Dear ones:
After a stirring second week of training in the MTC, our experience here comes to a close in a few hours and then we are off to Northern Ireland. Eventually.
This past week, teaching professionals from the Church Educational System in Salt Lake City provided our training. We learned about teaching the scriptures to college-age young men and women. We learned two little gems that I liked. (We learned a lot more than that but I can only remember two.)
1. Perhaps the most important thing we will ever give to the young single adults with whom we come in contact is an example of two people who love each other and have been married for a long time.
2. If we only accomplish two things in the classroom, we will be successful: (1) teach by the Spirit, and (2) love the students.
Our last class of the week featured a security specialist from Church headquarters. He basically told us that regardless of where we were called to serve, we would be robbed, beaten and kidnapped so we should be careful. It made us feel very special and we are looking forward to...
We received an email, confirming our assignment to Belfast. The mission has secured a flat for us. We are replacing two couples. One is flying home the day we arrive, so we will not see them. They are driving a car to the mission home on their last morning, which we will drive back to Northern Ireland on our second day. We were advised to bring a GPS, as we would be guaranteed to get lost without one. The second couple will be there for about 10 days after we arrive and will show us everything we are capable of learning before they depart for home.
I celebrated my birthday this past week. I received many kind emails, texts and a few phone calls. I appreciated people remembering; they were all very kind. Even my brother-in-law, Mick, told me, “I love you. Sometimes.” Sister Blickenstaff gave me a card that she had personally purchased at the MTC Bookstore and signed with her own hand.
Sister Blickenstaff does not believe this happened, but she was not in the immediate vicinity and cannot testify one way or the other in a court of law. On one of our Preparation Day activities, I was in a shoe store, waiting for her. A lady came in and the following conversation occurred:
Lady: I need a shoe repaired.
Clerk: What is the problem?
Lady: My heel needs to be repaired.
Clerk: May I see the shoe?
Lady: I don't have it with me. I'm from out of town.
Clerk: Is it in the car?
Lady: No, I'm from out of town.
Clerk: Oh. Do you want to buy a new dowel and repair it yourself?
Lady: No. I want you to repair it.
Clerk: Do you have the shoe with you?
Lady: No, I'm from out of town.
Clerk: If you bring us the shoe, we can repair it for you.
Lady: I have to have it by Friday. We are leaving for Arizona.
Clerk: If you bring the shoe in to us, we can repair it for you.
Me (helpfully): You could try the shoe store in the mall. They might be able to repair it without the shoe.
Lady: Thank you. I'm from out of town.
That is my story and I am sticking to it.
As we leave the USA for the trip across the pond (which involves a 31 hour endurance contest) we are grateful for the mercy of the Lord in granting us such great family members and friends. The Lord has been so good to us and we are excited, scared and enthusiastic about trying to do something for him, in return.
Our next communication will come from the United Kingdom, assuming they let us get on and then off the plane(s).
Both John and I got haircuts here at the MTC. They've sure hired some beautiful girls to cut hair. Not exactly fair for these young guys.
Success!!! I bought a much needed pair of waterproof boots. Looked and looked on line, but found some in a little store on Center Street in Provo. Who'd have thought. Also got some toasty slippers to keep my feet warm. Even in the summer the temperature doesn't even get up to 70 degrees. Sunglasses, as far as I can tell, won't be needed very often.
It's a little strange to be finished with our training and still be here. Almost all of the 51 couples that came to the MTC the same time we did have left and are out in their various areas by now. We are ready to go ourselves. I don 't know how many more times we can say good-bye to our friends and family before they say to us, "Would you just GO away already!" I really should be more nervous about going on this mission. Having John for a companion, well . . . I have nothing to worry about. Wait! Maybe I should be nervous. : )
Life is good! Bye bye good old U. S. of A. and all those that are near and dear to us. We'll be seeing you in eighteen months!
Much love,
Sister Blick
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