A Weekend At Jan & Wayne's

I spent a good part of the weekend at Jan and Wayne's.  She let me borrow her Triumph TR8 convertible.  So I went to the water slides with Valerie, then up to Alta all the while getting fried by the sun.

I have just realized how picky I have become about women.  In a way it is good.  I will not marry just the first girl that comes along.  At the same time I might not give some girls a good look when I ought to.

How come I feel like I have done this before?

Ron is going to have a church court.  This will be an interesting experience since he is my roommate!

I have really been tempted lately to avoid writing in my journal and reading the scriptures.


JC

Flight Plans To Bolivia & Saying Goodbye To Elder Klaich

Well, 1 down and 3 to go!

Elder Klaich took off this morning for Italy.  Last night the four of us, Elders Klaich, Chavey, Smith and Christensen got together and took some pictures.  Then we had a prayer.  It was really neat.  We all knelt down in a circle with arms around shoulders and Elder Smith gave the prayer.  Afterward we all had some "abrazos" (hugs) and that's the last I've seen of Mitch Klaich, for two years anyway.

Due to this late night gathering, I got to bed pretty late.  It was the first time that I missed getting to bed at 10:30 but considering the circumstances I think that it was justified.

We also got our flight plans yesterday.  I wrote home and told Dad and Mom that we were leaving on a Monday.  Two days before Jan gets back from Europe!!  I am not sure what is going to happen.  I know that Mom will want to drive over and see us off.  Dad however may have something going on.  I'll just wait and see.

We are going to have quite a few hours in Miami.  I wonder if I can contact anyone.  It will be my only chance to be a missionary in my own land.  I better make it good!

We sure got a long P-Day in front of us tomorrow.  There are a ton of things to buy to get ready.  I hope I have some time to write letters, but I just don't know.  I hope nobody gets mad if I don't.

5 Hours In The Provo Temple

Our P-Day got shot in one way and heightened in another.  We were planning to go to the University all after the temple to do some shopping and get haircuts.  However after we came out of the endowment session we were asked if we would do some sealings.  They lasted about two hours.  Then after those we were asked again if we would like to do some ordinations.  Well we couldn't pass this opportunity by either.  All in all we ended up spending over 5 hours there.

Elder George Lee was our speaker at the devotional last night.  He really spoke well.  We got excellent seats.

There is a lot of construction going on around here.  They are putting new water pipes in.  There are some narrow bridges over some trenches and when a whole mess of white-shirted elders are tramping across it, I am reminded rather vividly of herding sheep through a gate or leading them up a shoot.  It is quite a site and I am sure that that is what my Dad would think of if he saw them in that manner.

Speaking of Dad, I think he was honored this weekend as the guest of honor at the Colorado Woolgrowers' Convention.  He is a great leader and when he gets his priorities straightened out I'm sure the Lord could make good use of him.

My sister Jan is in Europe right now.  I hope she has been enjoying it.  She has been waiting for something like this for a long time.

Well I only have 4 more outside of class concepts to pass off.  This should put me in good shape to get all 8.

I wrote a cool down letter to Linda today.  I hope she doesn't take it the wrong way.  That wouldn't do too good.

Well it is about time to go get some grub.  6 weeks tomorrow - I just can't believe it.

JC's Mission Farwell & Being Set Apart

Today was one of the choicest days of my life.  Today was Father's Day and the day of my farewell.

I think the best thing about today is the special feelings that I have had for my father.  I don't think that I have ever seen him better.  He showed real joy and appreciation for the gifts which he received.
The most special part of the day for me was Sacrament meeting.  The bishop spoke.  He even remembered a talk that I gave when I was 14.  Then Kerri in her meek but beautiful way, got up and told me that she loved me.  I get nervous every time she stands before a crowd.  Not because I'm worried about her speech difficulties but because her words always bring out my strongest emotions.  I often find myself choking on tears when she stands.  Jan followed Kerri with a "Dear John".  She reflected back on some of the moments that we have shared.  The long talks (which haven't been long enough) and shared confidences were mentioned in the talk.  Next came Kris.  She reflected some experiences that she has had with me.  Saving me from choking on a jack.

From time to time throughout the service, I struggled vainly with my emotions and tears.

Sister Marion Pond sang a song entitled "My Little Boy".  The song was composed by her.  It was very stirring.

Mother spoke of the missionary mold and the qualities that this particular "model" has.

I believe that the highlight of the day was when my beloved father spoke.  He fairly quickly wandered off of his notes.  His manner of speaking is so beautiful that no one would have guessed.  He expressed his appreciation to those people in the ward who had made contributions in my life (there are many).  He then went on to thank my friends.  It is hard for me to remember exactly what he said.  I was too busy fighting tear drops.  I do know that I don't believe that I have ever felt closer to him in my entire life.  His words came from his heart and I could feel his love for me as never before.  He closed his talk with some Spanish phrases which really hit me.  He said "John, 'Noja con Dios', 'Bueno suerte'" and one other that I can not recall.

