Called To Serve

Sister Gibb and I entered the Missionary Training Centre on August 18th, 2008. Like all missionaries we could not resist to have our pictures taken at "the map" and at the enterance. The MTC was a fantastic exxperience. There were 25 other couples and 9 single sister. Two of those sisters were in fact sisters and were going to Germany to work with young adults in the CES. It was great to be able to feel of the spirit of the retuurned missionary instructors and observe their teaching skills. We made good friends with the other missionaries even though we were together for only 5 days. I cannot help but feel this mission will be the first. I don't know how many but so far I cannot rationalize not going again. Time will tell.

While we tried to prepare ourselves mentally for the Philippines; the prepartion fell short. I did not know what to expect but it far exceeded my expectations in every way. The city is more modern than I thought, there are more conviences than I thought, it is hotter and more humid than I thought, there are more unique odors than I thought there would be and there is more poverty than I thought there would be. And more than anything else, the traffic is far more wild than I thought it could possibly be. It has been quite an adveture. Everytime we experience something new we can't help but look at each other and smile, sometimes we laugh, there is nothing else we can do.

we attend a small branch about an 80 - 90 minute drive from our apartment. Our mission president assigns missionary couples to attend branches in outlying areas to offer support. Disneyland could not create a ride that would equal our drive to church. Patty took a couple of pictures but as you all know pictures do not capture what all the other senses can. When I learn how to download pictures I'll do it.