We arrived in Las Vegas

 On Friday, we loaded up the car and truck and left for Las Vegas!  It was so sad to leave the grandkids again.  We picked up Jared at Primary Children's Hospital, where he works, and he helped us drive down.  The plan was to take the loaded truck and car, and then Jared would drive back the truck.  Lisa made us some zucchini bread, which was SO delicious, and we munched on it on the way.  Thanks, Lisa!  The trip went so fast because Jared engaged us in such fun conversation, and before we knew it we were there!  We arrived at 9:45 p.m. or so, and the Blacks (the mission president and his wife) were there to meet us.  It was so sweet!  We opened the car door to a blast of heat and it was 97 degrees--that late at night!

We are staying at a "casita"--a room over an extra garage of the home of a stake president.  It's there, in the background behind Jared.  It's about the size of a hotel room and has twin beds, a couch, and a kitchenette with a microwave, small fridge, and toaster oven.  There isn't a stove or oven, but it's nice and very adequate.  Jared slept on the floor even though Glen and I wanted to share one of the twin beds and have him take the other twin bed.  That is so like him.  He left early the next morning to drive back to Layton, probably without getting much sleep.  Thank you so much Jared, for taking all that time to help us move here!  We had a great time with him and really appreciated it.

On Saturday we got settled in the casita, ran errands, and found the mission office, which we learned is in a large Deseret Industries complex very much like the one in Layton.  It's only about five years old and looked really nice.  That night we went to a stake pioneer day celebration, which was so well done and well attended, and had such a variety of activities which involved the kids and the youth and it was really fun!  We were very impressed with everything.  We met several of the elders in the area and one of them said, "You have some pretty big shoes to fill because the Zobells do a great job."  Another one asked, "So are you tech savvy?"  Gasp!!!    

On Sunday we went to church at the ward where our casita is--not the ward where we will be as soon as we move into the condo.  The ward was amazing and vibrant and there was even a family there who we knew from Layton!  We were asked to speak in church the next Sunday, even though it will be our last Sunday there!  That evening, we went to the Blacks for a yummy dinner and visited with them for a few hours.  It was an awesome evening.

On Monday, July 23, we started our office training at the mission office.  When we got there at 8:00 a.m., we were greeted with this bouquet of flowers and welcome sign!  Can you believe how sweet?  Here we are in the mission office with the Zobells, the couple who is training us.  Our first day was a little overwhelming, but pretty fun.  I had NO idea how much it took to keep a mission running.  All the behind the scenes work that the office people do really enable the missionaries to actually teach and make the best use of their time.   We have a ton to learn, and the Zobells are really helping us.  I have to trust in the Lord to help me as I learn my new responsibilities.  Glen seemed to catch on really fast to his.

In front of the mission office with Jerry and Debbie Black, the mission president and his wife.  They do an amazing job!