The MTC ! At Last !!

My arrival time for the MTC was between 10:00 and 10:20am on Monday morning September 1st which was Labor Day. I thought it would be a good idea to get gas before I entered so I wouldn't need to fill up when I left. But finding the gas station was so difficult. The GPS took me every which a way except the easy one. I made it the MTC right at 10:20. I was told where to park and I went in and was given my security badge and a bunch of info on what to expect that week and the schedule of events. Then over to unload and unpack in  my room like a hotel and a meeting in the chapel at the stake center next door. There were sooooo many young missionaries! They were everywhere! We had a large group of seniors too. We had a short meeting where we were put into districts. Then off to lunch. And like I said there were missionaries everywhere in the cafeteria. The food was soso but lots of choices. I am doing my best to eat healthy but it is so funny to see Elders eating 4 bowls of cereal at one time.

Sight seeing in Utah and visiting some of my very best friends.

I left Las Vegas early so I could temple hop and see some of my good friends before reporting to the MTC on September 1st. I got a pretty nice hotel room in SLC over by the airport but the internet was awful. I had to sit on the floor and hope it would connect. This made my logistics a bit challenging but I still was able to find everywhere I wanted to go. I was able to go to the Ogden Temple re-dedication on Thursday morning, August 28th. It was at 9:00am and still there was a ton of people. It looks much bigger now than the original temple. It is beautiful inside and will be used all the time I am quite sure. I went to the Brigham City Temple because Bro. Barrett from our Sacramento Temple always told me I had to go there. It is a very small temple. It use to be a tabernacle and was converted to a temple a few years back. The seats in the endowment room are the same antique chairs used in the tabernacle. The are beautifully ornate. But the most amazing scenes were on the sealing room ceilings. They are covered with the most gorgeous blooms of pink. But I couldn't leave Utah without seeing Debbie Knudsen and Lois Sweeten again one last time. So ff to lunch and a really fun visit.  I also went to the Salt Lake Temple to do a session on a Saturday so there were all kinds of weddings going on and lots of people. But there is nothing like the beauty of the inside of the Salt Lake Temple. Words cannot describe it. For site seeing I went to the This Is the Place monument. I have always wanted to see it and I finally made it. It was a cloudy day with rain threatening so it wasn't very busy. I was able to get some good pictures. After gazing over the Sal Lake Valley I can understand why the Lord brought the pioneers there. It was the perfect spot! Next day was Sunday so I went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. During the winter months starting in September or in this case, the last week in August, the choir moves it's Spoken Word performances to the Tabernacle from the Conference Center. I have seen them perform in both settings and both times it was great. The tabernacle cannot hold all the choir so I guess maybe they all take turns performing each week. The music by the choir and orchestra was outstanding and brought tears to many in attendance. Sooooo here are all my pictures   and I do mean all. I'm getting this picture thing down real good now. Did I mention I love to drive? A lot?

                                                         My hotel room, Adequate

                           At the Ogden Temple open house August 28th, 2014

At the Brigham City Temple thanks to a sweet sister from Ireland who took my picture.

At the Brigham City Temple

At the Salt Lake Temple, That's me!

 This is the Place Monument and a view of the Salt Lake Valley.

The Spoken Word broadcast at the Tabernacle on Temple Square on Sunday, August 31st. Church at the 14th Ward building with a stained glass window of the first vision.

Back, pack and take off for Utah.

I left West Sacramento the day Lens Rose and Gabe started school, August 20th. It had been a wonderful visit with all my friends and family. Now was the time to head back to Las Vegas, pack up my things and head to Utah. I spent a few days with Toni, Trevor and Sophie just doing stuff, a little shopping, eating out and enjoying them for just a short time before I would be gone for a long time. I will miss them and miss seeing Sophie grow. But we can always Skype and I plan to be doing that as often as possible. So car packed to the roof, snacks on hand and away I go!

Lena Rose and her Birthday Party

Lena's birthday was August 18th but Toni and Trevor were leaving on the 18th and the Saturday before was the 16th so she had her party then at John's Incredible Pizza in Roseville. She had several of her friends and her family with her and Elizabeth of course. It was lots of fun!

But this wasn't all! On her real birthday I took Lena Rose and Gabe to Letherbys for lunch and a surprise for Lena. She got her own special sundae and all the waiters sang happy birthday to her.

Friends, family and more.

Most of my trip back home was to say good bye to many of my wonderful friends. At church I hugged and talked and enjoyed my ward family for a couple more Sundays. But I had some special friends I wanted to see in person to say goodbye. So off to lunch with many of them. Some was dinner and a wonderful visit. A few I was only able to have a short visit. But all in all I saw most everyone I wanted to. I really wanted to see Judy Shill, a lifelong friend, in West Sacramento. But Judy and her husband, Ken, were off on vacation in Alaska. Good for them. Bummer for me. So here are my friends that I love and will miss on my mission.

