Monday "Breakout"

Last Monday evening, for the first time since the first part of March, Gary and I headed out of our house for an actual gathering with people outside of our own family.  Our friends, Pat and Joyce Abernathy, are serving in the Salt Lake Headquarters Mission in the family history library so we went down and walked around Temple Square (in our masks) and enjoyed a social distancing dinner at the Blue Lemon across from Temple Square.

They answered lots of our questions and shared their love for their mission and for family history.  They have asked to extend their mission until January but they are not sure if that will happen or not.  They also told us that another friend from Hong Kong, Valerie Jackson, has been called to serve in this mission as well and will be arriving in July.  It will be fun to see her again as well.  Our conversations helped us understand more about the mission and the broad range of places which we may serve as it covers the Family History Library, Church History Library, Joseph Smith Memorial Building (which includes the actual mission office), and the Church Office Building.

They have loved being in downtown Salt Lake and have enjoyed many of the concerts and productions which are in the many theatres and concert halls in the area.  It has also been interesting to watch the changing of the seasons in Temple Square and now, the construction changes which are happening daily.  They shared that they have made many friends with people and couples from all over the world who have been called to serve here.

part of the construction barrier

I think we will love those same things.  Walking everywhere, making friends, watching the changing of the seasons, and being a part of the important work done here--wherever we may be assigned.  Can't wait for it all to start.