Our address while serving at Martin's Cove is:
Elder and Sister Lindsey
Martin's Cove Site
47600 West Highway 220
Alcova, Wyoming 82620-8803
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
MTC Experience
We started our Preach My Gospel training on Tuesday. After a devotional where Brother Peterson our training supervisor taught us we were divided into Districts and introduced to our instructors. All young enthusiastic returned missionaries.
Brother Lee and Brother Hawks our morning teachers.
The first thing they did was introduce us to the concept of the TRC (training resource center) or as they liked to call it torturing retired couples! Basically it meant that on Wednesday and Thursday we would have the opportunity to teach the gospel to a non member. Actually they are members who volunteer their time to come in and act the parts so we can learn. Then on Friday we were paired with another Senior Couple who played the part of a non member for a 15 minute getting to know them visit then after 30 minutes of preparation and prayer we taught them a 30 minute lesson. In between the teaching practice our instructors led us as we learned to teach by the spirit.
Sister Yazzy our afternoon instructor.
We loved our teachers, they taught us well and with a goodness that shines through they helped bring the spirit into everything we did in our classes. As a side note it is Sister Yazzy's cousins who play the part of Adam and Eve in the first new Temple film that was released last fall. She and her husband are part time actors who live in Arizona and auditioned for the parts.
We met as Districts in our classes and much of our learning came as we practiced with each other.
This is our District with Sister Yazzy. On my left is Sister Brown, Then Sister Allen, Sister Nelson and Sister Broxton with our spouses standing behind. Sister Brown and Sister Allen are widows and will be serving in Nauvoo. The Nelsons are going to Macedonia and the Broxton's will be MLS missionaries serving in their own Stake.
Our teaching sessions on Wednesday and Thursday left us feeling like we didn't quite have it down but were good learning experiences. Friday though was a different story. We got to know a young couple who had been married 10 years and had three young sons. She was a member, he was not, but he loved his family above anything else. They told us that every time a new set of missionaries moved into the area they came to see them but never came back after that initial visit. We asked to come back and he reluctantly agreed to let us. We left that meeting desperate to know what to teach. After discussing for a few minutes we went into an empty class room and had a prayer. When we came out we both clearly knew we should teach about eternal families and use scriptures from the Book of Mormon.
Our investigators Brother and Sister Morris
It was a wonderful experience for all four of us. For Jim and I we felt like we were being led to know exactly what to say and what scriptures to use. The Morris's were feeling the message in their hearts. We could tell by their reactions that something was happening. Later when we finished the lesson we found out they were playing the part of their daughter and son in law and they felt deeply that if he would hear the message we taught that for him it would begin the process of joining the church.
Our closing meeting was powerful. This week has just strengthened our testimony of this gospel and we feel so very blessed to have this opportunity to serve a mission.
Saturday was our P day and we did a few things that needed to be done then went to the BYU Art Museum to see the Sacred Gifts exhibit. It was wonderful and if you live in the area you should definitely plan on seeing it but you'd better hurry because next month these beautiful paintings will return to their homes in Europe. Several of us Sisters went to the General Women's meeting at a chapel near the MTC since they will show it to the Sister Missionaries next week when the Elders are attending the Priesthood Session of Conference.
The highlight of our Sunday was tonight's Devotional. Richard Elliot and David Archuletta bore testimony with music and words. David returned from his mission in Chile last Monday and had his home coming today. He bore a powerful testimony, one I'm sure we will all always remember. Brother Elliot told about his conversion and how one on one we can make a difference it the lives of others. He got a standing ovation when he played his arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain."
Our MTC apartment
We head to Martin's Cove on Wednesday to start the next part of our adventure. We love you all!
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Jim and Carol
We started our Preach My Gospel training on Tuesday. After a devotional where Brother Peterson our training supervisor taught us we were divided into Districts and introduced to our instructors. All young enthusiastic returned missionaries.
Brother Lee and Brother Hawks our morning teachers.
The first thing they did was introduce us to the concept of the TRC (training resource center) or as they liked to call it torturing retired couples! Basically it meant that on Wednesday and Thursday we would have the opportunity to teach the gospel to a non member. Actually they are members who volunteer their time to come in and act the parts so we can learn. Then on Friday we were paired with another Senior Couple who played the part of a non member for a 15 minute getting to know them visit then after 30 minutes of preparation and prayer we taught them a 30 minute lesson. In between the teaching practice our instructors led us as we learned to teach by the spirit.
Sister Yazzy our afternoon instructor.
We loved our teachers, they taught us well and with a goodness that shines through they helped bring the spirit into everything we did in our classes. As a side note it is Sister Yazzy's cousins who play the part of Adam and Eve in the first new Temple film that was released last fall. She and her husband are part time actors who live in Arizona and auditioned for the parts.
We met as Districts in our classes and much of our learning came as we practiced with each other.
This is our District with Sister Yazzy. On my left is Sister Brown, Then Sister Allen, Sister Nelson and Sister Broxton with our spouses standing behind. Sister Brown and Sister Allen are widows and will be serving in Nauvoo. The Nelsons are going to Macedonia and the Broxton's will be MLS missionaries serving in their own Stake.
