More MTC Awesomeness

After being set apart, with Elder Maynes and Elder Cook, the kids and the parents.

Most of the mission presidents were set apart before entering the MTC but we, as always, were troublemakers.  Ken's parents were released from their mission on the 19th but Rebecca was already on her way to YW Camp where she would be until after we entered the MTC. 

Fortunately for us, Elder Cook and Elder Maynes were available to set us apart between sessions so our parents and children could be there.  We had our initial "exploratory" interview with Elder Cook back in September so we were excited to see him again.  Elder Maynes is in the presidency of the Seventy and is responsible for our mission area. 

And speaking of general authorities, it was a very neat experience to be able to listen to these men.  It was like a three day general conference--a really specific mission oriented general conference.  But then when we were in our break-out sessions (classes) you might have a comment by Elder Scott or Elder Holland.  And they were all so NICE.  Especially Elder Holland.  He had commented on the influence his mission president had had on him.  After class I told him I had never had a mission president but he had been very influential as my BYU president.  He said I could claim him as a mission president.

The MTC doesn't have enough space for all 110 couples at a time so we were bunking at the Marriott.  The church had arranged for breakfast at the Marriott in the conierge lounge so off we trotted to breakfast.  I had never really thought about where the general authorities were staying until we walked into breakfast and nearly tripped over President Uchtdorf.  Being big giant chickens we kind of hid in a corner and tried not to make fools of ourselves.  One morning Elder and Sister Edwards were there and we were so relieved to know someone to sit by.  Hooray for the Edwards family is one of our mottos. 

Turns out chickenhood is hereditary.  When the kids and parents came up for the setting apart, they were too chicken to say hi to Elder Oaks when they went to breakfast.

I did introduce myself to President Bruce Lindsay of KSL news fame.  The Lindsays are off to Australia where my dad served so we talked kangaroos.  He was so nice.  Everyone was so NICE.  Someday I will give a great discourse on niceness and how it is part of the gospel and everyone we met was so wonderful.  So be nice to each other--it's a great way to live.

Of all the wonderful MTC experiences, the one I looked forward to the most was this picture.  Now I have my mission map picture.  Now I am officially a missionary.

The MTC is Awesome

The MTC is awesome.  But even more awesome are the people we have met.  We are here with 109 other couples headed out to preside over missions.  Everyone is stunningly amazing and so very, very nice.  But even more awesome than that is being in the MTC with relatives!  So here we are at the map with cousin Lori and Aunt Sara (ok actually Lori and Sara are the cousins so I am once removed from Lori but, hey, I like cousins).  Lori and Wes are headed to Guadalajara and Sara and Jerry to Chicago. (Also awesome was President Monson as the sacrament meeting speaker, but that is a whole 'nother post.)

Tagged

Whooping it Up--McConkie Style

Since receiving our call to California, Katie had to decide when to start BYU.  She opted for summer which enabled us to get her settled and see her dorm room.  Also carry her boxes.

Before abandoning Katie to the wilds of Provo, we had a McFamily party with the aunts, uncles and cousins.  I wanted Katie to see she has a billion relatives locally that would be happy to look out for her.  So we partied. Never let it be said that McConkie's don't know how to party. (Well, they don't, really, but they're all bigger than I am so don't say it)

And by partied, I mean we ate--always food-- and then my parents reported on their mission to Portugal. Yes, when my family parties it is actually a fireside complete with scriptures.  But no singing--you really don't want to hear some of us sing. Is this the greatest family or what? We may not know how to play Twister but we sure know how to have a truly delightful evening. Plus cake!

My parents served in the Centers for Young Adults in Porto, Portugal teaching the gospel by word and example and trying to get everyone married off.  Yes, they were called to party for 18 months (and if you'll note the family definition of party you will see they had to learn some new skillz--like actually partying.  I wonder if they can play Twister?) So I guess they do know how to party now.

After the wild McParty (I think we stayed up til 9:30!) the next day was freshman orientation.  So Miss Katie headed off to be a grown-up and the rest of us headed off to be kids with miniature golf and ran around campus.  Rebecca is ready to move into the library and Matthew had way too much fun with the moving shelves.  We played around in the science center and had fun blasting each other with the vortex cannon (seriously, we need a vortex cannon in our house). We met back together for the official dorm room move in and dinner and then back to St George--minus Katie.  sniff


Vortex Cannon Fun

Blacklight Mini-Golf

Magical Moving Shelves

Rebecca is ready to move into the HBLL

Bye to Katie

If you stop in Beaver, you sit on the Chair

Goodbye Arizona, we love you!

California Here We Come

The hardest part of leaving Arizona was leaving the people we love.  So here we are in one last Leber/Hall pile on the world's biggest couch. 

The movers came on Friday and took the California stuff and so three weeks of living out of a suitcase commences.  We have had such a bittersweet time getting ready to go.  Last neighborhood dinner, last double-date to Harkins, last book club, last pick up at Mountain Ridge, you get the picture.  Perhaps a better word than bittersweet would be horrible.  Yep, horrible sums it up nicely. 

So why are we doing this? Why are we stressing out our children with new schools and friends? Why a thousand days of ties and skirts?  Nephi put it this way:

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 2 Nephi 25:26

We are off for three years so our children will know that we know Christ lives, that we are willing to do as he asks.  Or as Thomas put it, "sometimes you just have to Go and Do."