The End - The Beginning

We spent the week with this wonderful group of senior missionaries. We got to know some of them very well. All have different assignments and are eager to begin. We learned a lot from them and with them.

Here we are with our Japanese tutor, Sister Norie Palmer. She was so fun and actually taught us a lot in three days!

This is our main teacher, Brother Spencer. He was so sweet and we enjoyed what he taught us. He was very professional and we learned a lot from him and the other teachers. It is hard to believe that the week is over!

The Missionary Training Center is an amazing place. It is run like clockwork but with a lot of love and understanding (at least for senior missionaries). Everyone was so helpful and we loved the experience. Any of you who haven't had the experience will love it!

And by the way, we did bear our testimonies in Japanese. (Of course, we read them, but they were sincere.) Next week - Salt Lake City for more training!

4th Day

Another exhilarating day of training! We are feeling more comfortable in our tasks. We had to pretend to be a couple who were less active. Another couple came to talk to us to find out our concerns. Then we switched roles. It was fun and we are learning how to answer questions and make people feel comfortable with us.
We also had two couples come who have returned from senior missions. The first couple was lively and fun and told us about their three missions. Sounds like they were very effective in helping people return to church after inactivity. They had lots of great ideas. Then we had another couple who had served four missions. They certainly had some wonderful experiences and some very hard ones. Both couples were inspiring and we hope we can be like them.
Tonight for Japanese lessons, we learned some phrases for bearing a testimony. Tomorrow night we actually have to do it - but we can read it. Guess it will be an opportunity to jump right into the fire!
The weather was crazy again today with snow falling and the sun shining and the sky blue - all at the same time!
Time for bed - Sayonara (good bye) or Oysasumi nassai (good night)!

Day 3 - MTC

We just returned home from a long day! It was great though as usual. We are learning so much - including 2 hours of the Japanese language. We have a teacher who is a native Japanese - married to a Canadian who went on a mission to Japan. She is a lot of fun and taught us quite a few words and phrases. Now if we can just remember what she said and how to pronounce them! But every exposure will be good.
We also got two more shots - typhoid and Hepititis A & B - 3rd shot in the series. We also gave a lesson to an "investigator". He was nice and we enjoyed his sweet spirit. Lots of new elders came in today and we felt like seasoned veterans compared to them and we have only been here 3 days! They all look very young and a bit scared. I am sure that they will get used to it all very soon.
Tomorrow is coming quickly so I'll say "konbanwa" (good night)!

Day 2

I know I won't be able to blog every day, but I have a few minutes tonight. We had a wonderful second day at the Missionary Training Center. It is just amazing to be there among all the clean, well dressed young missionaries who are trying to learn so many things including language. They all smile and hold doors open for us oldsters. We must look ancient and helpless. They offer to take our trays from the cafeteria after we have eaten. Our teachers are all young returned missionaries and they do a great job. Chris once taught there for three years. I am impressed at how well they do.
Today we learned how to prepare a lesson plan and overview and actually were able to teach! Volunteers come in from the community to act as investigators and let us teach them. We had an old couple who really played the part well. Of course, they come each week and do this so they knew what they were doing. Dad taught most of it but I was able to add to the discussion also. It is humbling to teach such important things and know that you are getting a lot of help from above.
We had a devotional tonight with Elder L. Tom Perry and his wife. We were sitting in the foyer when they arrived and so we were among the first to know who would be speaking. (They don't announce who is coming.) We got to sit 3 rows down from the pulpit since they save seats for the senior missionaries. A young missionary played "O Divine Redeemer" on the cello and it was so moving. His accompanist was a young sister missionary and she was terrific too.
We saw Pres. Gordon Brown and his wife on the front row and were able to talk to them afterwards. They were mission presidents in Chicago a few years ago. We also saw the Rubows from the Chicago area - going to Latvia! Bob Fisher is a Branch President at the MTC and we thought we might see them but they are going to California tomorrow and so we won't be visiting with them. It is a small world in the Church.
Well, now it is bedtime and our day starts early again tomorrow. This is a wonderful experience for us and we know that we are blessed to be there.

1st Day - Missionary Training Center

Well, this proves it! We are in the MTC and are official missionaries. We were set apart on Sunday evening by our stake president, David P. Harding. Today, Monday, we went through orientation and met others who are senior missionaries. It is really a wonderful experience. We are tired tonight. Tomorrow we will be learning how to present the gospel to others plus there is a devotional in the evening with a General Authority. We have met some wonderful people and are amazed at how organized everything is.
Keep watching this blog for more adventures of Elder and Sister Gibson!

