Old friends and new friends

Sister French and Elder Kirkeiner

 Another exciting day here at the MTC. Our language skills continue to increase with the help of the Spirit. Our focus for the entire week has been learning Tagalog. During lunch and dinner we have been able to talk with other Senior Missionaries who have a variety of assignments to which they have been called. Each training is a little different as it focuses on what those missionaries will be doing.

At lunch a young Elder recognized us and came up to us as we were looking for a place to sit. That Elder is pictured to the right. Yes, for those who may not recognize him it is Elder Philip Kerkeiner from the Fisher's 2nd Ward. Marcia wanted to hug him but rules are rules- I, on the other hand, did get a hug!

Sister French with Hermanas Chavez(l) and May

 A common thing to see around the MTC campus is missionaries testifying to other missionaries in the language that they are learning. Today our primary tutor, Brian Buchner, challenged us to go out and bare our testimony to two sets of missionaries. The first set that we encountered were Hermana Chavez and Hermana May. They listened intently as Marcia bore her testimony to them in Tagalog and they were very patient as I stammered through mine. These Hermanas will be going to Ecuador in a few weeks.

Elder Mock (l), Elder Goodwin (c), and Brother Beck (r) with Sister French

 The next set of Elders we found sitting on a bench and were eager to listen to us as we shared our testimony with them. Elder Mock and Elder Goodwin will be leaving in a few weeks to go to Bulgaria. They are sitting with one of their tutors, Brother Beck.

Meanwhile at the cafeteria more people that we knew came up to us and said hi. One such person was Lindsey (Baer) Miller. Those who have been in the Fishers area more than 12 years ago would recognize the name as
she is the daughter of Neal and Cindy Baer who were in our ward when we moved into Fishers 14 years ago. Another person that we saw was Sister Bushman. She is probably not familiar to most who read this blog. Marcia and I met her at our daughter's wedding in May. She was in Bri and Kasi's ward and is now finishing her time in the MTC leaving for the Philippines on Monday. I am sure that we will see her again after we get to the Philippines.

The time is flying as we study Tagalog. The Spirit continues to lighten our minds as we study our language. Marcia and I are having fun and will continue to share our experience with you....  

jsf

Sister French with Lindsey (Baer) Miller