We Are Finished at the MTC

Today was our last day at the MTC. We have been working all week on computers and learning all the wonderful things that we do in the office, such as housing, cars (fleet), transfers, travel, newsletters, entering new member records, finances. Yes indeed, we are saturated with information. We have learned about the functions of Microsoft Word (which is really fun), Excell (a little), IMOS (Intranet Mission Office System), and several others. We've done this all in four days. Aren't we remarkable! Well, this afternoon, we had sort of a test. We could get all the help we needed from our notebooks and the computer help section. But, we weren't supposed to ask our instructors for help. That was a challenge. These older minds of ours can't assimulate information like young minds can. We had great returned missionary teachers who were very patient with us.

Because the sisters have different responsibilities in the office than the elders do, we were divided into two groups for three of those days. These were a fun group of sisters. On Sunday, the sister on the far left had a death in her family. Her granddaughter's husband died. Sister Elmer and her husband stayed the whole week and did their training. Tomorrow is the funeral, and they will be attending. They were sweet, humble people and showed a lot of courage.

Sorry this newsletter is on its side, but I just had to show my creation for the mission newsletter. We really had fun working on the newsletter, and I learned a lot.

This group of Polynesians (except for the sisters) sang at the Tuesday devotional. I walked out the door from the devotional and they were having their picture taken. I asked if I could take their picture, and they told me to come and get in the picture, so I did. Their song,"The Sound
of the Innocent," was beautiful. They sang acapella. Notice the "shaka" sign. I will miss the spirit of the MTC. There's just something so wonderful about learning the gospel and having that missionary spirit.

Isn't this a handsome boy. Zack turned eight years old on May 2nd, and he was baptized on May 15th. Ryan and Jenny got special permission to have his baptism so that we could attend. It was a very nice day, and Zack is a very nice boy. Below, Zack and Ryan pose. Notice that Zack has Dick's missionary badge on.

Zack had a lot of family and friends who attended. Lots of people love you, Zack!

Ali and her cousin McKenna (Travis Wood's daughter).

The grandparents and Zack--Dick and I and Larry and Geri Wood

We were also able to attend Milly's pre-school graduation. We finished our class at the MTC at 5:00, ate dinner and then went out to Spanish Fork for Milly's graduation.

The grandparents with Milly

Four cute kids that I love and will miss very much.

We will be leaving on Monday, May 24th and will be driving to New York and taking about eight days to drive. Please keep us in your prayers. We hope our car will make it to Detroit, where we will leave our van with Matt and Stacie and pick up a new Ford Fusion to drive to New York.

This blog will probably be put on hold for a few weeks until we can set things up in our apartment. I have a feeling we're going to be very busy. The Gospel is true. I know that. We love you all.

A Great Week!

Well, the day finally arrived! On May 9th, 2010, (Mother's Day) we spoke in church prior to leaving for our MTC experience. Because it was Mother's Day, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak about mothers who have influenced my life. I spoke about my real mother, Ruth, and how she taught me service, compassion and love. Then, I spoke about my Aunt Frances (who was my mother for 42 years after my real mother died). She taught me to work and taught me the meaning of love. I also spoke about my mother-in-law, Louise Dalebout, and how she taught me the meaning of determination and devotion to the gospel through her missionary service. I also paid tribute to my own daughters and daughters-in-law, who I think are terrific mothers.

Dick spoke about faith and told about the faith that his Grandmother Berendina Dalebout had to join the church in Holland and come to The United States alone for the gospel sake. It was a very good talk about how we have to have the faith to do many difficult things in our lives.

Afterwards, we all came over to our house for a nice luncheon.

Dick and I

Jenny's and Ryan's family with Dick and I

Mike and Maria Lund, Bill and Grandpa Dalebout, Geri and Larry Wood

Opie and Reed Miller, Michelle and Scott Parrott, Mike Lund

It was a beautiful day outside so some of us sat on the deck. LeRoy and Julianna Thong, Keshia Lai and Dick

Dedee Dalebout, Geri Miller, Kiffin Miller, Maralee Santo, Jenny Wood, Michelle Marchant

Amanda and Allison Parrott, Kyle Miller, Brian Parrott and Tyson Santo

Evan Santo, Aaron Santo, Spencer Wood, Ali Wood, Ryan Wood, Millie and Zack Wood

Brian Parrott, Glen Miller, Grant Miller, Roy Santo

Monday morning, Dick and I entered the MTC in Provo. We have had a glorious week learning to preach the gospel from the Preach My Gospel book. The spirit is strong at the MTC, and we have learned valuable information that will certainly help us on our mission. The couple missionaries in our group are the "salt of the earth" type people. Many of them have had to go through difficult health problems. Some have been delayed from going on a mission. We really fit right in on that score. There were people going to Cove Fort (three couples), Nauvoo (three couples), Kirtland (two couples), New Zealand, Austraila, Ukraine, Guam, Moscow, Los Angeles, Oklahoma, Texas, New York, as well as others I've missed. They are truly an inspiration to me of picking up and leaving their homes for a year to a year and a half. When you see the wonderful people who humble themselves to serve the Lord, it makes you grateful that these people will be the Lord's representatives. They are great people.

