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have not witnessed one single face that appeared sad or not happy to be serving.  I just love these young missionaries.  They are such and example to the world.

We have instruction from young return missionaries and they are just fabulous.  They teach as if they are degreed, trained teachers but their only training is that which they received on their missions.  Chris and I are just amazed and truly impressed. 

We met today the director of Military relations and some senior missionaries who will be serving on some of the army bases.  We met Elder and Sister Stevens who will be serving at Fort Benning Georgia.  We told them to look out for our Son who will be there in Feb 2015.  They have his name and are going to be watching for him.  He will have a Mom and Dad at Fort Benning.  They are wonderful people and promised to get Jake involved.  There are Missionaries at all of the military instillations in the USA and around the world which makes me more at ease. 

We have a couple more days here at the MTC and start training with the PEF Self-reliant department on Sunday at 9:00 AM at the Church office building on the 19th floor.  I hope that we will be instructed more as to our duties when we get to Chile.  We are asked what we will do and all we can say is: We also would like to know the answer to that question.  We have training Sun, Mon, and Tue, then one day to repack and fly out Thursday afternoon for Santiago Chile.

Thanks to all of our friends and family for the support and love.