My First Discussion!!!!!!

Wednesday, May 9th
I never would have pictured me in this scenario, but today I helped give my first discussion.  Intensive training by our young trainer, Brother Tom Meyer, study after the devotional last night, prayer, study, anxiety, a little Valium and I am on my way.  We knock on the door and are met by a lady from Tonga!!! She invites us in and away we go.  We were supposed to get through the whole first discussion but that was not to be.  It was however a very spiritual experience for me as her background was very similar to mine.  Her grandfather was a Methodist minister, she was told to repeat the Nicene Creed, and confessed to not believing the concept of the Godhead.  We discussed feelings that were very similar as children and formed an instant bond. 
On a side note her name was Naaiti, which means spikenard oil used to anoint the Savior’s feet…Wow.  Needless to say, it was a wonderful discussion with Naaiti teaching us more than we taught her.  And at the end she read a poem that she had written the night before for me, for Mother’s day, and it had my name on it.  How did she know who she was going to be talking to.  We have heard about the Tongan people and their closeness to the spirit.  I think we witnessed it in person.  Tears came freely.
Today was also arrival day for 350 new missionaries so it was incredible to see all the new Elders and Sisters moving through this campus towing several large suitcases.  This is an amazing place and is run like a well-oiled machine.

Thursday, May 10th
(Dad is writing as mom is in bed, hopefully just a little exhaustion but she is aching everywhere and chilling)
Discussion #2
This time it was a couple who pretended to be non-members and they sure fooled us because we found out afterward that they were members.  Of course, this is what they are supposed to do in order to help the missionaries learn how to teach and interact.
But once again, their scenario was very close to home with your mom and I wish you all could have seen your mom take off.  It honestly makes me think about requesting a proselyting mission.  She is a natural in the teaching situation and she so quickly brings the spirit into the meeting it is simply amazing.  It was beautiful to watch.  She was a little upset afterwards when she found out that they were members, because she had gotten so emotionally involved but, again, that is the way it is supposed to be.  Anyway, you all needed to see it.
This afternoon and tomorrow we are working on teaching the less active and so we will have a couple of more experiences tomorrow with teaching but it will be done with other senior couples so things won’t be as tense.
Kelly – up until today I have been pleased with the cafeteria food but tonight it was chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.  One of my favorites!  I cut into it and the chicken was raw!  I kid you not.   Not just under cooked, I mean raw!.  So I am praying that it was just my piece, or they were testing the Lord’s protection of his missionaries or we will have a lot of sick missionaries tomorrow.

Received our first package in the MTC.  A box full of goodies from Jerianne.  Thank you so much, it made our day!

Our teachers are playing some game (Birdman) where if someone surprises them with this sign, they have to drop to the ground.  Don’t remember what they call it, but they are all doing it.

Surprised our afternoon teacher, trying to let him know that we were exhausted.  Didn’t work, he cut us no slack.

All the senior missionaries meeting several times a day as one group.
Signing off until tomorrow.