At last we are here at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, Utah.   We will be here eleven days.  There are 44 couples and 2 older sisters in our training group.  Interestingly, one of the couples - Elder and Sister Meese - are going to the Manchester England Mission, from which our son-in-law David Hancock's parents are returning later this month.  We are sending good wishes to the Hancocks but I'm afraid the Meeses may get there after the Hancocks have started home.

We had a delightful conversation with this missionary couple outside our room this evening.  Their name is Bassett and they are from Wyoming.  This is their fifth mission - and all have been outside the United States.  They served twice in Tegucigalpa, Honduras - then once in Mexico, once in Costa Rica - and now they are going back for a third time to Tegucigalpa.  It has been 27 years since their first mission and this time, one of the little girls they knew and taught back then will be the translator for whichever member of the Presidency of the Church goes to Tegucigalpa to dedicate the new temple there on March 17th.  This is like going home for them, because they know so many people and have developed such strong bonds of love over the years.  But here's the real eye opener:  they are 80 years old!  Isn't that amazing?  I am so impressed. They are really remarkable and admirable people and I am in awe of their dedication and selflessness.