Well we have survived our first week. It has been really different here. The flight was long and we were fed fish w/rice, chicken w/rice, and beef w/rice. We made it through customs without any problems. We have been fed every night by the other couples that are here. The Clarks have been helpful in showing us around to some of the stores that are within walking distance. Our apartment is larger that we expected and quite nice. The only drawback is that it is on the 4th floor and that is a lot of stairs to climb. The traffic is really something. Everyone just drives wherever and they cut each other off constantly but no one seems to be bothered by it. Pedestrians do not have the right of way even in crosswalks so you have to cross the street very carefully. And since the ground is always frozen and icy, you do not run. If it is too cold to walk someplace, you stand beside the road with your hand out and a car will stop and you pay them to take you where you want to go. But the people here are very friendly and the ones in the office here are so helpful. Some are returned missionaries and some are preparing for missions. Our secretary is Miiga (Meega) and we will depend on her a lot. She has worked with the last few Employment couples and knows everything about how this office runs. Friday evening we attended a baptism of a deaf man and his wife. It was great. They both stood and bore their testimony. Then on Sunday we attended a different branch and 2 women were confirmed that had also been baptized on Friday. They have baptisms almost every Friday in one or more of the buildings. It is awesome.
Well we are almost through here in the MTC(Missionary Training Center). Right now we are in the computer class so I can write some but will have to post pics later. We left Hurricane on the 3rd and our son-in-law, grant, drove us to the MTC. I only cried for two towns after saying good-bye to Kelli and the kids. When we got to the MTC we were notified that we would be staying at the Marriott instead of the MTC apartments. But we have suffered through it!!! We have had some great training including tours of Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Center. We have also had some meetings and training in the Joseph Smith Building including a fabulous luncheon. Last Friday we had to bear our testimony in Mongolian!! I actually did it without any notes! We have been able to attend two devotionals. Elder Baxter of the Seventy spoke at the first one and Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Twelve spoke this week. Yesterday we got a new MTC president, President Brown. Well our teacher is here and wants to start the class so that is all for now.
