Jan 10, 2009, Sat, Day 1, Trip to WV

The drive east along I-70, from Salina is a spectacular drive on the northern edge of Utah's canyonlands.

We finally crossed the Rocky's on I-70 and stopped for the night in Golden, Colorado.

We are happy to be on our way to our field of labor in West Virginia!

Saturday, Jan 10, we departed from Provo with temperature just above 9 degrees, but with clearing sky's and bright sunshine. As we drove south through the farming community of Gunnison, on our way to the junction of US 86 and I-70, we photographed these trees that were covered with frozen white of the previous snow.

Jan 9, 2009, Friday, last day at MTC

One of the best things that happens to us at the MTC is our opportunity to have these wonderful returned missionaries as our teachers, helping us learn how to best use "Preach My Gospel" and work effectively with local priesthood leaders and members in the church units where we will be serving. These are great young men!

These two dear, former sister missionaries really touched our hearts as they spoke of their experiences in the small community of Finley, Australia back in 2002.

They consented to come out to the main hallway and pose before the big world map with Sister Chapman.

They now serve as volunteers at the MTC, inspiring senior missionaries with their stories of faith and fortitude in the face of almost total opposition. We just loved the spirit they brought to our large, end-of-the-day meeting with all the senior missionaries.

Jan 6, 2009, Tuesday, Provo MTC

This was the view from our room on Tuesday morning as the snow continued to fall. We are on the 2nd floor of the Jacob Hamblin building where they house the senior missionary couples and older single sisters. The rooms are small, but we have what we need. We are very grateful we are not housed down at the Super 8 motel where some of the missionary couples are staying as the drive back and forth is challenge for them on these snowy mornings and evenings.

We've met such good, devoted couples, some on going on their 4th and 5th missions. Many, like us, are on their 2nd mission.

All day, Tuesday, it continued to snow here at the MTC in Provo. Street conditions prevented many of the older volunteers who help with training sessions from being able to drive safely to the MTC so we were teaching each other as missionary couples. It was fun! What a choice experience!

Jan 5, 2009, Monday, Arrival at Provo MTC

The cold and snow doesn't bother Sister Linda Chapman. Everything about the Missionary Training Center is so special, who can complain about a beautiful snow fall on the day of our arrival, Monday, Jan 5.

Not long after this picture was taken (3:00 p.m.) it started to snow again and continued snowing until long after nightfall. To us it looked like at least 10 new inches of snow. It made it kind of interesting to unload our things from the car and get them to our room. What fun!