New friends, Forever Friends

This is Brother Staheli, Our afternoon instructor. As far as we know, we don't know his Grandpa or his dad.

This is who we sat by and met for the first time tonight. they are the Omers. They found out we were from Boise and asked if we knew President Bartlett of the Boise Mission. We told them as a matter of fact President Bartlett was good friends with Mom's brother David Pincock. Elder Omer said he was second counselor in the stake presidency for five years when David was first counselor. The Omers moved to Utah and President Bartlett, who was on the high council, became the new second counselor. We asked Omers where they where staying.they ar in S309. We are in S307, next door down the hall.

This is Elder and Sister Boyer. Our newest life long friends. We can't even begin to tell you the spiritual experiences we have had with them, and the deep personal connection we have with them. We will love them forever. They are from SLC (Holiday) and are leaving for Manchester, England n Monday. They will be gone for 18 months.

Murals at the MTC

We had free time Thursday night and walked over to the new classroom building to see all the murals. These are Alma the Younger praying and the sons of Mosiah on their mission to the Lamanites. There are twelve life-size murals all together. They are all really awesome. We have had beautiful weather all week (like late spring). We had to walk across campus from our apartment to see the murals. It was snowing as we walked back to the apartment.

Our Mission

Dear Children and Grandchildren,

We are having a great time at the Mission Training Center!  There are many beautiful paintings of the Savior and gospel scenes on the walls.  And there are pictures of missionaries serving in different places all over the world. One is of two people in a baptismal font chipped out of about 18 inches of ice.

We are having wonderful classes taught by inspired returned missionaries.  They are all so young, but so smart and so very good at teaching the gospel. 

There didn’t seem to be a time before we left you for us to share our testimonies.  We both know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. That is why we are here.  That is why we are going on this mission.  We know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each of you.  He knows your name and what you think about.  He knows what is in your heart.

We are so happy and grateful that our children are each so good and try so hard to live the gospel.  We know you each are facing many challenges, but we know the Lord will help you as long as you stay faithful.  We appreciate our great sons and daughters in law and appreciate the tremendous support they are to our whole family.

There is nothing we want more than for our grandchildren to develop their own testimonies of the Savior and His gospel.  You can only do that by reading the scriptures regularly, praying, and living the principles you learn about as you read.  Living the gospel is the most important thing you can do in this world if you want to be happy.  We love you all! We know the Lord will take care of you and He will take care of us.  We pray for that every day.

Love,

Grandpa and Grandma Owens

Small World

I'm sure all you kids remember Elder (Larry) Echo Hawk who was our home teacher when we lived on Lancaster in Pocatello. We met 15 instructors on Tuesday morning. Each district was assigned to one of them for the week. Our district was assigned to Cameron Echo Hawk. Larry's grandson. Of course when we met him we told him his dad was our home teacher. Then Elder Holbrook asked him (teasing) if he had a brother that played football for BYU. Cameron said his grandpa Larry did. That was when we found out he was the grandson.....It's so fun being old.  Watch for familiar faces in conference next month.

MTC District

Here is our MTC District. The Covingtons on the left. They are serving in their home stake in St. George. Next couple to the right is the Holbrooks. They are assigned to the Ohio-Columbus mission. Third couple to the right, next to us is the Mitchell's. They are going to Uruguay. She will be the mission nurse. The district leader is the one on the far right. ;)

When the Branch President said "Elder and Sister Owens, you're from Boise, right?" as we walked into the room, I knew something was up.

We made it!

Today we made it to the MTC here in Provo Ut.
We will be busy earning all week and then off to Birmingham Alabama on Friday!