The mission day started with several heavenly hugs! A sister came up to me before the Monday Mission devotional and gave me a hug! She and I served in the St. Louis Temple before she entered husband were transferred to the Kansas City Temple a few years ago. It was so exciting to see that dear friend. She was the first one other than myself to say that the Lord specifically directed them to serve a mission. This is Zion to me.
There was another heavenly hug does the program was in there. The special musical number by the Elijah choir was Oh, What Songs of the Heart, a hymn I have loved since the first time I ever remember hearing it signed I ever remember hearing it sung by the Mormon Tabernacle choir in General conference of 2000 or 2001. When the meeting was over I asked the director when practice was for the Elijah choir, and found out it is held across the street from my apartment on Wednesday afternoon. I will as often as possible attend practice and sing with the choir.
Our morning meetings were enjoyable and informative. At the delicious lunch served in the Joseph Smith Memorial building I sat at the table with President Tate. He mentioned the Star Valley temple so I ventured to tell him that one of my missionaries was from Star Valley, and I really would like to go to the open house for the temple over conference weekend in October. I am hoping to get permission to do that with my sweetheart Gregory.
I mentioned my sweetheart to one of the other sisters, and she told Sister Tate that I had someone waiting for me. Most of the others at the table are planning to spend 18 months in the mission, but they understood why I will not be extending past my one year mark!
After the luncheon we started our actual training. My regular trainer was not there so I got to do my one-on-one with the sister that runs the swap meet. This was most enjoyable, and I already learned a few new tricks in Family Tree and FamilySearch! I expect to learn many new things that I can then use when I come home to Missouri.
When I decided to bring my car to the mission, I had thought I might be able to help some of the sisters who did not have a car there. Today I was able to run through a shower to get my car and pick up a sister who has some difficulty walking. Then we went shopping. We both got some items we had been missing. I am glad to now have an umbrella! It was on clearance and only cost one dollar, a beautiful tithing benefit.
When we return to the apartment as I was helping the Sister carry her things in, I realized that she was a native Spanish speaker. She agreed to help me learn Spanish!
Just to report on something back home, the groundhog who took up residence under our porch now has a little groundhog accompanying her! If anyone has any ideas on how to get rid of a groundhog please let us know!
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