Valentine Cookie Day

January 30th Afternoon:

We walked to a little “Mercado” and bought some real food.  On our walk, a hippie looking guy and his girlfriend saw our name tags and started talking away with Mike. He was a bit drunk, and I guess people here do not mind getting right in your face to talk.  The guy was nice enough but he rambled on and on. His girlfriend listened politely to his ramblings.  I could tell that Mike was responding to the man more for the girlfriend’s sake, hoping anything he said might prick her as well. After a ½ hour conversation, we all shook hands and said our goodbyes.  The basis of the conversation Mike said was that this guy had a terrible family life growing up. He was born Catholic, joined an Evangelist church, but now he knows he can’t change.  We just hope that anything we shared tonight might prick at him the next time he sees missionaries on the street and maybe he’ll remember our nice conversation. 

I was able to cook a nice dinner tonight. It was fresh broccoli and steak.  The steak was a little tough but still good.  Bought cheese that looked like Cheddar but after opening it, I discovered it was more like processed cheese.  But worse than that, it didn’t even melt on the broccoli.  Not buying that again.

After dinner, we took a walk on the beach.  There was a beautiful sunset with perfect beach weather. Our goal when we go walking is to just say friendly “hola’s” to people.  They see our name tags of course and we just want people to know that we are friendly.  We are going to pray for opportunities to help people while walking the beach. We might be able to plant a seed there for missionaries later.  Certainly the Elders and Sisters can’t go down on the beach and plant "seeds" but we can.  

Friday January 31st Sister Pugmire, Sister Harris, Sister Giles, Sister Madsen and I all worked in the kitchen this morning in baking 200+ sugar cookies for the Elders and Sisters to be given in February for Valentine's Day.  It was nice to get to know the other sisters.  Sisters Giles and Martin are called to serve in the temple. Sister Madsen is a school teacher here while her husband is the head of the American embassy. Mike worked all day with Elder Pugmire in setting up a new apartment for Elders.  They have to do everything from wire in new electrical sockets, to plumbing.  When people leave their apartments they literally take everything except the "kitchen sink".  

Run, Run, Go, Go, Go...

January 27th Monday:
Our last post was about our flight delay.  We actually didn't leave Salt Lake until 2:30 pm.  So the rest of day was as follows:


NO JOKE!! We missed our first connection that was scheduled from Dallas, TX to Miami.  The airlines said that usually they will just schedule you for the next available flight.  We got off the plane in Dallas and had to run to the other end of the airport in hopes that the airlines had indeed rescheduled us. The plane was boarding and it was the LAST flight into Miami.  The flight was scheduled to leave at 6:35 pm, but because they knew our flight was delayed, American Airlines delayed this flight 15 minutes until 6:50 pm. We popped into line at 6:50 pm.  WHEW!
Our next flight out of Miami left at 11:05 pm.  We ran again and had to catch a shuttle tram to the next terminal.  We arrived at the terminal at 10:35 pm and they were boarding the plane.  Ticket people scanned our tickets and put us on hold for about 10 minutes.  Seems they had given our seats to standby, thinking we would not make this flight.  Fortunately they still had 2 seats together so we were the last to board the plane at 11:00 pm.  We just hoped that our luggage was having a better time of getting on the right flight.  Because we were missionaries, American Airlines let us check all of our luggage for free.  This was extremely helpful while running the airport because all we had was our laptop bags.  So, we made it and now the 8 hour flight to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Tuesday, January 28th. 
We arrived in Montevideo at 11 am.  Not much sleep of course.  It took about an hour to get through customs and get our luggage.  It was a huge relief to see those on the conveyor belt!  As soon as we walked out, we were greeted by Elder Pugmire, the other senior missionary, and by several Elders and Sisters.  There was one other young Sister that was on our flight.  We didn't see her though until she joined us with all the other greeters.  It was raining, but warm!  We got into cars and off we went to the mission home. The mission home, chapel, and temple are all on the same block.  Very small temple, but beautiful just the same.  Mike and I immediately went to work in helping Hermano and Hermana Pugmire take the prepared food from the mission home and walking it over to the chapel next door. They had prepared lasagna and salad for us and 15 other new missionaries.  Mike got right in, talking with everyone and really enjoyed the whole experience.  I am doing okay, because most everyone so far does speak English. I do try some Spanish off and on.  It is more like Spanglish but in reverse. Just as a side note about our mission president. President Newsome and his wife were obviously well loved. They had to go home to the US because of IRS problems that were resolved before they came, but someone had a bee in their bonnet and opened the case again.  They had only been serving for 6 months.  The mission is still reeling from this event which only happened Monday.  Our interim mission president is President Etchaguary who is a native of Uruguay.  He has served as a mission president, area president, and as a general authority.  He will serve for 6 weeks until the new mission president is trained.  They are the Cook's.

