The Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC)

We arrived at the MTC Monday, May 27, 2013  

We are so excited to be here with about 60 other senior couples.

The spirit is strong here as we bear our testimonies and get to know one another.

It is so interesting to hear the other couples stories and how they decided to serve a mission.

You can see that we are really going to the end of the world to serve the Lord in Mongolia

I would like to share with you why we decided to go on a mission.

Last fall our son Joe and his family came to live with us for awhile.  At the time I remembered thinking," Too bad it isn't 5 years from now when Alvin is ready to retire and then Joe could stay in our house and we could go on a mission.  Then some events started to happen. Alvin's job wasn't as fun as it used to be and ATK announced another layoff so Alvin could see the writing on the wall. He was feeling that maybe he should take the lay off.  We both independently went to the Lord and asked if it was time to go on a mission and we both felt that it was time.  So Alvin volunteered for the layoff and we submitted our papers. However, nothing seems to come easy in this life.  We waited 9 weeks before we received our mission call and the "English" speaking mission we requested was to MONGOLIA?!  We then had to wait another 3 months before reporting to the MTC.  The wait has been long, but we can see the Lord's hand in this also.  Alvin's mother became sick in February and was in and out of the hospital for several months.  We were able to be here with her while she was sick and be here when she died.  We are so grateful for our Heavenly Father's watchful care!

We are here at the MTC the same time as Elder and Sister Lasson. 

The Lassons went to Mongolia 4 years ago and served in the same calling as we will be serving;

Directors of Deseret International Charities in Mongolia.

The Lasson's will be serving as Asia area directors over humanitarian missionaries.  

They will be our direct supervisors.

We stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Provo 

Alvin in front of the Mongolian flag

 Wednesday, May 29 2013 There were over 700 new missionaries that arrived today!  It was fun to watch them being dropped off, give hugs and be excited to get to work.

We have been studying Preach My Gospel all week.  

We have had the opportunity to give a discussion to some "investigators"  It is a humbling and also a very spiritual experience.  You want them to be able to feel the spirit and the love that our Heavenly Father has for them.  You want them to accept the invitation to come unto Christ so much because I know how important it is to me and in my life.