The Lord helped me get through my talk somehow.  I wouldn't be surprised if no one heard anything.  They were probably pondering and savoring the preceding excellent talks.  I talked about missionary work.  I read a letter to my grandma that was written while my grandfather was in the mission field in 1912.  I closed by bearing my testimony and reading from Alma, his parting words with Shiblon who was going on a mission.

Brother Ken Lowell finished by singing "Ye Who Are Called To Labor".  Mike Chovey offered the benediction.

After Sacrament we had an open house.  It was enjoyable talking to those people whom I love so much and have helped me so dearly.  While at the open house, Bishop Christensen walked up to Jeff and I and informed us that we were both going to be set apart tonight.  Jeff and I both headed for the phones.  He to call his girlfriend and I to talk with my dearest Linda.  She must feel terribly left out.  Linda sounded kind of down.  I did my best to cheer her up but I am not too sure of my success.  It was hard saying goodbye.  I later found out that it would be OK to call her even after I was set apart.  I doubt that I will call her again however because I think that it will be easier for her not to hear my voice again.

After Sacrament the Bishop handed me a check.  It was for the sum of one-hundred dollars.  Even though it was written on a Church check, I would not be surprised if the money came out of his pocket.  Sister Klaich gave me a book by Carol Lynn Pearson and twenty dollars.  This good woman has two sons on missions and she does not have a lot of money.  I know the Lord will bless her.

At 8:00 pm we went to the Stake President's office.  He interviewed me then Jeff Smith, I then had the opportunity to stand in while Jeff was set apart.  Then Jeff and his Dad, my Dad, the Bishop stood in while the Stake President set me apart.  President Cleghorn said some marvelous things.  I hope and pray that I will be able to live up to the blessings that are in store for my family and myself.

We came home and listened to tapes of conversations and my birthday party.

We are going to head up to Aspen in the morning.

I took Debbie out last night and she gave me a pen to match my pencil.  I was touched.

Friday night we (the young adults) went to Birline Lake to water ski and swim out.  Afterwards we went to Pizza Hut to munch down.  On Wednesday night I took Julie Waldrop out.  I had to get my two year quota filled.  It was fun.  I enjoyed talking to her.

I AM A MISSIONARY!!!!!  I can't believe it.

Receiving The Temple Endowment & Other Pre-Mission Events

As Jan, Mother and I were traveling home from Manti yesterday, Jan started reading passages out of her journal.  I hope that some of the words that I will enter in this journal may serve to do some uplifting to some poor soul, meaning me.

I have to do some catching up on past events and I will do my best to bring it up to date.

I have been convalescing to an extent from a bad back.  This problem has been bothering me for the past few months.  I definitely believe that I am on the mend.

Since this is a missionary journal I will primarily contend with those things pertaining to my mission.  I must however add those happenings and events that are meaningful to me.

I guess I'll start with the shots.  My typhoid shot was a killer.  My arm ached for days and it made me sick.  I get the second dose two days before I go into the MTC!  Polio was OK, it was an oral vaccine.  I guess I will get the majority of my shots while I am in the MTC and then I will get some gamma-globulin shots every three months while in Bolivia.

I have had some really good talks with my Bishop and Stake President.  Bishop Christensen is a real good man as is President Cleghorn.  They have provided me with loving and wise counsel during these last weeks.

This weekend has really been a big event for me.  Thursday morning Jeff Smith and I drove over to Provo.  We barged in on Boyd Hill but as usual he offered us his floor and the rest of his house.

On Friday we met Mother and Jan at Mr. Mac's in Salt Lake.  Jeff and I got just about everything we needed right there in one store.  We got close to 50% off on all of our purchases.

Then we went over to purchase our first pairs of garments.  A lady sent us into dressing rooms to try them on.  That was really strange.

Jeff and I were fasting that day and it seems as if Mom and Jan were trying to tempt us.  Every time we turned around they were eating or drinking something!

Saturday was a real big event.  As I pondered and thought about going through the temple I realized to a small extent the responsibility that I would have to accept.  I just pray to the Lord that I will always be able to handle these responsibilities.

The temple ceremony was really neat.  There were a lot of things that I couldn't comprehend.  Fortunately I will be able to go through several more times before I leave for Bolivia.

The temple was so beautiful I just forgot about everything except for the endowment ceremony.  We were blessed to have in our company:  Mother, my Aunt La Rue, Wilford Moses, Gary Hall, Bishop Christensen, Lynn Shumway, and of course Jeff, Mitch, and myself.  I wish that my beloved sister Jan Leslie could have gone with but I know that her time will come and she will settle for no less.

After we went through the temple Aunt June prepared a marvelous feast of baked ham, salads and various other delectable foods.  It was grand!

The trip home was OK.  I am afraid that I will miss the scenic beauty of Utah and Colorado.