A busy Sunday and Monday at the MTC

Sunday night we listen to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, and as we were walking back to our room we took pictures in front of the lights at the MTC. The next picture is of Elder and Sister Godfrey. He was a missionary in Houston from 1960-1962. He frequently eat in the Hinson home. He also coached Fred in Derringer league baseball. (The missionaries would set up teams, and then they would play each other.) Elder Godfrey's team won state. It was wonderful for Fred and Elder Godfrey to have a reunion in the MTC. The Godfrey's will be serving in South Africa as Humanitarian missionaries. There are no coincidences in the Church! Today (Monday) we had a wonderful day spent at Welfare Square, and also the Humanitarian center. You just can't imagine all the world wide projects the church is involved in. Very inspiring! We had a nice lunch at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, and were fortunate to be able to hear Elder Glenn Rudd speak. He was one of the key church leaders that helped formulate the church welfare system as it is today. Its has been an inspiring day!

Senior Missionary Class December 2008

We just took an MTC group photo of our Senior missionary class. We have grown to love many of these people.

1st Week at MTC

We met Monday morning with all the other Senior Couples, and what an exceptional group of people we will be serving with. We are all going to different parts of the world. Out of our group there will be someone serving on every continent. We received our schedules for the week, wow are we busy. Breakfast at 7:00 am, we start training meetings from 8:00-12:00. Lunch at 12:00, meetings start again from 1:30-4:30, Dinner at 5:00, and then we start Language training from 6:00-8:00. We are certainly ready for lights out way before 10:30. This week is all teach my gospel classes at an accelerated pace. We are learning so much, and the teachers here are wonderful. They bring such a good spirit into the presentations, and make us get out of our comfort zone. We have taught two discussions to people they bring in that act as investigators or less active families. The spirit is so strong here, and everyday we have confirmation that this is where we are suppose to be. We have made good friends with so many here, and hope to stay in contact as we all leave to serve.

Departure for the MTC

The day of our departure Nov. 29, 2008 was here. Our family gathered together in our home for lots of hugs and kisses. Uncle Tim was asked to give Fred and I a blessing of comfort and councel, and are greatful for his willingness to do this. We then loaded up Tim and Wendy's Expedition with all of our bags (3 suitcases apiece) and headed to the airport, never looking back! That was a hard thing to do but we knew the Lord has something wonderful waiting for us in our new assignment. The flight to Salt Lake was uneventful and smooth, and we arrived at the MTC at 6:20 pm the evening. They greeted us with open arms and were so helpful in getting us settled. We got unpacked and prepared to start our spiritual feast the next morning with Sacrament meeting at 8:00 am sharp. (That's early!) Hugs and Kisses to all the family.

Setting Apart November 20, 2008

Fred and I were set apart as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We were greatful that so many of our family members were able to come and share in this wonderful experience with us. President Schmitt had each person give us counsel on things that will help us in the mission field. We were told to pray always, listen and follow the spirit, love the people we will work with, study the scriptures, and not worry about things at home. (They will be taken care of by capable family members.) We love our family and appreciate all the support we have received in our preparations to serve.