MTC - Missionaries from Wales

We finally met the missionaries who are here from Wales.  We met Sister Williams, Sister Brown, Elder James and Elder Morgan.  They are so excited and it was so fun to meet them, especially the Sister missionaries as we had been looking for each other all week.  They will soon be gone on their way and we on ours and we will be meeting some of their family members.  

MTC - In Bountiful

We asked our granddaughter if she wanted to be baptized and she said she did.  Does that count as our first convert baptism?  It was nice to be at this sacred event and Paige was so happy to become a member of the Church on her 8th birthday.  It's hard to say good-bye again to those you love so much, but it was a delightful day.  Cherie, Kari and all of the kids came with us back to the MTC which made us very happy.  The whole day was good (except the score of the BYU-Utah game) and we loved seeing Julie and Tom, Melissa and Jeff, Lauren, Mom and Dad and all of Cherie's family again.  

We finally met Sister Williams from Wales.  She and Sister Brown have been looking for us all week.   We will be able to meet the three other missionaries from Wales tomorrow.  This is the first time they have had so many from Wales at the MTC at the same time so they are taking a picture together tomorrow for the Liahona.  It will be fun if it gets published.  Sister Williams was so full of life, so happy to meet us and so warm and expressive.  That was extra nice.

MTC - Day Five

Today was the best day for us as far as our teaching goes.  We had a "new convert" to teach the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" or in other words, faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end with a little Family History thrown in.  Our "new convert" was wonderful and it was so much fun teaching her.  The Spirit is so strong when we are teaching and testifying, even if it is in a role play.  

The teachers here are amazing and now that they know us a little better things have become a bit more relaxed and we are having a fun time with them.  They just have to get us back on track once in awhile. I can't remember when I have been surrounded by so many pure souls. When they tell us, as Brother Depperman did today, "If you work and believe in miracles they will happen," I can't help but believe him.  These teachers are so young, yet so wise. He reminded us to, "Be a missionary every day all day - in fact, be a full-time missionary."  They have given us a brighter and a broader view of what our responsibilities will be. I thought we would just be going out and working with Young Adults and the youth in the Church Education System. Now I feel that we should be doing much more, being "anxiously engaged".  We have been reminded over and over again that when you meet someone who is interested in the Gospel, do not look for the missionaries - "You are the missionaries."  I knew I was going on a mission, but I didn't think of myself as being a missionary. But they also told us, "Where much is given, much is expected. But where much is expected, much is given." I hope we can do this right.

MTC - Day Four

What a wonderful thing it is to be here with so many dedicated missionaries.  The senior couples are amazing and we are having some very touching experiences and a lot of fun exchanges with the senior couples and with the young missionaries.  I love the interaction we can have with the young elders and sisters as we walk along the campus and when we eat in the cafeteria. They are so fun to talk to and we all enjoyed the bird flying around in the cafeteria for the past two days The elder we sat with this evening was from Canada, had lived in North Salt Lake and attended WX High School. He is on his way to Richmond, Virginia.  He was really fun to talk to, very friendly. Wayne remembers his name as Elder Furnell.  Kristy and Rustin will have to watch for him.  

MTC

We are here!  Just like everyone says, it is an amazing experience.  It has changed my perspective of what our purpose is as CES missionaries.  I had put the emphasis on the CES part and had not completely realized that we are missionaries so very much like other missionaries.  It has been a learning, growing and humbling experience.  

The highlight has been the devotional last night.  Elder Jeffrey R. and Sister Patricia Holland were the speakers.  They never let the missionaries know who it will be until they arrive.  It was a thrill to see them come in and the talks were outstanding.  The singing of "Called to Serve" with all those missionaries was thrilling.  Such power and conviction! I love seeing the missionaries and we are encouraged to interact with them.  Today 586 new missionaries are coming in.  They doubled up this week because they aren't having any missionaries come in next week because of Thanksgiving.  

Down to the Wire

It must be about time.  We were invited to express our feelings to the Stake Presidency and the High Council this past Sunday.  That was a little intimidating, but a very good experience.  Our Stake President, Jamie Dester, is one of the greatest men I have ever met.  He is so loving and kind and the light of the gospel just shines from him.  He has a great smile and is generous in displaying it.  How lucky to be in our ward and stake.  

Our Bishop, Kent Larson, is fun and a very excellent man even if he does give me a hard time occasionally.  Five months ago when I told him I had fears about submitting our mission papers and going into the unknown he called me a "big baby" and told me to get out there.  This from my kind, sweet, spiritual bishop.  I will miss our ward and stake but am grateful for the strength they have been to me and for all the people who have taught me so well and set such exceptional examples of righteousness and helpfulness for me. Now is the time to put into practice all they have given us.  I hope we can represent them well, or at least not be an embarrassment to them. 

I was invited to lunch yesterday at the Little America to say good-bye to some of my friends from work.  It was most pleasant though sad to close the door on that part of my life.  I have learned so much about service, going the extra mile, generosity and that "good enough never is" from them.  I love their "can do" attitude and hope I take it with me.  

We speak in church Sunday, Julie and Cherie are helping us so much in the winding down process and they have no idea what a burden they have lifted from our shoulders, we turn our home over to Emily and Jeremy Leger who have been a blessing to us -- in fact one of the Lord's tender mercies manifest in our lives, then we enter the MTC Monday morning and fly to Birmingham, England on Thanksgiving morning at 8:30.  (We will take a little detour on Saturday the 22nd to come up here for Paige's baptism.  I'm glad we don't have to miss that.) We will be on our way before we know it.  We have communicated with our landlady so things are set.  We arrive in Birmingham at the Mission Home at 10:30 the morning of the 28th.  Be sure to write to us because we will be missing you. 

Addresses

Autumn, and indeed winter is in the air. The snow is falling on our autumn leaves outside my window and soon we will be leaving. We hope to hear from some of you whether it is by comments on our blog; by email: ccableusa@mac.com or wcable3875@msn.com; or in a real, live letter. From the 17th until Thanksgiving we will be in the MTC:  

Elder and Sister Cable

Birmingham England CES Programs Mission

Provo Missionary Training Center

2005 N 900 E

Provo UT 84604

Our Mission address is:

England Birmingham Mission

187 Penns Lane Sutton Coldfield

West Midlands

England B76 1JU U.K..  

No later than the 1st of December we should be able to be reached at: 

7 Retford Court, The Philog

Whitchurch CF14 1EE

Cardiff, Wales, U.K.  

I hope that isn't too much information and I do hope we will be able to keep in touch.