Day 1 at the MTC

I don't have much time - but want to give you our reflections on our first day at the MTC. (yesterday). This letter will go to many different people, so there may be references to people you don't know. Sorry.

All the Sr. couples are in one building, just next to our meeting places, so very convenient. We have a nice little room, queen sized bed, bathroom.

We are with 63 other senior missionaries, going to assignments for CES, the Perpetual Education Fund, Mission Office staff, Military relations, and proselyting...and going, of course, all over the world.

One over-all impression we had yesterday was how kind the Elders and Sisters are to the Senior Missionaries. At each meal, someone came to take our trays to the clean-up area for us. They insisted! And the Elders open doors for us every time. And if they see us looking confused, they offer to help. Very impressive.

I pictured the cafeteria as one long line with hundreds waiting, but the food areas are spread around more like a food court. There are many choices, and a short wait to pick up anything. Plenty of food, of course. We even found an ice cream cooler in a far corner.

This week we are being trained as missionaries, using the "Preach My Gospel" book as the text. We have big meetings with all 63 of us (taught by a very qualified man, but in a gentle and thoughtful way), and smaller classes with just 8 and an RM as teacher. We have reading assignments in the evening. (read:homework)

Tonight there is an MTC Devotional with a general authority as the speaker. Carl and Melanie are joining us for dinner and that. They are branch presidents for a branch here of non-english speaking missionaries, so they come Tuesday nights and on Sunday.

I saw Brock Stringham here today. Kt or LL, please tell his folks. Still looking for Brooke Condie.

We went to the gym last night and walked for an hour. When we have class breaks we go outside and walk around a little bit.(youth from our ward here at the MTC)

Adele, the man in charge of our small group is from Sugar City. His daughter is the dispatcher for BYU-I, so perhaps you talk to her sometimes. I can't remember her last name - maybe Peterson, or something with a P. She's married, has several children. His name is Hibbert, and he has taught at BYU-I and knows Bro. Walz. Always a small world.

As you can see, we do have internet here and can use our lap tops and cell phones. We won't be on either very much, but we can still stay connected. We're really enjoying the experience here.

Love to all of you - Dad and Mom, or Steve and Kris