It is rather tremendous to see all the new, young missionaries here although some of them have questionable (read appalling) taste in ties.  But overall they are wonderfully beautiful, all those worthy young men in dark suits and well dressed young women.  The head of our department is also a stake president and he said that as of the change from 19 to 18, he has 110 applications on his desk.  They can no longer accommodate the seniors at the MTC but are housing them at the Marriott and teaching them at the stake centre next door.

The RS on Sunday, our speaker was Linda S. Reeves of the new General RS Presidency.

Sunday night the fireside featured a men’s choir from BYU.  I love male voices.  They sang lovely Christmas songs and several of them spoke.  The second and third speakers just may turn up as general authorities some day.  The third one said he was introduced to the church by the “flirt to convert” initiative.  He is now back from a very effective mission and he never mentioned the original girl so we must conclude that though she played an important part in his conversion, she is no longer in the picture.  But what a great influence she had for good.  The last song was accompanied by one of the films from the New Testament which had everyone (including me) in tears.

Tuesday’s devotional featured Elder Hallstrom of the Seventy.  The fellow who leads the music is always very enthusiastic and earnest.

Monday we went to Welfare Square.  I missed being able to sort through Deseret Industries while there.  I love thrift stores.  To Paul’s consternation, I already bought six sewing patterns and three knitting magazines at a different DI.  He is carefully watching the capacity of the car.  They make great cheese at Welfare Square.  The Deseret products are very good but we don’t have them in Canada because of labeling and “best before” issues.  We are learning things but I think the best teacher will be on the job.  We are anxious to get going.

The paper today featured a news item about the Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 21.  That will be tough on my granddaughter who had her braces removed on the 10th.  I personally have too much wool to knit to have the world end just now.  I found this great website that has fabulous sales every Tuesday.  The end of the world will just have to wait.  There are still the hungry to feed and souls to save.

Love to all.