One week of training done...

Last week Marcia and I finished our training on Friday. It was a great experience. We had the opportunity to be with 83 other couples who are off to various destinations and assignments around the world.

(From R-L) Elder/Sister French; Elder/Sister Haws; Elder/Sister Shurtleff; Elder/Sister Paulsen

There are more people in the picture that should be named but at this point I am not doing so. The ones that I named were in our "district" and we were with them the entire week as we studied and practiced about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Each couple comes from a different background and location and each assignment that they will serve is different.

Elder and Sister Haws are originally from Oregon. He owned a company that made athletic clothing for Nike and sold it prior to moving to Utah to be closer to grandkids and children. Sister Haws is awesome and taught the youth for the church. Their assignment is to work with the single adults in the San Diego, California area. They will be awesome!

Next is Elder and Sister Shurtleff. He is a retired Air Force dentist from North Carolina. He had also served his younger mission in Japan. He and his wife were called to work with LDS service people on an island in Japan. Sister Shurtleff was quickly learning Japan and they will be fantastic in their role.

Next is Elder and Sister Paulsen. They are going to Japan as well serving in the Nagoia mission as the office couple. Both have been studying Japanese and will be a terrific asset to that mission president and all the missionaries in that area.

Marcia and I are in Salt Lake City this week with a number of other medical people for further training. We will be here through the week and will leave next Monday for South Africa. All the couples that we are with will be serving overseas in some medical capacity. From our group missionaries will be traveling to Germany, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, South Africa, and the Philippines. 

More to come....