Did You Go On a Mission?

For all of you who have wondered . . . . . Did you really go to the MTC? Here's the proof!






The Graduating Senior Class of the MTC September 2008!!

The famous missionary pose with our new best friends....Elder and Sister Dean Hughes!!

See how brave I am getting typhoid and hepatitis shots!!!

We were called the week before we went into the MTC and asked if we would mind staying in our home at night, they had such a large group of missionaries there was "no room in the inn." I must say at first I was quite pleased, I didn't need to pack for the MTC and I could sleep in my own bed. But after 12 hours at the MTC and the commute it made for a very long day. It has been an amazing, exhausting and emotional week. To be with these incredible missionaries, senior and junior and to be taught by young returned missionaries has truly been a privilege. I have a new appreciation for "Preach My Gospel". We had the opportunity to prepare and teach lessons from it for four days. I know I shed tears every day the first week. Mike would just look at me and say, "Now what?" We had senior missionaries in our group called to Australia, Iceland, India, Korea and everywhere in between. We even met the couple called to serve in Austin, Texas. ( We felt just fine although Mike did try to work a trade with them!) We learned a few important coping phrases from our tutor: Kde je zachod? ( Where is the bathroom?) Mame otazku? (I have a questions) etc. and she said to use only in an emergency.....Mluvite anglicky? ( Do you speak English?) I think there will be many emergencies! We ate lunch with temple square sisters from Brazil who had only been here 4 week, their English was amazing and Elders who were eating cereal for dinner. When asked why they weren't having the dinner, they replied, "Oh this is just the appetizer, we're waiting for the lines to get shorter!" They are right some of those lines are very long right as the rush of missionaries enter the cafeteria. We saw Elder Russ Irion and Elder Jeff Augustin and had to sneak in a hug from their Mothers. This week we have done more teaching from CES materials and tomorrow is our last day. We feel ready to get going but know these last goodbyes will be hard. We know we're in for a real adventure and are grateful for the privilege to serve. We leave for Prague October 6th.

One more week!?

This has been a busy week, with many last things to accomplish and decide. We have been looking for a scripture to go with our placque that will be displayed at church and were considering many different references, ( the scriptures certainly have a lot of good things in them":) and Dad found the the one that was written just for us....



"... I will bless you and your family, yea your little ones: and the day cometh that they will believe and know the truth and be one with you in my church.
Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come: and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."
Doctrine and Covenants 31: 2 - 3

We had a family photo taken last week with all the new members of our family. This one with all thirteen little people was a riot to be part of! It is because of them and their parents that it makes it so hard for us to leave, but on the other hand it's because of them that we need to serve this mission. So I want them to know why I feel so strongly about this mission and my testimony of the gospel.

To my Grandchildren: Taylor, Finn, Jeffrey, Michael, Annie, Easton, Katie, Jacob, Emma, Suzie, Brett, Will, Ashley and more to come:
What I want you to Know:

You are a beloved child of God. Your parents and your grandparents anxiously awaited your arrival and joyously welcomed you into our family. This is an eternal family and you will always have us to love, support and pray for you.

The only way you will truly be happy is to be obedient to Heavenly Father. He loves you so much he was willing to give his son, Jesus Christ to show the way then to die for us so we could return to live with Him. There will be challenges and trials and difficult things that will come into your life but He will always surround you with those to help you through.

Joseph Smith is the prophet who restored the Church of Jesus Christ. He translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I love that book and hope you will read it and come to love it too.

We have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson here upon the earth. He is here to help you. As you listen and learn from him you will be blessed. As you listen the Holy Ghost will help you know things that are true and things that you should be doing in your life. You are some of Heavenly Father’s chosen spirits and he expects good things from you and so do I.

With all my love,

Grandma Shauna

I did it! (actually Natalie did it)

Well look at me! I'm a blogger! (Natalie, what's a blogger?)

The countdown is on. (Natalie, what's the countdown?) 18 days till we head for the MTC! Yikes! A language to learn, new babies to take care of, the Gospel to teach, life couldn't get any better!

I created this blog to keep in touch with my family and friends while we are in Prague. We'll see how proficient I can become without Natalie by my side.