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