HYATT HOUSE

Wednesday, Sept. 20 2017

We had class again this morning at the Hyatt, and then at 3:15 were dismissed so that we could get ready to go to the SLC Temple for a live session.  We rode with the Lovell's.  It was so neat to go back to the temple where we were married 39 years ago.  We really enjoyed it a lot! 

Thursday we took the front runner down to Provo and Austin picked us up.  They made us an amazing steak dinner!  Potatoes, salad, and a yummy chocolate cake for dessert!  We spent the night there.  Kevin left early in the morning and went back to the Hotel.  Austin had class.  Tori and I got up and visited and then they took me to the front runner station to take the train.  We were able to go to Big Lots on the way and also get a bite to eat.  Then I filled his tank with gas.  I barely made the train.  I took it to Draper and Becky picked me up.  We drove to Courtney's work "The Salt Palace" and she got us passes to go to Comic Con.  We walked around and had some good laughs!  We then called Kevin and he met us for lunch at this sandwich shop.  It was really good.  Then us girls went shopping just for a bit.  It was so fun.  Then they dropped me off at my hotel and they went home.  It was hard to say goodbye.

 The Salt Palace

 IRON MAN

 These are the Comic Con Crazies!!

Saturday Kevin and I got up at went for a short hike to Ensign Peak.  We walked through the SL Capitol where they were having an Alhemizers Walk.  We walked the 1/2 mile up the hill to see the Peak.  It was a good view from the top of SLC!

We went to Desert Book and found this cool picture of the original 6 temples.  

I just had to take a picture of it!

Then we went to the Joseph Smith Building and toured the chapel.  This organ has black keys instead of white and white keys instead of black.  So cool!

We hit the hot tub at the hotel and it was super nice!

Sunday we went to the 9:00 am church in the Joseph Smith Bldg.  There were 2 amazing talks!  Then Erikka Collins met me out front with her dog Bubba.  Kevin said hi and he walked home.  Erikka and I drove up the mountain and found SNOW!  We went to Little Mountain and then Big Mountain.  Lots of Pioneer History there.

 Kathy & Erikka

BUBBA

THE SPOKEN WORD

Sept. 18, 2017

Yesterday on Sunday, we got up and went to The Spoken Word in the tabernacle.  It was really great.  I love hearing the orchestra.  They played a spiritual, "Peace Like a River",  some Sound of Music, and another favorite, All Creatures of our God and King.

We then walked to a church in SLC Ward, kinda far.  After Sac. Mtg. we walked home.  I brought my flip flops so it wasn't painful coming home!  We relaxed most of the day.  We had bought TV dinners for dinner.

Today was our first class here at the Hyatt House in the conference room.  Kevin sat us right up front!  We got out the computer and they proceeded to tell us gobs of information!  Elder Clayton from the 70 came and talked to us.  He is a Dr. and he is new at this job (taking over for Elder Schwitzer).  We had quite a few different speakers and learned some stuff on the computer.  E med is a great one!

Anyway, we had a catered lunch and then back to work.  As soon as class was over, Kevin and I ran to the train station and bought a ticket and hopped on and rode to my sister Paula's station.  They picked us up and took us to her house for dinner.  She wanted to make a Thanksgiving Dinner for us. It was FANTASTIC!!!  She is a wonderful hostess and we had a good visit.

Just look at that table!  TO DIE FOR!

Kevin, Kathy, Paula, Ford, Alison's Brother Nathanial, Alison, Carter, and Bret is taking the picture!

It was a nice visit!!!

Salt Lake City - Here we come!!!

Friday - GRADUATION DAY!  (Day 5 & 6)

Salt Lake City - Here We Come!

Well, they don't call it that.  But it is our last day here in the Provo MTC.  We met as a district again and we learned more in the Preach My Gospel.  We had to teach a (stranger) a 20 min. lesson.  We had an older sister who's husband passed away 2 yrs. ago.  We shared with her an "Endure to the End" lesson.  She serves a lot, Relief Society, at home (her daughter lives with her), she is an ordinance worker in the temple and she volunteers at the MTC.  She was really nice. Then we met as a group and got this group picture.  Our teacher is on the left.  Bro. Zufelt.  He has been home from his mission for 2 yrs.  Next to him are the Donnellys from Snowflake/Taylor, us, the Sheffields from San Jose, California, and the Errington's from Thousand Oaks, CA.  That was our group.

I had to get a picture of us by these bikers!

In the afternoon, we met as a huge group and watched a little skit with Bro. and Sis. Happy.  It was cute.  Then we had to impromptu give a short lesson to a couple strangers in the room. That was awkward.  Then we watched a short video and had to think of a friend/family member who needs to get closer to Jesus Christ.  Then we had to bear our testimony to them (on paper).  We were challenged to share it with them.  This is the first time I really felt the spirit here and was brought to tears.  Almost uncontrollably.   

At 4:45, I met Becky outside and she picked me up and we went out to Bill Olsens (my uncle) to see him.  He is on death's door with Prostate Cancer.  We visited for a small bit as he can barely talk.

