Departure Day

Today, Monday, July 30 we leave for Australia. Words can hardly describe the week we’ve just spent at the Missionary Training Center (MTC). Our Senior Missionary group consisted of 22 couples and two sets of single sisters going throughout the world. The knowledge and experience this group has is outstanding. An example is Elder Ed and Sister Ann Pinegar who are former MTC Presidents with Sister Pinegar, a former General Primary President. He spoke to us for about an hour about faith in Christ was marvelous. Their assignment is the Hill Cumorah Visitors Center.

We have been well fed both physically and spiritually. There are 2,500 missionaries here and about 500 come and go each week. We were also told that there are about 2,600 different missionary assignments throughout the world. We are so spiritually uplifted with the training and meetings, but more inspired by just being with our fellow senior missionaries and most of all, the young elders and sisters. There are so many of them and they all have smiles and such enthusiasm. It has been delightful to be with them in the cafeteria and watch as they come in and out, wave after wave, since there is not enough room for them to eat at the same time. We have engaged in many conversations with them throughout the MTC and have observed their great spirit. With all the trouble in the world today and the increase in immorality especially among the youth, it gives great hope that the future is bright and the leadership in the church and country will continue to grow with such outstanding individuals who have come from throughout the world.

Next post from Sydney......