....when seven days feels like a year....

From this vantage point this week feels like a few decades! It seems almost impossible that it was just a week ago we hugged Scott and Meg goodbye and waved them off in their new car. Impossible! But every time I check, it has been just one week!

We returned to the MTC for our "office training". Had dinner with Daniel and a short visit with Fred and Michelle on Tuesday. I think we finished watching the safety videos on Wednesday. Following testimony meeting with our group on Thursday afternoon, we returned home.

They asked us to hang this outside our door when we left

We had our packing to finish up. Hugging and kissing tired grandchildren goodbye was particularly difficult. Many of us shed copious tears.......I believe some people would have called us "watering pots", and would be fairly accurate!



Brian and Michael took us to the airport where Richard also met us. I was grateful to have their help wrestling with our large bags! They all came in under 50 pounds!! Yay!! The "boys" waved and waved..... even while I waited for Dad on the other side of security, they were still there, waving and waving. It did my heart good. Thank you guys! Dad enjoyed the reversal of roles here--us telling each of you goodbye and waving--now you are doing the same thing for us.

Our flights were good. I had the middle seat from SLC to JFK.........which was okay. We were so tired, I slept and read most of the way. We flew way north to avoid storms in the Midwest. (I love those flight trackers on the screens!) I was surprised how far north we went. The first projected route was right across the middle of Lake Michigan. I guess the storms were worse than expected.

I was extremely blessed with a window seat from NYC to Sao Paulo. We left NY just after 9:00 p.m. I wished we could have flown in the daytime--with a window seat, of course. But nighttime is pretty as well. And the sunrise spectacular!

The bright light just off the wing is really the light on the wing. I find that light particularly comforting when I fly at night...... And I had to have a picture of my "first site" of Brazil!

I guess this wasn't really my first sight of it..........this is Sao Paulo.......but it was either too dark or cloudy over the rain forest, which tried my patience some. President and Sister Triumpho met us at the airport in Salvador. We were close to an hour late as they were struggling with a door on the plane in Sao Paulo. We were so tired! Weary, is maybe a better word. But here we are!!!! Sister Triumpho took some pictures.......I'll try to get them. Though I shudder to think what we looked like!

MTC Memories

Our time here at the MTC is coming to an end. We have had a wonderful experience here. I just wanted to share some things here before they get lost in the rush of the final preparations, the travel, and all the newness to come.............

While eating dinner tonight, a man from across the table noticed our name tags and said something about having Stevensons in his line but spelled with a 'v'. Roger nodded and said I did too. He said Edward, and that caught my attention! When I looked at his name tag, I blurted out, "Uncle Charlie!?" Turns out Uncle Charlie and Aunt Louise are his grandparents--making us second cousins! It is their daughter who is friends with Janeen in Chandler! He remembers his father talking about the good times they had in Marion with the Andrus part of the family there. They are going to Billings to do records preservation, taking their daughter with Downs Syndrome with them. She has taken the Sisters by storm. They take her to sit with them while they eat, then she comes to find her parents. It has been a sweet, tender experience. Andy and Jana Fox. Andy is my second cousin!

We were able to find and meet in person our sweet Portuguese tutor--Erin. We love her!

This is our District. Elder and Sister McEwen going to Texas. Elder and Sister Anderson from Grantsville. Sister Keepman, our teacher. Some of the best people you could know!

The Allreds who worked with us at the temple. It's been so fun to have them here. They left last week for California.........they are MLS.

In one of the new buildings here they have some beautiful murals. Some of them make you catch your breath. These pictures don't begin to do them justice. But it will give you a little taste of their message.

The sons of Mosiah entering the land of Nephi

Moses and the children of Israel walking through the Red Sea

The Brother of Jared making his clear stones

And my favorite.........Martha

 I have gained a deep appreciation for this valiant, faithful woman. She loved the Savior and prepared her best for Him and the others who were with Him. I love her declaration: "I believe that thou are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."

And another one from our room. I never cease to marvel at the loveliness of this world..........

 Tonight, after dinner a few of us went to see the "Roots of Knowledge"........stained glass art at the library at UVU. Again.........this picture is woefully lacking and not even a tenth of the whole thing. This is really something you should make the effort to see if you are in the area!

 

Preach My Gospel~~Ministering

What a wonderful week we have had! And amazing too! It really shouldn't amaze me--after all, this is the Lord's work. I guess part of the amazing thing is that He allows us to be a part of it. Reminds me of Elder Holland's talk about working with imperfect mortals. Thank goodness the Lord is patient!

Our "Preach my Gospel" training was so good! I think every member of the church would be blessed by having this training. We were paired with another senior couple and we took turns teaching each other. You would think there wouldn't be much to teach about in a situation like this. We get to know one another and the concerns we have then plan a lesson, teach doctrine and follow up. It's ministering!!! And the principles are the same whether you are teaching someone who has never heard about Jesus Christ or strengthening one another. That's how I approached it anyway. How does one teach an ex-stake president!?!?!! I'm certain we were not paired by accident. They have been wonderful! We have decided we are going to have to have a fireside together when we get home to hear all about the other mission. They are going to Australia for 18 months--to Sydney, I think.

The young people who teach us are amazing!!! They are such good role models to follow in our teaching. And just so positive and enthusiastic and encouraging. I suppose they know we need that!

We went home for the weekend--now we are back for our "office training". Four days of that.......

Here is the view from our window........

Day 1--Hurrah for Israel!

Well, it has begun! In a way, it is so hard to believe we are really here and really doing this. It has been so long in coming it almost felt that it would never come. Our Stake President gave us wonderful blessings yesterday when he set us apart. I'm so thankful for the power of and in the priesthood! However, I'm still a little "heart sore" and a little teary. I vividly recall the feeling I had one day, standing in the temple, greeting people, when this thought blazed through my mind: "I love my life! What in the world am I doing?! Ripping it out by the roots!" And I had the clear image of a beautiful flower, rich dirt still clinging to the roots, ruthlessly jerked from the ground! But I know this is what the Lord would have us do at this time. Having that name tag clipped to my shoulder was such a good feeling......... I so want to be an asset to the kingdom!

We have met so many wonderful people. It has been rather amazing..........so many faithful members of the church, gladly going out to serve the Lord. There are 80-86 senior missionaries who came today. Four are single sisters. Some from this small group will be going to 14 states in the US; some will be going to 14 different countries; and to five of the six inhabited continents in the world!! One of the counselors in the MTC presidency had that information, and then told us he could not think of a gathering of people like that anywhere else in all the world. I would have to agree. But then, where else would you have a group of people with the same knowledge and purpose?