Our teaching sessions on Wednesday and Thursday left us feeling like we didn't quite have it down but were good learning experiences. Friday though was a different story. We got to know a young couple who had been married 10 years and had three young sons. She was a member, he was not, but he loved his family above anything else. They told us that every time a new set of missionaries moved into the area they came to see them but never came back after that initial visit. We asked to come back and he reluctantly agreed to let us. We left that meeting desperate to know what to teach. After discussing for a few minutes we went into an empty class room and had a prayer. When we came out we both clearly knew we should teach about eternal families and use scriptures from the Book of Mormon.
Our investigators Brother and Sister Morris
It was a wonderful experience for all four of us. For Jim and I we felt like we were being led to know exactly what to say and what scriptures to use. The Morris's were feeling the message in their hearts. We could tell by their reactions that something was happening. Later when we finished the lesson we found out they were playing the part of their daughter and son in law and they felt deeply that if he would hear the message we taught that for him it would begin the process of joining the church.
Our closing meeting was powerful. This week has just strengthened our testimony of this gospel and we feel so very blessed to have this opportunity to serve a mission.
Saturday was our P day and we did a few things that needed to be done then went to the BYU Art Museum to see the Sacred Gifts exhibit. It was wonderful and if you live in the area you should definitely plan on seeing it but you'd better hurry because next month these beautiful paintings will return to their homes in Europe. Several of us Sisters went to the General Women's meeting at a chapel near the MTC since they will show it to the Sister Missionaries next week when the Elders are attending the Priesthood Session of Conference.
The highlight of our Sunday was tonight's Devotional. Richard Elliot and David Archuletta bore testimony with music and words. David returned from his mission in Chile last Monday and had his home coming today. He bore a powerful testimony, one I'm sure we will all always remember. Brother Elliot told about his conversion and how one on one we can make a difference it the lives of others. He got a standing ovation when he played his arrangement of "Go Tell it on the Mountain."
These are all the Seniors in the MTC this week
This has been a wonderful spirit filled week we fill so blessed. If you haven't had an MTC experience in your life we suggest you put it on your bucket list.
MTC World Map
We head to Martin's Cove on Wednesday to start the next part of our adventure. We love you all!
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Jim and Carol
Monday, March 24, 2014
Our Farewell and First Day in the MTC
What a blessed and wonderful day we had yesterday. Our talks had been prepared weeks ahead so there was no last minute preparation stress. I picked up Ernie at around 10:00am and brought him home. Jim and I had a little talk with him about how he could support us on our mission by being on his best behavior both at home and at work. I also asked him questions about what he planned to say in his closing prayer but when he said his prayer not one thing we talked about was included. In stead he gave a from the heart prayer that turned out to be exactly what everyone needed to hear. You knew he was talking to Heavenly Father and not just saying the words we expected to hear. Once again he was our teacher.
The sacrament meeting felt wonderful. The spirit felt strong, the choir music was wonderful and Dennis Hendriksen's rendition of "Come, Come Ye Saints" was magnificent! Jim and I each felt good about our talks and everyone was very complimentary.
Sitting on the stand and looking out into the congregation was humbling. There were so many people we loved and cared about including, family, work family. TRA family and of course our Ward family. We have been so blessed these last 20 years to have lived among, worked among and played with the most amazing group of people. We are what we are in large part because we've been surrounded and blessed by wonderful people.
We planned an open house and hoped a few people would show up! Wow, when we arrived home we couldn't get in the door there were so many people. It was wonderful once again to be surrounded by so many of the people we love. We need to thank Dave and Jan Harris and Ken and Sue Larsen for getting things set up and maintaining the flow of food. I didn't lift a finger. I'm sure there were others who helped. Please know you are loved and appreciated. Thank you to everyone who brought food. Everything was wonderfully tasty!
At 5:20pm we said good by to our guests and headed to the Stake Center to be set apart. What a spiritual feast we had with our Bishop and Stake President as we studied a few scriptures together, expressed our love for each other and then were set apart as missionaries and given wonderful blessings that we will hold in our hearts forever.
This last week has been full of tender mercies and we feel incredibly blessed.
We were up early this morning and managed to get everything stored away, the car packed and even have time for breakfast at McDonald's! We arrived at the MTC and were guided every step of the way through our orientation process. There are 5 other couples going to MHHS. Two will serve at Sixth Crossing and three of us will be at Martin's Cove. Tomorrow starts the training. We did our homework tonight and are going to walk to the Creamery for ice cream cones soon. We are staying at the MTC West which is the Wyview complex. Interestingly it is the complex our Granddaughter Kati lived at when she attended BYU before her mission. We eat all our meals at the MTC cafeteria and our training takes place at a chapel right outside the gates of the MTC.
The first rule we were told about today was that no heart attacks are allowed. They said they find if they let one person have one then another will decide to follow suit so they just don't allow them! Oh yea by the way the defibrillators they have in the hallway are just for show...they don't know how to use them so no heart attacks!
