Packing was quite a project.  When all was said and done we were sort of like a jar of marshmallow creme.  If you opened a door, things sort of just expanded and out they came.  It took some doing but they were finally able to get it all in and on the cargo carrier on the back.  We did take more than we might have needed but wanted to have some bottled fruit, jam, sewing machine, tools, pans, and some of the things we might feel were important for the next two years.
    When we got to Grand Junction, we felt that the cargo carrier (Pauline calls it a back porch) was sagging a bit so we purchased some ties and secured it to the rails on top of the car.  Much better!!!

 

 

We stayed in Limon, CO the first night and then Cameron, MO the second.  As we pulled out from Cameron the sun was just coming up and there was big fan shaped clouds.  A beautiful morning....

 

 

 

We had quite a bit of head wind coming across Kansas but did okay.  The third night we were in Richmond, Ohio.  We thought we were stopping a bit earlier but soon realized we had passed into the eastern time zone and it wasn't as early as we thought.  Thursday we were a bit slower getting started because we didn't want to run into rush hour traffic in the big city but were still able to get to Kirtland just after 1 o'clock.  We were met by Elder and Sister Edmun, the visitor center directors.  We visited with them and then they took us to our new home.  They call it the Honeymoon Suite because it is so small.  No it is not large but very comfortable and we are mostly settled in.  It has two bedrooms and the kitchen table is in the living room but it feels home to us.  We didn't unpack some of our things because they said that we would be moving the first part of December because getting up the hill to our cottage is too dangerous in winter.  Two couples leave in December so we should be getting one of their homes.  Following are pictures of our house, inside and out. 

 

 

 

Elder and Sister Johnson are our trainers and they were serving out at the Morley Farm so they could not be here to greet us but they had left milk, margarine, freezer jam, bread and cereal here for us.  They then came about 6 and took us out to dinner, filled us in on scheduling and some of the things that we will be involved in.  Interestingly enough Elder and Sister Johnson are from CLEVELAND ENGLAND!!!   Can you believe that, you would think we were somehow tied to Cleveland.  Australia, home and now here and then them. 

We went to the visitors center this morning and went on a tour with the Sister Missionaries, had lunch with the Petersons (one of the couples from the MTC).  Dad helped set up their printer so they fixed us all a sandwich.  We then had the special opportunity of going out to the Morley Farm and listening to Bro Anderson talk about all the things that happened in Kirtland.  He is amazing and only does special tours but knows all there is to know.  Fun to listen to and such a special spirit.  Only thing is we were freezing.  The thermometer said in the 50's but with a bit of a breeze and humidity it was cold.  We then went back and watched the video at the VC and came home for supper, reading and whatever.  Everyone is sooo glad to see us and it is amazing to see and hear all of the special things that have happened here...a truly spiritual high for us and we are so looking forward to knowing and understanding all of it.  Below is a picture of Bro Anderson as he was talking to us.  Been a great day!!