Trip To Nauvoo

We finally arrived. Yesterday morning we got up at two o'clock in the morning with the idea that we would be on the road by three o'clock and we would see if we couldn't make it to Lincoln or  Omaha, Nebraska by late afternoon. Well, we didn't get away until 3:30 a.m. which wasn't too bad. However, when we got to Evenston, Wyoming, it was snowing and the freeway was closed due to a big accident about 23 miles east of Evenston. It wasn't until 7:30 a.m. that we were able to leave Evenston. From there we were able to make good time even though we had some light snow off and on until we got to Cheyenne. After that we had clear skies, but it was cold. 

We decided to drive on to Omaha arriving there about 10:00 p.m. After being up for 20 hours and driving across two states, we were ready for a good nights rest.

Handcart statue at Winter Quarters

 Friday morning following breakfast, we started out again. I had served part of my mission in Omaha. So, I wanted to stop at Winter Quarters to see the new visitors center and temple. Ann had ever been there before, so we stopped there for a brief tour and visit. Julie Hamilton, the missionary daughter of our stake president, is assigned to Winter Quarters and we thought we may have a chance to see her. However, she was transferred to a different location this morning so we missed her.

Winter Quarters Cemetery, statue of
parents at their child's grave site

From Winter Quarters, we drove on across Iowa where I also served during my mission arriving at Nauvoo about 4:00 p.m. When we left Winter Quarters, we called the mission office to let them know where we were and when we expected to arrive. The mission secretary made an appointment for to meet with the mission president and his wife at 4:30 p.m.

When we arrived, we had to change from our travel clothes into our missionary (Sunday dress) clothes for our interview and to get processed in.

Our visit with President and Sister Gilliland was a very pleasant experience. They seem to be great people and we will enjoy serving with them.

Some of the 66 missionaries traveling here didn't make it today because of bad weather but are expected tomorrow. They are some who drove across Interstate 70.

End of MTC Training

Our last three days of training prior to departing for Nauvoo ended today and we've been madly packing so that we can leave early in the morning.
The week started in an interesting way. Two weeks ago, we had the car inspected to be sure that it was in good condition to make the trip to Nauvoo. We were informed that the rack and pinion seal on the passenger side might be leaking. However, since we haven't had any leaks on the garage floor, we were told that the car was probably ok for the trip. After returning home for the weekend Friday, I went out into the garage Saturday morning and there was a puddle of something behind the right front wheel. Upon further checking, I determined that it was in fact power steering fluid. So we had to drop off the car Monday morning on our way back to this week's training. We drove the truck to Provo while the car was in the shop.

Ann and I in the north visitors center

This week's training related to Visitor Centers. Our whole group of 66 were to meet at the Temple Square North Visitor Center where we were to be taken in small groups on a tour of the visitor center by young sister missionaries to see how it is done. It was interesting to see how the sisters taught, invited us to come unto Christ and testified in a very short time. The spirit could be felt there.

One sister told how interesting it was to watch people pass through the gate onto Temple Square, stop and go back out the gate and re-enter because they could feel a difference as soon as they entered the gate.

It has been a great experience at the MTC this week. The spirit has been strong and much has been learned by way of practicing and role playing. Tomorrow morning we will finally be on our way to Nauvoo.

First Week At MTC

Today, we finished our first week of training at the MTC. It has been a great experience. We've seen and learned of miracles in the lives of some of those who have been called to serve as Senior Missionaries. 

Following our training today, we returned home for the weekend to gather together the items we will be taking to Nauvoo. 

Left to Right: Sister Anderson (attending BYU) from  Fruit
Heights, Utah who served in Czechoslovakia, Elder & Sis.
 Hufstetler, Elder & Sis. Hansen, Elder & Sis. Jones, Elder &
 Sis.  Fuellenbach

These  photos taken of our district of four couples along with our returned missionary trainers who are employed by the MTC to serve in that capacity. 

They have to apply, interview and demonstrate their knowledge of and teaching skills as outlined in "Preach My Gospel." Both were excellent and very spiritual.

The photo to the left includes our morning instructor.

The photo to the right is the same group but with out afternoon instructor, Brother Seymor from California who served his mission in Argentina and is attending Utah Valley State University. He studying to become a forest service firefighter.


