We officially finished our training on Thursday. Most of our group has gone--to all parts of the globe from the Congo to Taiwan. There are several of us heading to South America and anyone going to Argentina or Brazil is experiencing delays in getting their visa. One couple has been waiting 12 weeks! The elders and sisters called to Brazil were supposed to go to the Brazil MTC, but are taking their training here while they wait. No one knows why the holdup.
It's not exactly a bad thing for us. Mom's leg is better; the swelling is way down and the pain is mostly under control, but we have reached the place where we are treating the symptoms, not the cause. Next Wed. Mom sees a highly recommended doctor and maybe we will get some answers. For right now, Mom plods along wearing a full leg athletic wrap and one of Dad's flip flops. The other foot wears a regular shoe.
The trainer room at the MTC is a hoppin' place--literally. There is a steady stream of walking injured coming through the door--either a new injury or a follow up treatment. Many are hopping along or are on crutches.We have gotten to know some very remarkable young people as they deal with adversity.
There is a new mission called "Internet Prostelyting" The missionaries assigned there usually were unable to complete their misssions in the normal way. Here at the MTC, they take inquiries from links on the internet and actually teach the lessons in chat forms. They work with the local missionaries and members for the fellowshipping and actual baptisms, but they are the teaching elders. They work with people all over the world. One such elder said they had had 100 verified(via new member records) baptisms since January. He severely injured his foot on his mission and it looked like he was not going to be able to finish, but this opportunity opened up and he is delighted to be able to continue as a missionary.
The other day, all the sister missionaries were atwitter at the news from SLC that sister missionaries do not have to wear nylons anymore. Some missions may require them, but the MTC and most will not. How practical!
How are you all coming with getting Skype? We miss you all--especially our grandbabies and want to see them. You can always reply to the blogpost by emailing us. We would love to hear from you. Our cell phones still work as long as we are here--although we usually have them off during the day.
Love,
Elder Dad and Sister Mom

Today was a slow day so we decided to explore the MTC campus. Looking in the MTC guidebook, we noticed there was a physical therapist at the gym. We decided to check it out, since Mom's leg had hurt her all night. It is a good thing we did. My leg was swollen to the point of dimpling and headed for severe trouble. The therapist did STEM therapy which is with electrodes and feels great. I had the same therapy at home. She then messaged the swellling out and recommended continued treatment. So I will go in twice a day--early in the morning and about 8:30 at night. If the swelling isn't down in a week, the therapist is going to recommend an MRI. I hope it doesn't come to that. We think we were inspired to go because it could have become a big problem.

July 9, 2010

It has been a busy week full of Preach My Gospel training all day and Spanish classes for 2 hours every night. Everyone has been very concerned about Mom having to climb 3 flights of stairs to our room every day. The office made a special effort and today we moved downstairs to the ground floor. What a difference it makes!
Our training was very powerful as we learned how to invite people to come unto Christ. The group we are in is full of wonderful people; it's like going to the temple---only everybody gets to talk. The Spirit is very strong.
We have a tentative plan if our visas don't come through for a while. Next week is our regular scheduled training for the office which will focus on the Church computer program. If we are here the next week, we will spend mornings at the BYU Family History Center and afternoons in language training. The next week, we will take Humanitarian training. That would include a day on Welfare Square--which would be awesome!
Everyone is complaining of the heat--except us and another couple from San Tan Valley. He went to Argentina on his first mission just after Dad. They had a grand time remembering. We think their son is in Bridlegate Ward. Ebersol, I think; she is the Primary president.

We Arrive

Ron and Joanie and their dog Mikey brought us down to the MTC on Monday. Senior missionaries can drive around to their rooms, so Ron drove us around to our door. We discovered we are on the 3rd floor, which is not great for Mom's knee. Kind Ron and Joanie voluntered to help bring up our luggage. The reward for their efforts was that Mikey jumped out of the car during their absence and was nowhere to be seen. Ron went out into the MTC and we drove the perimeter in the car. It wasn't long before we saw missionaries running after something. Bystanders told us they were chasing a little white and gray dog. Eventually, Mikey was cornered; Joanie retrieved him; Ron rejoined us and all was well. The missionaries said it was the best fun they had had in a long time, but it wasn't fun for Ron and Joanie.

We made it to Utah safely and are now in the mountains in Park City at my brother"s house. It it cold! It is all of 70 degrees. When did we turn into Arizonans! Michelle, I apologize. When you were cold all the time when you stayed with us in Chula ,Vista, I didn't understand how you could possibly be cold. I do now.
Joanie and Ron are great cooks and gracious hosts. We are having a good time.
Thank you again to all of you who helped with deconstructing the house.
Tomorrow the adventure begins.