Below are Elder and Sister Lovett, from Las Vegas, who are going to the Moscow, Russia Mission. They were in our district and were delightful people.

Below are our classroom teachers, Brother Harmer and Brother Pyne, who are both returned

missionaries.

Here is a picture of all the couple missionaries except one couple, the Lovetts. Elder Lovett got sick and couldn't be here the last day.

Here are all our teachers during the week. They were great. Jonathan Pike, a friend of Billy's, is on the far right.

At devotional, we were able to hear from Elder Jeffrey Holland. It was a powerful talk about staying true to the faith after you complete your missions.

I loved the week, but I didn't love the sitting, sitting, sitting. They were very kind to us and gave us cushions to sit on and a stool to put our legs on. I guess they know what we older folks need. We did have breaks almost every hour. We had some great returned couple missionaries who were very inspirational and they really made you want to get out and do the work. A great week. And, I might add, the food was really good at the MTC.

Events of the Past Week and a Half

What a glorious week and a half we have had. Our whole immediate family, except for Shelley and Jordan, were here. Jordan is competing in gymnastics at a national level on May 8th and needed to stay in Texas to continue her training. Shelley stayed to lend support. This picture is the day we were set apart as missionaries. We got special permission to be set apart while our family was here. President David Warner set us apart, and the spirit was very strong. It was wonderful. We're so grateful most of our family could be here.
Sunday night, we went over to Jenny's to have a dinner with the Brennan family.

Grandpa surrounded by great grandchildren.

Billy with Dick and I.

On the day of the wedding, the weather was beautiful, blue skies and cool temperatures, but nice in the sun.

The bride and groom as they came out of the temple. I think they enjoyed the kissing.

Our children with Amy and Billy.

Our grandchildren with Amy and Billy. The little girl on Spencer's lap is Carly and is Amy's

neice.

A great picture of two cute boys, Matthew top (Scott's son) and Jacob bottom (Matt's son)
Billy with his brothers and brothers-in-law.

Billy with his sisters, Jenny and Amy.

Four generations of Dalebouts -- Scott's boys, Scott, Grandpa D. and Dick.

Four more generations of Dalebouts -- Matt's boys, Matt, Grandpa D. and Dick.

The wedding luncheon was perfect. The bride and groom were happy. The food was great. Amy's mom made her beautiful dress, as well as the table toppers on the tables. Amy's sisters and her mother and father helped with the centerpieces, which were planted flowers in an eight-inch tree stump. Amy's dad chopped down the tree in Oregon, cut it into 8 inch segments, hollowed it out, then brought it to Utah. Then, the family covered the bottom and put dirt in the different segments and planted flowers. I didn't get a picture of the centerpieces, but they were very nice.

Monday night, we (not Billy and Amy because they were off on their honeymoon) all gathered at our house. Scott D. had made up lyrics to the tune of New York New York, and the grandkids performed for everyone. Here are the lyrics:

Start spreadin the news, They're leaving in May

They're gonna be a part of it, New York, New York

They're leaving their house, their gran children too

They'll help the missionaries share, the gospel news

Ev wants to wake up in the mission that doesn't sleep
Hey Richard come over here . . . . please rub my feet

The mission is cold, and they're getting old

They'll help the boys in ties to grow, The New York fold

The mission staff will know, how often Evie goes,

They're called to serve, New York, New York

Dad's tumor's gone, the doctor's say it was in his head

But now he's back on his feet, he shaved his head, now they can go because the

Tumor's DEAD!

It's finally here, we've waited a year

They're gonna pick up roots and head, in old New York

They're going to serve Him there, they'd servie Him, Anywhere

Mis sion ar ies, New York, New York

Off to the cabin near Park City, where we got royally snowed in. We had plenty of food and great company. The kids were awesome and played almost nonstop the whole time. The parents had some good talks in the evening when the kids were in bed. It was a great time!

Above: Rock band crew.

Below: Amy shoots pool.

Ali and Grandma play fusboll (spelling?).

Ryan was a good sport taking those little kids hot tubbing in the snow.

Elle and Milly decide to make snow angels for a few seconds but are ready to jump back in the hot tub.

The kids playing in the huge pile of snow that fell off the roof.

Grandma and Grandpa pose for the picture with the grandkids. Aren't they the greatest!

The older kids in the hot tub.

Jenny with some of the kids.

After we all got out of the cabin, we headed home. Fortunately, Scott D. had rented a four-wheel car, which transported us and all our supplies down to the other cars that were parked about a half mile away.

Here is a cute picture of Owen, who continually stole our hearts during this whole week. What a wonderful week it was. Now, on to getting ready for our mission. We go in the MTC on May 10th. Whew! It's a whirlwind.