MTC - Mission President Seminar

The Mission President's Seminar at the MTC was a very special and uplifting experience for us.  It was wonderful to have Shealyn there at the same time-- she was invited to sing in the special choir that sang each day in our meetings, so it was fun to see her.  The choir was beautiful and added significantly to each day.

There sure is a lot of blue water between where we are now and where we are going!  Each day we had talks by general authorities, and training sessions by members of the Seventy and the Missionary department.  It was very helpful, and we feel better prepared, and more excited, to start.  The spirit was so strong each day-- just being in the MTC you feel that.  When we joined with the all the missionaries for the weekly devotional and they all began singing "Called to Serve" it was electrifying. One of the things we were not necessarily expecting was how fun it was to meet and talk with and make friends with the other couples who are leaving to serve in countries around the world.  We spent a a lot of time with the couples who are going to the Asia area missions and look forward to seeing them in Hong Kong every 6 months or so at Area meetings.  We had a special dinner with Elder Oakes and other general authorities one evening and took a photo of the Asia area couples:

Saturday evening we had the opportunity to meet a group of our missionaries who are currently in the MTC studying Cambodian and Vietnamese.  We have 9 elders, and 3 sisters currently here.  It was absolutely wonderful to meet with them, feel of their spirit and faith, and talk to them for a short while.  We look forward to welcoming them to Cambodia in another month or so!

Setting Apart

 This is some of our family, taken right after we were set apart by Elder Perry and Elder Hallstrom.  From left to right, Dave's parents, Mackenzie, Rachel, Sis. & Pres. Moon, Kelcy, Shealyn, Chantelle, Nic & Krista (with their children), and Kathryn's parents.

 Our six beautiful daughters (and which # child they are) - Kelcy (1), Chantelle (6), Rachel (4), Shealyn (5), Krista (2), and Mackenzie (7).

With our daughter Shealyn, right before her being set apart as a missionary in the Virginia Richmond Mission.  She entered the MTC on June 20, 2012.  She is very excited to be on her way!

Less than a month!

With less than a month to go we thought we should probably get a blog going - we hope to use this blog to share experiences from our mission with family and friends.  We are very excited to go-- the more we learn about the wonderful missionaries and members in Cambodia and Vietnam the  more we can't wait to join them!  

Perhaps a quick recap of the events leading up to this point-- we received a call to preside over the Cambodia Phnom Penh mission from Pres. Henry B. Eyring, on January 10, 2012.  We will enter the MTC on June 23rd for a few days of training, and then fly to Cambodia on June 28th.  We are scheduled to be set apart by Elder L. Tom Perry on June 19th in his office in Salt Lake.  It will be an eventful day as our daughter Shealyn will be set apart as a full-time missionary that evening, to serve in the Virginia Richmond mission.

The past couple of months have been busy as we wind things down here.  Getting shots, language lessons, studying Preach My Gospel, visiting friends, packing up things at home, buying missionary clothes, and probably the most fun-- spending time with grandkids and our children.  A highlight has been going through the temple for the first time with two of daughters in the last few months-- Shealyn and Rachel.

We know that our Heavenly Father lives and loves us, that His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior, and with His help we will do all we can to help love and serve His children in Cambodia and Vietnam.  We are excited to begin!