We are a varied group of 50 or so couples and nine single sisters. The assignments are all over the US and the world. The work is moving forward.
We love you all,
Elder and Sister Lindsey
What a blessed and wonderful day we had yesterday. Our talks had been prepared weeks ahead so there was no last minute preparation stress. I picked up Ernie at around 10:00am and brought him home. Jim and I had a little talk with him about how he could support us on our mission by being on his best behavior both at home and at work. I also asked him questions about what he planned to say in his closing prayer but when he said his prayer not one thing we talked about was included. In stead he gave a from the heart prayer that turned out to be exactly what everyone needed to hear. You knew he was talking to Heavenly Father and not just saying the words we expected to hear. Once again he was our teacher.
The sacrament meeting felt wonderful. The spirit felt strong, the choir music was wonderful and Dennis Hendriksen's rendition of "Come, Come Ye Saints" was magnificent! Jim and I each felt good about our talks and everyone was very complimentary.
Sitting on the stand and looking out into the congregation was humbling. There were so many people we loved and cared about including, family, work family. TRA family and of course our Ward family. We have been so blessed these last 20 years to have lived among, worked among and played with the most amazing group of people. We are what we are in large part because we've been surrounded and blessed by wonderful people.
We planned an open house and hoped a few people would show up! Wow, when we arrived home we couldn't get in the door there were so many people. It was wonderful once again to be surrounded by so many of the people we love. We need to thank Dave and Jan Harris and Ken and Sue Larsen for getting things set up and maintaining the flow of food. I didn't lift a finger. I'm sure there were others who helped. Please know you are loved and appreciated. Thank you to everyone who brought food. Everything was wonderfully tasty!
At 5:20pm we said good by to our guests and headed to the Stake Center to be set apart. What a spiritual feast we had with our Bishop and Stake President as we studied a few scriptures together, expressed our love for each other and then were set apart as missionaries and given wonderful blessings that we will hold in our hearts forever.
This last week has been full of tender mercies and we feel incredibly blessed.
We were up early this morning and managed to get everything stored away, the car packed and even have time for breakfast at McDonald's! We arrived at the MTC and were guided every step of the way through our orientation process. There are 5 other couples going to MHHS. Two will serve at Sixth Crossing and three of us will be at Martin's Cove. Tomorrow starts the training. We did our homework tonight and are going to walk to the Creamery for ice cream cones soon. We are staying at the MTC West which is the Wyview complex. Interestingly it is the complex our Granddaughter Kati lived at when she attended BYU before her mission. We eat all our meals at the MTC cafeteria and our training takes place at a chapel right outside the gates of the MTC.
The first rule we were told about today was that no heart attacks are allowed. They said they find if they let one person have one then another will decide to follow suit so they just don't allow them! Oh yea by the way the defibrillators they have in the hallway are just for show...they don't know how to use them so no heart attacks!
We are a varied group of 50 or so couples and nine single sisters. The assignments are all over the US and the world. The work is moving forward.
We love you all,
Elder and Sister Lindsey
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Here we are five days from reporting to the MTC and the marathon is almost over and the adventure is about to begin. We received our call to serve in the Rapid City South Dakota Mission assigned to the Mormon Handcart Historic Sites last October and on March 3rd we were assigned to serve at Martin's Cove Wyoming. Our dream of serving a mission for our church is about to come true and we are more excited than we can say.
These last five months have been busy ones as we've prepared. There have been many books to read and study. Stories of the pioneers to become familiar with, clothing to buy and pioneer costumes to make. In addition we have gotten our home ready to rent and our motor home ready to live in. We have also worked to prepare physically by walking at our local recreation center. On our mission we will walk an estimated eight to ten miles a day as we take families and groups to the Cove so we've tried to prepare for that as best we could.
This coming Sunday, March 23rd we will speak in our Ward Sacrament meeting and then will have an open house at our home from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
We report to the Mission Training Center in Provo. UT on Monday, March 24th at 10:20am. We will receive general missionary training the first week and then in the second week we will receive training specific for LDS Church Visitor Centers. Over the years our children and grandchildren have shared wonderful stories of their experiences in the MTC and we are looking forward to learning first hand the things they shared with us.
Now as we are totally new to blogging I'm going to have to ask that you hang in there with us as we learn the ropes and hopefully we will be able to post pictures and give you a fun first hand account of our experiences on our mission.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Grandpa and Grandma
Jim and Carol
These last five months have been busy ones as we've prepared. There have been many books to read and study. Stories of the pioneers to become familiar with, clothing to buy and pioneer costumes to make. In addition we have gotten our home ready to rent and our motor home ready to live in. We have also worked to prepare physically by walking at our local recreation center. On our mission we will walk an estimated eight to ten miles a day as we take families and groups to the Cove so we've tried to prepare for that as best we could.
This coming Sunday, March 23rd we will speak in our Ward Sacrament meeting and then will have an open house at our home from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Now as we are totally new to blogging I'm going to have to ask that you hang in there with us as we learn the ropes and hopefully we will be able to post pictures and give you a fun first hand account of our experiences on our mission.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Grandpa and Grandma
Jim and Carol
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