Mini Reunion April 17 & 18, 2010

Here is the booklet that Kim put together for us to take on our mission! It has pictures and letters from each member of our family!! She put hours into getting it ready - it came late but it is wonderful. Thank you to everyone who contributed! Our family - taken Sunday afternoon after our sacrament meeting talks

Mark and Holly relaxing on couch

Kayla, Kellie, Krissy with Harrison and Tevin in the background

Cousins reunited - Heather and Sloanie

Karli and Holden in the sand

Chandler - after about 2 dozen cinnamon rolls!

Chris and Dad

After our temple session on Saturday

Gayle, Michelle Palmer Stone and Jill - Steve and Eden in background
Enjoying lunch on patio - thanks to all who came!
Dustin, Harrison, Tevin, Dave at potato bar
Natalia, Paige and Emily get some food
I didn't get pictures of everyone who came to support us. We had about 1/3 of the congregation on Sunday for sacrament meeting. We have felt of your love for us.

We also had a talent show (see blog with Mission song) and a wonderful testimony meeting. The food that was brought was delicious and so many helped to make it a wonderful weekend. We are going to miss all of you!

Pictures of Our New Home

Common area and view of Mt. Timp Back yard and mountains and BLUE sky

Looking into den

Hallway in basement

Basement bedroom

Dolls in sewing room

Dad's chair in den

Den

Basement hall and kitchen

Playroom

Playroom and wall safe

Basement fireplace, tv

Basement kitchen

Upstairs bedroom

Master Bedroom

Kitchen and family room

Kitchen

Family room and dining area

View of dividing wall

Family room

Entry and front room - piano

Living room

Front view - 530 N. 80 W. Lindon, UT 84042

Entry and front
Basement entrance and side yard

Back yard patio

Side yard

THE GIBSON MISSION SONG

(To the tune of "I Hope They Call Me On A Mission")

He hoped they'd call him on a mission,

When he had aged a year or two (or three or four).

He hoped to somehow spread the gospel,

Without having to knock on every freaking door.

He knew he'd like his new companion,

A girl he's loved for all his life.

Instead of switching each new transfer,

He'd get to share this time with his amazing wife.

They'd have to leave their new surroundings,

They'd have some ailments due to age.

But most of all they'd miss their grandkids,

And maybe even Chris, Mark, Jill, Kim, Lynn and Paige.

The letter took its time in coming,

For several weeks they had to wait.

They wondered what could the delay be.

It didn't have to go through any other state.

The day the call came was exciting,

It answered where they'd get to go,

Of all the beautiful locations,

The Lord called them to serve in distant Tokyo.

Their mission had a special purpose,

They'd give their talents, time, and wealth;

To serve the Elders and the Sisters,

In many more ways than just with their mental health.

For 18 months they'll serve their Father,

While we at home will do our best;

To serve and follow their examples.

We'll pray for them each day so their mission will be blessed.

And when the 18 months is over,

With outstretched arms we'll meet them then;

Just like our Father will in Heaven.

We love you and we'll miss you 'til we meet again.

Words by Mark Tanner Gibson

Sung by Mark, Kellie, Holly, Kayla Gibson

This song was sung at the Gibson Family Talent show on April 17, 2010 as we held our mini reunion. They also sang it at the gathering after sacrament meeting on Sunday April 18 for our families and friends. Thank you!

Gibson Family Pictures April 18, 2010

Here we are - ready to leave for a mission to the Asia North Area in Toyko, Japan!! These pictures were taken after our talks in sacrament meeting.

Lynn and Dustin's family with Grandpa and Grandma - Samantha, Dustin, Karyssa, Barbara, Rulon, Lynn, Braydon, Ty

Kim, Eden, me, Ella, Rulon, Emily, Steve

Dave, Me, Rulon, Jill, Mason, Tanna, Scottie

Holly, Kellie, Karli, me, Rulon, Heather, Mark, Kayla

Paige, Natalia, me, Rulon, Dan

Chandler, Krissy, Chris, Sloane, me, Rulon, Tevin, Harrison, Holden

Grandma and Grandpa with all 20 grandchildren!

And the whole group! What a wonderful day. These pictures will help us remember all of you and that special weekend. Love to all!