This is a time of a lot of firsts - first time on a mission away from home, first time in a downtown apartment, and first time on a blog! We decided this is a good way to record some of our experiences that we would like to remember and also to tell our family and friends about. So bear with us as we get ourselves into the 21st Century and learn the world of blogging!
We've been in Salt Lake for almost 2 weeks now but it sure does seem longer! Yes, Lynne is pretty homesick right now but as we get busy on our mission, that will pass. We live on the top floor of our apartment building on South Temple. We are a block away from the Beehive House, Church Headquarters, and let's not forget City Creek Mall! We look out over the Brigham Young Memorial Park. It has his grave, I believe, in the corner. It looks like a small, peaceful park but we've only seen it covered in snow so we can't really tell! When we have gone on walks (few because of the sub-artic temperatures and snow!) we go to City Creek Mall or Temple Square. There's a lot of areas left to explore. We hope to get to a couple of museums this week.
We have an interesting ward here. We meet in the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg. in the renovated ballroom. It's beautiful! Our ward's nickname evidently is "Newly Married and Nearly Dead"- that gives you an idea of the demographics! But we get to sit in Relief Society and Sunday School and look out the window at the Salt Lake Temple. That tends to get you in the mood to listen. There is no Primary or Youth programs. But lots of sisters - 2/3 of the ward are sisters. Today, we were in the chapel with Sacrament Meeting almost starting and in walks Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard from the Council of the Twelve! They live in our ward. It was a great experience to see them sitting on the podium all during the meeting. Hope I never have to give a talk here when they are attending - how intimidating that would be!
We are just trying to get settled in our little apartment and create some kind of order. It's amazing how much stuff you get into closets with a little bit of organization! We still haven't gotten the food storage routine down though. We walk to the store, a block away, every few days with our backpack and reusable bags and pick up what we need. Feeling very metropolitan! We made the mistake of find the Godiva Chocolate store at City Creek! I may be a triple wide before we get back home!!!
We start our Training for the Family History Mission on January 28th. We are ready to get going on this. We go through training for the first week and then on Friday, the mission president will give us our assignment. We will be assigned to one of 18 different zones, which all have a different purpose. So we have no idea what we will be assigned to.
We'll keep you posted!
I just had surgery at the LDS hospital last Monday. Just think, I was right next door to you! I am happy for what is ahead of you. Elaine and Martin are in Germany on a mission and now you. I guess we are the age. Good to hear from you. Kristy
ReplyDeleteSo excited that you guys are going to share your experiences with us via your blog. We've loved following my parent's adventures in Fiji this was as well. What a blessing you guys will be in the Family History Mission.
ReplyDeleteMy grandma (my dad's mom) and her husband live at:
Rudy and Virgina Broennimann
Zions Summit
241 North Vine Street Unit 1202
I'm thinking you guys might be in the same ward. They live there but this year have been asked to serve in the hospital ward and so I think they go there on Sundays and one day a week. They do attend activities with their real ward, though. They are both young at heart and could carry on a lively conversation if you get bored.
So keep up the posts!!! We sure love you guys! (P.S. My parents are on their final countdown for returning home from their mission. They return to the states on March 23rd)