After the cleaning up, the Pugmire's took us to our little apartment. Our complex is great. We are right across from the beach.  It is not modern compared to the US, but it is very nice for Uruguay. We are on the bottom floor, so we have no view. When the Pugmire's leave in 6 months we will take their bigger apartment which is on the 7th floor with views everywhere!  Right now we have 1 bedroom, 1 small bathroom, small kitchen and small living room. Mike gets us some fresh food and I am a zombie.  I take a nap.  We spent the rest of the time unpacking, getting somewhat organized and started our shopping list.  10:30 pm we collapse into our double bed with one pillow.  GONE for the night!

Wednesday, January 29th
Up at 5:30 am.  Big day at the mission home for meals. We had granola, almond milk, and fresh fruit for breakfast. Almond milk was $8 for 1 quart.  Maybe I will have to learn how to make the milk.  The Pugmire's picked us up at 7 am.  We cooked ham, french toast, and cut up bananas. There were 2 groups of missionaries to feed at different times.  Sister Pugmire was of course thrilled with our help. Her back is not well and she over did it yesterday.  So I had her just sit and direct, while we did the work. We stayed in the mission home all day.  Even though they had wireless access, no one there knew the password.  There was some slack time, so I sat and played the piano, studied my Spanish, and would go outside to dethaw. We also took a trip to the supermarket to get a few more things.  We then went to the El Granero where I bought some wheat, sugar, honey and nuts.  Air conditioners are on full blast because it is humid here.  But you know me!  I have to bring a sweater.  We fixed a nice dinner for the 8 missionaries that were going home.  Came back to the apartment about 8:30 pm.  We walked the "rambla" which is the walkway next to the beach for about 45 minutes for exercise and a chance to get some fresh air. Came back and went to bed.
Thursday, January 30th
Slower day today. Pugmire's are exhausted so we just visit with them and use their internet.

We did go to the mission office and the President visited with us and said he had talked to the Area Presidnet and asked what to do with us.  It seems they want us working with the less actives.  The mission office work is being handled by the young missionaries.  That is exactly what Mike wanted to hear!
Rest of the day spent on the internet with the Pugmire's.  Our internet and phone service with Vonage will not be installed for 2-6 weeks.

Flight Delayed. So the adventure begins.

Flight supposed to leave at 12:35 pm. It is now 12:40. Seal in cockpit broken and not sure what is next. We only have 1 hour and 20 minutes to spare to get to our connecting flight from Dallas, TX to Miami FL. May have to call church travel services about this dilemma. Our travel day just got longer!

MTC Office Training Day Three

                     After 3 days at the computers this is us!

The good news is that we finished today and can go home earlier than expected tomorrow.  The teachers have never had anyone in the senior group finish as fast as we did.  We did learn a few new things so it was all worth the effort.  The extra time gave Mike a chance to teach the teachers, which is what he really likes to do.  Our teachers were all students going to BYU and loved to listen and glean from him.  

So, our time here at the MTC is over and we ended on a great note by going to the Provo temple tonight.  

Uruguay on Monday.  HERE WE GO!  

MTC Office Training Day Two

Wow!  Look what we learned today! 

Mike is doing great but he does add his own fun 
to an otherwise boring day...

Who is the Landlord?

Who is receiving a faxed receipt?

We attended the MTC Tuesday evening devotional tonight.  Our guest speaker was Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse and his wife Valerie.  They are from France, and it was fun to listen to them with their lovely French accents.  He admonished us to experience the atonement so we can testify. Experience His mercy by practicing daily repentance which is not a negative experience but a positive experience.

Experience His grace. He is wanting those that feel inadequate because they reach for Him. They rely on His grace.  It was a great meeting.

WE MADE MTC HISTORY THIS WEEK!  

We are part of the record breaking number of senior missionaries ever to be in the MTC.  

There are 160 this week.  Great to be a part of history! 

MTC Office Training Day One

Super Learners!

