Sunday at the MTC

This morning we attended Fast and Testimony Meeting in the International Branch (Carl is in the Branch Presidency of this branch, which is for missionaries who don't speak English). Right now there are only 12 members of the branch. Some are from the South Pacific (Tonga, Samoa, and Marshall Islands), others from Asia (Hong Kong, Taiwan, and 2 from Mainland China.) I asked how they came from mainland China, and heard about one Elder. His parents went to Los Angeles to graduate school and joined the church. They went back to China, but when it was time for him to be baptized, they traveled to Los Angeles again for his baptism. Now he is here in the MTC, going to a mission in Canada. Amazing!

As they bore their testimonies this morning I was so touched by their courage. We had our challenges in getting here, but these young men and women left everything familiar, traveled by themselves all the way to SLC, and are very far away from their support systems, and in a language they don't understand.

The newest Elder came from Mainland China this week. He listened to the meeting with earphones that translated it into his language, but he stood up read his testimony in English. And every member of the branch had such strong testimonies and such enthusiasm to preach the gospel.

I decided that if there are times that I need a little courage, I will remember these young men and women.

After the sacrament meeting we attended a Mission Conference - a 2 hour meeting with all the missionaries here. I wish you could hear what 2000 young people singing those hymns sounds like. Fabulous organ again. Great talks by the members of the MTC Presidency and their wives. Very exciting!

We sat with Carl and Melanie during that meeting. Afterwards we met another couple from our Seniors Group back at our building. He and his wife had taken a trip to Denmark, and he showed us pictures of Bornholm. What a beautiful little island. Our ancestors came from VesterMarie and OsterMarie, and he had pictures of both. I loved seeing those places -probably not much changed in the last 100 years in many ways, and it was cheaper than going there ourselves.

We took a walk around the Provo Temple this afternoon - lots of missionaries there besides us. After dinner (which should be greeted with great enthusiasm) there is a meeting for those leaving the MTC this week, and then a Mission Fireside.

We are glad to be enjoying a Sabbath Day together (and with no assignments for either of us.) We are enjoying the Peace of the Sabbath Day. Next Sunday we hope to be in Bismarck. This is a great adventure...we're glad to be doing it together.

Love from Provo - where the sun is shining. (Steve says it's warmer in Bismarck today than in Denver, SLC or Rexburg.)