Dinner with Dale, Amber, Brooke and Al was always enjoyable. They are a great family and have stuck together thru thick and thin. Good things will come their way. Love them so much!

Mandy Durnall, the best friend anyone would ever want. I already miss her so much. We had such a wonderful time getting to know each other and work together at the temple.  We are kindred spirits. So much fun together, it's so hard to explain how much Mandy means to me. We will always be sisters at heart. If I could have Mandy for my mission comp it would be amazing but alas, her husband has first dibs. Maybe we can serve together in the same place someday.

Cynthia Weaver, a total inspiration! I love Cynthia and all she has triumphed over. She is an amazing miracle in my life. I love how she enjoys life and loves to serve everyone. We had so much fun together and I miss her more and more everyday especially on Sunday. I am so grateful the Lord but Cynthia in my life and for all the wonderful times we had together at church and the barn.

Allison Cox loves life! It hasn't been easy for her but she just keeps going and bringing so much happiness and love to everyone around her. Friends for life and more. I could always count on her for a hug and words of encouragement. Love her bunches!

Beth Bone is a courageous sister who battled back against the powers of evil in her life. She is one determined cookie and I am grateful she shared her life with me. One of the highlights of this last year was being her friend and helping her get ready for the temple and being her escort.  We had a wild ride together and I do mean that literally.!

Elaine Stall has been my partner in crime, FFA, 4-H, Football and so many other community activities. We worked so well together and accomplished great things. She is amazing and she will always hold a special place in my heart. Partners in crime, that's us!

Kelly Heffington loves life, people, her family and her friends. There is nothing she wouldn't do for someone. I cherished our time together in FFA, 4-H ad Football. She spent many hours at our barn just lovin on the animals. She is so compassionate and a great example to me.

Megan Elhert is a fresh and new surprise in my life. I only knew her for about a year but she is quite the doll. Megan opened her own bakery and made so many wonderful deserts for my family. She became one of my special friends. Happy, perky, sweet and amazingly successful!

Sister Mary Baggs is one of those special women that comes into your life to give you direction and help you so you don't make a fool out of yourself. Sister Baggs served in 2 temple assistant matron positions when I worked in the temple laundry. She always made it a point to come and visit with me when we both were working. I love and admire her and I am so grateful for her guidance. I only flubbed up occasionally under her tutelage.

Suzie Wilde is the daring woman that agreed to take my place as the Laundry Boss in the temple. I grew to love and appreciate her so much. She is fun, loving, and full of energy. I wish I could have spent more time getting to know her but we can make up for that when I get back. Love and am so grateful for her.

My sister-in-law Teri Davis is a wonderful person. She is a wonderful mother, sister, wife and all around loving and gentle lady. I am always comfortable in her presence because she has that way of putting people at ease and making them feel accepted. And what is most remarkable is that she is real and we all know it. We can always depend on Teri to love us genuinely.

Wendy Slagle and I have been friends for over 20 years. She served with me in our Primary Presidency and we became the best of friends. Times came and went and we didn't get to see as much of each other as I would have liked but in the end we were still there just same old good friends. I want her to have the best in life because she deserves it!

My cuz, Pinky Dahn, is a character and a half. There is never a dull moment around Pinky and I love to hear her laugh which she does most of the time. I can never thank her enough for coming into my life and helping me get to know our Nichelini heritage and family. She's a keeper!


My cousin, Beverly Loney, is also a very special lady. This is a women of unbound patience! She cares for her husband, children, grandchildren, sister, etc, etc. etc.. My Dad and I loved to visit her and her husband, Tom. She is a wonderful, loving and dedicated person. I am grateful for the love she has shown me even when I was a little girl and she crushed an aspirin in a spoon so I could take it even though her kids were brave and could swallow it whole.I will always remember her compassion.

One of my dear friends for many years is Jane Teeter. I asked for a picture of her but don't know if I'll get one before my mission is over so I may have to add it later. Jane and I were health nuts together. We had many great adventures and she will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Sophie's Blessing

On Sunday August 17th Toni and Trevor had Sophie blessed at our ward building in West Sacramento. Trevor's mom and step-dad, Lyndie came along with Shawn and Brittany with their family from Las Vegas. All of our family came except Eric who was in Oregon and Paul Drew and Amanda. Trevor gave Sophie a wonderful blessing. After sacrament meeting we went to Kevin's house for some lite lunch and visiting. It was a very special day.