Mike and I had the privilege of being the only ones for training today. The agenda was:

Computer Basics  done in 15 min

Microsoft Word    1.5 hours  able to get in depth training that the teachers never do with others

Microsoft Excel     done in 1/2 hour  basic training for Mike

iMos - Internet Mission Office Software  1 hour basic overview

Nice no stress day.  

MTC Sunday

We spent Friday night and Saturday night back home to finish up other things.

Yesterday (Sunday), was absolutely filled with the Spirit all day long.  Relief Society had guest speaker Sister Wixom the Primary General President.  She was full of vigor, excitement and all smiles. Often times Mike and I have been discussing how to help people learn.  Sister Wixom reminded our group of sisters that we all need to "become as little children".  They are honest and they speak the truth.  They trust.

Before she pulled us into the scriptures, she told the following story that happened to her and a young elder. The elder came running into the mission office and exclaimed, "I have to tell you what just happened to me.

This dog and I had a major stand off.  He was coming after me, closer and closer and I had nothing to defend myself.  At the last moment as the dog was about to attack, I held out my Book of Mormon and the dog latched on.  Look Sister Wixom, here are the teeth marks!"  Sister Wixom took the book and sure enough, she could see the teeth marks all the way through 2 Nephi Chapter 11.  She then wryly commented that even the dog could not get through Isaiah!

She then shared with us 2 Nephi 22:2.  This mission is an opportunity to trust in our Savior as never before. The video My Joy is Full was shown and it touched the whole group of women. She asked us, "Were you there?" Sister Wixom suggested that if we ever get discouraged we should sing I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.  Love others to church and do lots of prayers were her other admonitions.

Sister Wixom then gave us two challenges:

1. Tonight, write in your journal about how the Lord is my strength.

Because this blog is my journal I will give my answer as follows:

(Note this is the next day, because we got home later than usual and I was exhausted and went to bed.  I think there is a physical drain after being so involved with the Spirit all day!)

I know that Christ loves and cares for me as an individual person. He expects me to work hard but knows at the same time that I am weak in many things.  When I can go no more, He lends me personal witnesses through the Holy Ghost, that He is aware of all my needs. Sometimes it is just peace I need. Sometimes it is personal revelation.  Sometimes it is through others that strength is given.

2. Acknowledge the children wherever you are.

After Relief Society we had a break for lunch and then Sacrament Meeting started at 12:45.  We met in a large classroom and there were probably 50 people in attendance.  They are all branches here at the MTC so there must be 100's of branch presidents and counselors.  Organization of branches alone must be a full time + job.  This MTC is absolutely amazing. I wrote a note to myself about sharing the Book of Mormon.

It is a Chinese custom to pass tea to their guests with both hands.  It shows to the guests how valued theyare. Give the Book of Mormon with both hands and let them know how valued they are.  Read with them.

Our next meeting was the MTC departing devotional.  We read D&C 4:1-4.  The speaker had visual aids of what a sickle looked like and then what a scythe looked like.  The scythe could produce more with the same effort and then they showed a picture of a harvester combine.  

The missionary work is hastening.

After that devotional we had the Sunday devotional and our guest speaker was Sister Sheri Dew!  Wow, she is my favorite speaker. Some of her key points were:

Learn: Conversion requires immersion

We have the choice to serve alone or serve with the help of heaven

Access the power of Christ through the Holy Ghost

Ministry of angels will attend

She then shared a story of her last conference before she was released:She recalled having an access card that would open many doors at Church headquarters but not understanding the access that card could give her. “I was oblivious to what was available to me,” she said. She asked us if we were walking about and not utilizing things the Lord has already given us. What kind of access power do we have that we are not using?

After that devotional, we stayed and watched a presentation done by Elder Bednar at the MTC a couple of years ago on Christmas day. It was entitled The Character of Christ.  What a totally a powerful talk.  There was so much that I cannot even begin to write all that was taught.  But the main emphasis was that Christ always “turns out”.  The natural man “turns in”.  

He did a pretty good imitation of "Cookie Monster" who was a “turned in” type of character.  Elder Bednar challenged us to read the scriptures concerning Christ and His ministry and search how in every instance Christ always turned out toward others.  

A quick example he gave was from Matthew 4:2-12. After all the fasting and then this encounter with Satan, Christ had to be spent. But He heard that John had been cast into prison and He went.  

Incredible day!