USLCHQM ORIENTATION WEEK LOG

FRIDAY February 27^th

This was a lllloonnggggg week! Thursday we learned we should be moved out of our room in the Mission Training Center (MTC) by 8 a.m. Friday. However, classes were scheduled until 3 p.m. We packed all but a single change and loaded the car Thursday evening.

We asked, and were told to do only the morning class list, eat lunch one last time there, and keep appointments and schedules at Mission Headquarters.

We arrived in Salt Lake for a brief introductory interview appointment with the Mission Presidency at 2:40 pm in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB). A group of approximately 20 other new senior missionaries met together for a first orientation and introductions before meeting assigned ministering missionaries. Most of our classes and training happen there.

I sneezed violently, a lot, in the main classroom so was delighted to walk the block to the cafeteria and another to a different class, and here, there, and elsewhere for the rest of the day. We will seldom need to use our car.

Ironically, our ministering couple are Elder and Sister Long - seriously, no kidding! And we don’t know how we would have managed without their kindness.

They provided directions to the Eaglegate Apartments (where 9 or 10 other apartments have missionaries but the majority are not missionaries), and walked the block or so to wait very patiently while we located our car in the massive conference center underground parking and drove around the required 5 or 6 blocks to get to our parking garage entrance.

The apartment is along a street with limited access each way, and of course on the same corner as the famed Eagle Gate.

During orientation we were given all the housing, parking, and security information and equipment, met the Long’s, and then moved into our mostly furnished 2-bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 3^rd floor. 

The Longs and Elder Campbell, (another missionary who happened past the parking place) help unloaded our stuffed car onto luggage carts, and drag everything up to a room in the apartment.

It has a wonderful view of all the construction and renovations across the street on Temple Square.

We took a short nap until a ministering Sister missionary brought over a bag of toffees and chocolates, and a package of toilet paper – all proved to be essential! We didn’t know where anything was and were too tired to really care!

Later we walked a block to City Creek Mall (across from Temple Square), to eat a yummy bowl of chicken noodle soup at Kneaders Bakery and Café, before we crashed for the night.

SATURDAY February 28^th

Our mattress seemed a bit soft, and we requested a firmer one. It is no fun to wake up stiff and sore from sleeping!

We drove to Bountiful and stuffed our car with things from our trailer that were stored at a son’s home. These included some pre-frozen meals we had prepared in advance, and transported in a cooler. And I almost stopped sneezing!

We managed to unload the car without bothering other missionaries, and attempted to begin to organize basics. Saturday’s will be our Preparation Day (P-day) – a day to chill and take care of errands, shopping, and personal needs.

SUNDAY March 1^st

We were not assigned to a congregation yet (a Ward unit to attend) so drove to Bountiful and attended a Fast and Testimony meeting with our son Benjamin and his family. What a delight.

All the missionaries in Eaglegate and Brigham Apartments had a ‘Complete the Fast’ meal together to break the monthly fast in the social room here at Eaglegate social room. It was nice to not eat a frozen meal again. We haven’t really had time to go shopping yet, but we do get a good lunch (with ‘to go’ leftovers) from the cafeteria at the Church Office Building.

MONDAY March 2^nd

Pictures! Group pictures – big groups and small! More pictures, and still more pictures. I do not remember ever before having so many photos taken for so many purposes! We hardly recognized ourselves in the photos - we look so tired! And old!

We walked to classes, and lunch at the cafeteria, by following our herd of new missionaries, but afterwards later in the day couldn’t find our way home again. We were in an underground maze and eventually a security officer walked us home through the dark, rainy night. There ARE places we are not allowed to access in these mazes. What a grand adventure!

We were glad for security’s presence when he needed to report the homeless person pounding on doors and windows along the street.

TUESDAY March 3^rd

We walked to the JSMB across campus and by staying outside managed to circumnavigate as needed without getting lost too much or too many times. And we even found the cafeteria again. The food is decent and very inexpensive for missionaries. And yes, that classroom started me sneezing again!

Many essentials are still packed, here and at our son’s home, and some seem to be lost! Where is the cord to Elder Ames electric razor? Shrug! Or his computer? We had to go shopping and buy those so he didn’t show up 2 days in a row with a longer stubble growth. That was about all we got done that evening.

WEDNESDAY March 4^th

One of the things we do most, other than sit at a computer, is walk. We try to do it outside whenever possible and are grateful for mild sweater weather.

And we sometimes walk a bit more because we forget things. Apparently we must have a phone at all times to receive ‘push notifications’ that allow us access to places we don’t even know we need to get to. Elder Ames forgot his phone and had to walk home, and back to class. There are many types of security in many places and we have many ways to accomplish access.

THURSDAY March 5^th

SNOW! Swirling and whirling and wet and cold! Guess what? We walked a lot in that mess. But at least we knew where to walk to!

We met with Elder and Sister Brown, counselors in the mission presidency, and have been assigned to the Family History Projects Zone. We will begin there in the morning. They introduced us to our Zone leaders Elder and Sister Hope - again, a bit ironic.

The Hope’s showed us new ways to walk through the maze and get lost! But at least it was inside and not out in the blizzarding rain!

And yeesss – we did get some new directions from another security officer. We did not, however, require an escort this time.

FRIDAY March 6^th

What a day! We spent the morning becoming oriented to our Zone! What do we do? We may figure that out by next week!

We also were assigned where and when to attend church.

At lunch time we asked what time to return. “Oh,” Elder Hope explained, “Friday afternoons are this Zone’s temple day – we want all missionaries to attend a temple each week.”  

Hooray! We have so missed being able to worship in a temple since leaving home. So we drove to Bountiful, the nearest temple, and really relaxed – eventually – because we almost got lost again! Except for assistance from some very kind temple workers, we would have been too late.

I was waiting for Elder Ames standing near the elevator and he was waiting for me seated nearby just out of sight! Sigh! But we had a very nice evening, and then stopped by our son’s for another carload of stuff! We do that each time we go to Bountiful.

SATURDAY March 7^th

Cleaning, and cleaning, and cleaning a bit more. How many places can an apartment hide smudges, dust, or downright dirt? Too many to clean carefully all in one day. And that was after I had dabbled at cleaning every week night!

SUNDAY March 8^th

Finally, a day of rest - and the first week is complete! 

We skipped a morning devotional in favor of a lllloonnggggg nap!