I mentioned some miracles. One couple from just outside Kansas City, Missouri who have been called to serve in Nauvoo have a cattle ranch. Because of the economy and drought in the Midwest, they have been able to sell their livestock and it has been costing them one thousand dollars a day to feed their livestock. They didn't see how they could serve. After they received their call, they had all their livestock sold in a very short time.

We talked to another couple called to Nauvoo from West Point, Utah who raise quarter horses. They had been trying to sell their horses since the first of the year. After their call came, they had all their horses sold in two days including their stud horse and mares. The sales were made without the buyers even seeing the horses.

Below is a photo of all the senior missionaries who are at the MTC this week for training. Some are going to different assignments around the world but of this group shown below, 66 are going to Nauvoo next week. 

First Week In MTC

It has been a busy week. Each morning starts with breakfast in the main cafeteria at seven o'clock. It is a real thrill and humbling to see the almost three thousand young sisters and elders knowing that each of them is a worthy temple recommend holder preparing for missionary service. One young sister told us that as of yesterday there were as many sister missionaries in the MTC as there were elders and it is expected that the sisters will shortly out number the elders.

A view of one part of the cafeteria and dinning area

Monday we were divided up into districts of four couples. Elder Hansen was given the responsibility of district leader for our district which consisted of the two of us, a couple from Salmon, Idaho, a couple from Phoenix, Arizona and another couple from Layton. 

Our mornings and afternoons are spent being tutored by young returned missionaries on  the missionary lessons in "Preach My Gospel." Then the following morning we had the opportunity to teach someone from the Provo area who would come to the MTC for the teaching exercises. 

Here we are preparing for a lesson presentation

Our first teaching experience was to teach about the restoration. The second was teaching about the plan of salvation and the third was to teach an "inactive" couple a lesson prepared after spending an appointment with them getting to know them and then later returning on a "followup" appointment to teach.

We certainly have gained an appreciation for the new way of teaching missionary lessons.

Here we are sitting next to the couple from Pheonix

 Letting the spirit guide you rather than having a specific memorized lesson. You learn to teach by the spirit and then get out of the way so that our Father-in-Heaven and the Holy Ghost can work with them. We'v learned that it really works.

Meeting Our Niece In Provo

We had a real surprise our first day at the MTC. After the orientation, first day of classes and all, we went to the Marriott Hotel where we assigned housing for the week. Just as we were checking in, Terry (the daughter of my  oldest brother Kent) walked in with her husband and youngest daughter. What a surprise. They came to Utah from Scottsdale, Arizona last Friday to spend a week skiing with their family. It was good to see them and we will try to get together for a brief visit later in the week.

Our Setting Apart

Our setting apart took place in the high council room at our stake center.
Prior to the setting apart, President Hamilton had Ann take a few minutes to express her thoughts and bear her testimony followed by Fred.
 

 President Rick Hamilton set us apart.



Our four sons and two of out son-in-laws participated in the setting apart circle.

 Some of our family who were  were able to be in attendance for the setting apart.

We were grateful to have so many of our family attend and participate. 

Both of us along with our family were given very special blessings. 

As a family we feel that we are and have been greatly blessed.

Mission Call Openhouse

Bishop Robison and his wife Lindee

Last night some of our friends form our ward hosted an open house from 6 to 8 p.m. for members of our ward to wish us well in our mission calling. It was held at our home since there isn't a home in the ward with as much room for an event like this. 

Sandy Youngman and Rae Ann Blood with the help of Judy Gruenberg put the open house together. They took care of everything so that we didn't have to do anything. We really appreciated them putting on the event. We had a good turn out.

Ann and I each wore one of the period outfits that we will be wearing while we are serving in Nauvoo.

It was good to have so many come and to be able to visit with them. There aren't enough opportunities to be able to just visit with our friends and neighbors in the ward.

Marcus Blood, Sandy Youngman, Judy Gruenberg
 and  Rae Ann Blood

Registration Book

We didn't get someone to take pictures until near the end. However, These are some of the photographs that were taken during the open house.



Some from the ward presented both Ann and me with a missionary journal so that each of us could record our missionary experiences. We used Ann's to register those who attended.