Last Day at the MTC!

This last morning with the other seniors at the MTC was especially nice.  We heard about the whole process of the mission call.  We weren't unusual in taking nearly 2 months to get all of the necessary papers completed and turned in.  When we did turn them in, they made quite a thick little packet of papers.  We were told that the packet for each of us was poured over by around 17 or 18 committees, where recommendations were made, then turned over to the Seventy, and from there to the Twelve.  Once in awhile they are returned to the starting point with the directive to start again and send different recommendations!  It was inspiring.  The Church still needs at least 3,000 more senior missionaries!  And they need them all over the world....everywhere from the Church History Library in Salt Lake City to Mongolia.
 
We did not know that they are very happy to consider requests for place and assignment from seniors.  But it was also made clear that inspiration from on high is the most important consideration.  We had two excellent instructors this morning who taught us some very sweet messages about the nature of our callings.

It was a fitting end to a beautiful week and a half.  We got a picture of our sub-group of missionaries who will be serving on military bases or with young single adults.  We have been in several sub-groups and each time have gotten acquainted with other couples.  It has been a joy to us.

We watched as a new group of young elders and sisters arrived and were escorted around the campus by peers wearing "host" badges.  The "veterans" had probably been there for a week or two! They were cute to say the least.  That MTC is a marvel.  It runs like a finely-tuned watch.  And we said good-bye to several other couples as they depart for Russia, Germany, New Zealand, Tacoma WA, West Virginia, England and so on.  Eight of us will be going to Denmark!...with one continuing on to Iceland.  (yes really!)

We came back to North Salt Lake to stay the night with Peter, Lia and Eliza and PACKED.  Time to get serious again.  We have lived with them now for about 4 months and managed to acquire more stuff.  So we are sorting:  DI, garbage, storage, Denmark.  What a hassle!

Time for bed.  Tomorrow is a big day!  We leave in the morning, stopping in Dallas and London and then arriving in Denmark Friday afternoon.