Hi Again,
Here are more pics of the start of our mission. They show us being dropped off at the MTC in Provo and the obligatory finger pointing at where we are going, the English Manchester Mission. The group picture is our class at the MTC and next is our arrival at the Manchester Mission home with Pres. and Sister Jacobsen. We went shopping today in downtown Lancaster and we took this picture of one of the main streets. The town center is ancient with a castle that is now used as a prison. Bashful Alley, shown in the picture, is one of many alleys off the main market street. More to follow.

We made it! Here are some pictures of our flat, the village church, our car and the coast line with a ruin in the background. We live in the first floor apartment over barbi's shoulder. The church is suposedly the oldest church in England still in use. It dates back to the Vikings. The ruins are an even older church called St. Patricks that no one knows much about. They are both about 100 yards from each other. The car is shown in the back of our flat where we have a parking space. I will post more if I figure how to do it.

Pre-Mission Activities

Barbara and I were totally surprised when we thought we were going to dinner with Lea and the Sisters Minter and Perdue and, instead, about thirty friends were waiting for us to say goodbye and wish us well. How cool was that! I will post pictures when we get some from Lea. How great it is to have wonderful friends who support us.

A week ago we met with the High Council and told them our feelings about our mission and bore our testimony. They also wished us well and gave us a journal to use. The week before that we spoke in Sacrament meeting, so we are ready to move on to the MTC and the real world of missionary work. We will be set apart this Thursday by the President Barlow. All of our kids and grandkid here in Simi Valley will be there with us. We are grateful for their love and support as well.

It's Official!

Here it is... the very first post to the mission blog. We fly into Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 3rd and Shaun & Kristy will be dropping us off at the MTC in Provo on Monday, March 5th. We're hoping to keep you updated when we can. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages of support and love. See you in 18 months!