Were off and RUNNING

t Our Placques at Last

Our wonderful group of senior missionaries

Nice little view a block down from our apartment in Santa Cruz

Our Zone, How about our ZL ELder Chessman 6'11"

This is our first blog on the Mish, (as our kids would say). The last two weeks have been absolutely terrific. Tanya and I were sooooo surprized by our fabulous four. We were eating the traditional , get all the Elmers you can together dinner in Lehi, when we heard a familiar voice behind us ask if he was included in the party. I whipped around to see David right behind me and to our absolute unbelief Kristin, Karen and Brad as well. We were both blown away. Needless to say we cried, laughed and talked together for two days. Tanya and I have never felt so loved and supported by our family. That goes for our extended family as well. We are grateful

for all our freinds and family who have aided us in this effort.

The MTC was a blessed experience we rubbed shoulders with some of the finest people on earth.

These senior couples come from all over to serve the Lord in the fall of there lives. Some of these wonderful people are serving their fourth mission as a couple. They are unbelievable. The training was first class and the place runs like a clock. We were so grateful to be there and to watch the young elders and sisters (almost 3,000 of them) was inspiring. We saw Elder Derrick Asay and Elder Taylor Swan in the MTC as well as Ammon Andelin and Christian Pratt. Matt's great uncle, grandpa Walkers brother and his wife, were also there working in the MTC.

We had the opportunity of hearing from Elder M Russel Ballard at the devotional. The whole experience was beyond words.

Then it was over and we were off to San Jose. We drove across Nevada and arrived on Saturday the 21st. Sunday was Stake Conference, broadcast from Salt Lake. We rushed to get here in time to hear the council for this area from the brethren.

We spent the night in the mission home with Pres Jackson and his wife. They are terrific, about our age and they were so glad to see us we talked for hours about life, family and the mission.

He gave us our assignment and kicked us out the door monday morning. We drove over the mountains to our new apartment and first area. Santa Cruz. We are actually in the Capitola ward. We have been running like crazy since. We have met with the Bishop, the Relief Society Pres. the HP Grp Ldr and about 10 families. (Mostly Less active and Elderly)

The area is like a vacation spot, tons of retired folks and the ward has alot of elderly. We have many, many less active families. Lots of part member and some unbaptized youth. We will work with the ward council to sort it all out on Sunday.

We have our first investigator and teach our first lesson next week.

Love you all

In Utah Preparing for the MTC

Well, here we are in Utah. We got in last night about 6. We checked in at the hotel, changed into our dress and suit, then met Joe, Steph, Annie, Judy, Aaron, and Teana for dinner at the Bombay House. It was fun! I have to admit when they started talking about EFR, I was contemplating how to address getting a 3 day pass from Pres. Jackson in July. In case, it doesn't work, remember the keyword is PICTURES LOTS OF PICTURES! The place looks great, and will be enjoyed by all, I'm sure.
Our first day in Utah began with a 1 1/2 mile walk in the cold (of coarse; we didn't pack to much for this kind of weather). While we were walking, we were watching so as not to slip on ice and spend our MTC week in the hospital, and commenting about the great blessing of serving in San Jose with no ice. We then enjoyed a nutritious breakfast, minus the Diet Coke. Yes, the mission will be full of little adjustments, but we can do it. I also started my journal(4 pages). Not a great writer, but it felt good.
The rest of the day was spent dragging Jerry around trying to find clothes that make me look like a missionary. He was a great support, and we were somewhat successful. He was particularly thrilled when I bought a coat (which means no more blue sweater coat with the swans on the inside). We hit the Distribution Center, Deseret Book for a few more CD's, Franklin Covey where he bought me a cool backpack to carry my books (not quite as big as Aunt Cheryl's book bag), and we dropped off his first tie fatality (Indian food) to the dry cleaners.
We then came back to the hotel , and I took off my hose and shoes, Jer took off his shoes and loosened his tie, and got comfortable. I sure hope the Lord blesses us with a little more stamina, because I'm beat and we haven't even started yet.
I think we'll break for dinner, and then study. Hopefully tommorrows errands won't take long, and we can maybe go visit a few people.
Anyway, that's it for my first blog entry. We are grateful to be here, and look forward to our MTC experience together. We love each of you very much, and are grateful for your support.

Do you know the way to San Jose

Its hard to believe it is here. After much prayer and preparation (Almost 40 yrs) we are just about ready to go! We received our "CALL TO SERVE" on December 27. The big white envelop arrived and we waited with great anticipation for our family to gather. The Lord has called us to the San Jose Mission. We are both soo00 excited to go. There is some anxiety OK alot of anxiety about our inabilities and the unknown but at last we are about to leave for the MTC. We will spend a week there and then off to California.With the help of our sweet daughter in law (Thanks Toni) we have set up this blog to keep everyone informed and to share some of what we experience.God has been good to us to allow us this time and we promise to work hard and to be obedient.Getting ready to go has been a bit of a challenge just getting all the doctor stuff done was a major hassle. I had to get my knee fixed (surgery) and both Tanya and I got new orthodics, Yip Pee. Getting older is a pain. I didn't even know what orthodics were until I was 50. Eye glasses etc., all the fix em up stuff you have to do to your self has been real fun.I've been thinking that the young people who go out really have no idea of this part of the program. They for the most part breeze through this and are off. But us older or should I say "senior couples" well its kind of a get everything fixed so you can go deal. Its all for the best, they don't want us to break down on the mission.Well enough, with the Lords blessings and our faith in Him we are set and ready to serve. We so love and appreciate the support of our family both immediate and extended. Thank you all for your examples, your love and help getting ready.Elder Jerry and Sister Tanya Elmer(Sounds pretty cool)