Uncle Bill Olsen

Becky told me that my Uncle Jim and his wife Shelley put in their mission papers and are going to work at the MTC!  So exciting!  As soon as they told everyone that they were retiring, he pulled his razor out of a bag and proceeded to shave his mustache.  He said he has not shaved for over 40 years!  So exciting!  They already met with the MTC President Martino.  Pres. Martino's daughter Tiffany married Daniel Rosenbaum.  Small world.

 After that we just drove to Lowes and picked Kevin up (he walked all the way from the MTC). It is by my Mom & Dad's house!  Then to Deseret Book and Becky & I just talked.  Then we went to Olive Garden and visited while Becky's family came to Olive Garden to celebrate Hadley's birthday.  She is 17 today!

Courtney and Hubby Mike

Dave - being Dave!

Cute Hadley!!!

We got home around 8:40 and I started packing.  My suitcases are on the verge of being overweight!  I cannot fit ONE MORE THING!!!

I slept pretty good last night!  YAY!!!

This morning Kevin got up and did 2 loads of laundry (his shirts, etc.)

I finished packing and just watched Netflix.

We went down to the Travel office at 9:30 to get on the shuttle for SLC.

We got here to the Hyatt House and they had our room ready!  YAY!!!  We changed and walked to downtown and had a sandwich for lunch.  It was yummy sourdough bread - veggie!

Then we walked to Temple Square and to the Legacy Bldg.  We watched a movie "Harmony".  Then we walked to Harmons and got some groceries.  While walking around downtown, we saw these cool "donation" machines for the homeless.  We thought they were pretty clever!!!

MTC

DAY 2 - (Sept. 12)

Just look at these two cute kids!  Off to conquer new places!!!  Well, old places. . . that we've been to before. . .

Today we had group pictures taken.  We had to do it in 4 groups!  There are 125 of us!

We had class in the morning and in the afternoon we were able to take a field trip!  We toured the new MTC.  There are 6 floors and a big huge canvas piece of art on each wall.  One of Moses, one of Joseph Smith, Alma, etc.  They are lit from behind and really fantastic.

We ran into Chris Heywood!  He is leaving on Monday for the Checz Republic. I had to snap some pictures for Jill.  We actually ran into him the VERY FIRST DAY and I also snapped photos for Jill.  We all love to get pics. from our missionaries!

DAY THREE at the MTC - Sept. 13

Well, I woke up with a terrible caffeine headache (withdrawal)!  I'm just an idiot!!!  Anyway, Kevin is a good hubby (sometimes) and he called Austin and Tori and had them make a coke run for me!  Oh, was I happy when we met them at lunch in the parking lot across the street!  Talk about a fix!  They also brought 4 GIANT cookies!  AND...some Mt. Dew for Kevin.  But he's not addicted - NO!

We also had to do the cliche photo in front of the big map of the world showing where we came from and where we are going!

After our meetings/classes were over, we came back to our room and changed.  I had about 30 min. to get to Tori's work (University & 3rd No.) before she closed.  Kevin was meeting Austin at 5:55 to go to Rock Canyon with him to climb with the YM.  I ran 2.5 miles to Tori's and got there at 6:01.  She waited for me and I watched her in action as she scooped raw cookie dough up for customers!  What a fun place to work!  Dulce Cookie Dough cafe.  She walked her bike home as I walked beside her.  We hung out at their apt. for about 30 min. and then she had to go to YW.  I walked home.  As I was walking home, some guy honked his horn and pulled over beside me.  It was Dave Cheney!  So fun to see an Arizonan here in Utah.  He said 4 of his girls are here in Utah!  I couldn't believe it!  He said he was working and had just gone to New Skin.  Anyway, so fun.  I walked the rest of the way home. Kevin arrived 5 min. later.

Tori - hard at work!

Oh George!!!

DAY 4 at the MTC (Sept. 14)

"To knot, or not to knot"

These questions are important!

Don't know why I care about my clothes so much.  Weird.  This morning we had APP training.  It is fun to learn about the LDS Media Library and how to highlight, tag, etc.  We had some new teaching experiences.  

Tonight we met the Lunds at the Provo Temple.  They will be renting our house.  They are super nice people! 

I called Michelle to meet me at 4:45.  She came with all the kids.  (except Chelsea who is married).  We drove to Dairy Queen.  They all got treats.  

Taylor thinks he has strep throat.  Hailie was driving.  Macy was happy to show me her kitten.  Taylor stayed home wrapped up in his robe.  Macy, Michelle and I drove to Mom & Dad's old house.  We decided to knock and ask if we could go in.  Ashlee was so nice and let us have a tour!  It was emotional!  Macy wrote in marker under the cubby since she had never been able to do that!  Then to Duff Mitchells house and visited.  He is NOT well.  So many things wrong with him.  Cathi was at some relative's funeral.  So we missed her.

Michelle dropped me off and I am in bed.