Pittsburg PA Mission

Here are all the awesome couples in our mission!!

You can view our mission presidents webpage- the link is just above our bloglist off to the right
!

Well, I thought I would never get these pictures on the blog and I know they are not extraordinary, but they are ours, and part of our missionary adventures!! Will try to get some others on later!! Meetings, meetings, meetings!!

Bookstore--mailboxes--elders
Another of our teachers--our afternoon classes
This is the Tubbs they went to Hanover, Germany
This is a Doctor and his wife--Wilson ? They were going to Thailand, I think

Dad at the MTC map showing where we are going to eventually serve our mission
Here we are in the lobby of the MTC
The front door of the MTC it did not look like this the day we arrived--it was raining , raining, raining!!
Yup, that is snow on the mounains!!!
This is our district leader and his wife--Dave and Karen Nemow They were going to the Uraguay mission where Fred and Julie Ashby are mission president We loved them!!!!

This couple was from Alaska--
The Larsons on their way to the New Jersey Mission
Brother Smith our humble leader the one on the left is Joseph, the one on the right (don't know his first name)

Okey, these pictures including the one above are of Cove Fort in southern Utah where Pres. Hinckley's grandparents were called to settle by Brigham Young It was great seeing this as we had wanted to for a long time--a rest stop on the road to our week at the MTC

Wednesday, Sept 10, 2008 Nauvoo, Illinois--on the road to our mission
Well, We left the MTC on Saturday morning and went as far as DEnver, Colorado where we stayed with the parents of a couple we met at the MTC--Bro and Sis Graves. The elder Graves have served two missions, too, so were happy to show us around Littleton and take us to church on Sunday. They showed us around the place and it was amazing. There were some deer, with their fawns, too, and it was just lovely.
We left, in a rainy atmosphere on Monday morning. We stayed that night in Topeka, Kansas--nothing extraordinary--
Tuesday morning found us on the road again and we arrived in Nauvoo about 5 o'clock--everything seems to shut down at 5--so we ate,washed and dried our clothes, studied our lesson plan, and went to bed early. We got up early and went to the temple for a session. Many of you know what the outside looks like--we saw it a couple of years ago--but we got to go inside. We were the witness couple at the temple session (there were only 4 other couples) and the spirit was so strong--all I could do for the first ten minutes or so was cry!! There is a spiral staircase--we went to the second floor to the changing rooms--then up one more floor to the rooms. They change rooms,the first of course being the creation room (they use the video, though, not live) and each room had just beautiful murals on the walls. Dark wood--beautiful chandeliers--awesome. The terrestial room was indescribable. Wish I could describe it well enough. well, If you remember the Kirtland temple and how they have the audience set apart by railing, well,the altar was set apart by railing.directly in back of the altar, the whole wall was curtained, leading into the celestial room-- The celestial room has two exits--men to the right, women to the left!!beautiful chandeliers, carpeting, and all other decorations!! The man there asked if we wanted to look at the sealing rooms and they too were beautiful. The reception room , downstairs, had hardwood floors--one matron said that was so they could hear someone coming! There was one room , roped off, that was the assebly room--it looked like the Kirtland Temple with the elevated seating, gold pillars, etc. They said it was not used often-- It was just an wonderful experience.
We hadn't eaten breakfast so we walked down the street and the old buildings. One said Emma's mercantile, so we went in, looked around, then ordered sandwiches for lunch. After that we walked along the street and saw some of the other original buildings--very interesting!! We are staying in the same place we did a couple of years ago--first floor 107. Now, if we had our swim suits it would be great, as the pool is just right down the hall!!
Dad is to meet the temple president at 2 o'clock and so we will be heading back down there in a little while. We will be taking pictures and will put them on the blog---sometime--
Just a note. . . . .
We met with Pres Peterson, president of the Nauvoo Temple and although he had other obligations, his wife took us through parts of the temple that we could go in our street clothes.She took us downstairs to see the baptisimal font. It was beautiful, plus, there is a stained glass window just in back of the font, of John the Baptist baptising Jesus. It was beautiful. Then she had us look up the spiral staircase and it was awesome!! Then, she showed us the temple apron and shoes of Mary Fielding Smith (Hiram's wife) She told us some spiritual experiences she has had and all in all, the visit with Pres and Sis Peterson was one more thing to add to our spiritual cup!! Pres told us what a good man our mission president is:good teacher, etc and we are anxious to meet him.
We are going to the rendezvous at 7:00 and it should be good.
Guess that is it for a couple of days.
Our love to all!!

It is amazing here and one couple told us the first and second days would go slow, then you will cry about everything and Thursday and Friday will zoom by. Well, so far he is right!! We heard Brother Quentin Cook and his wife at fireside last night. They reserve seats on the first 6 rows for the senior missionaries. On Monday 62 missionaries arrived and there were already about 40 here because of extended classes--out of country, FHC, welfare, etc. It was soooooo AWESOME listening to all those missionaries singing!!! I can't tell you how inspiring it was!!!
Yesterday and today we got to teach an investigator; I think we passed the test!! I have the BEST companion ever and I admire the spirit he gives to the lessons. Tomorrow we get to teach an inactive member. I have to be the member for Dad and vice versa. Let's see, how does one act???
Wednesday is the day of new missionaries arriving and today was AWESOME!!!!550 missionaries arrived and there was luggage everywhere!! Red spots on their missionary badges showed the rest of us the newbies!! At one time there are 1500 to 2000 missionaries here at a time!! The old missionaries were watching the newbies, but were told to "move along" and one elder said Hey!! We want to see some real people. Like what are we???
Our instructors are AWESOME!! I am taking pictures and will eventually get them on the page for all to see.
In our group we have a couple going to Uruguay Montivideo and guess who is their mission pres?? Fred and Julie Ashby. Also Sherry Farnsworth Gurr's in-laws are here going on a mission, too!! Small world, huh??
We have met so many nice people (the sisters miss their families and friends as much as I do, so I do not feel too guilty)
Like when do I find time to do laundry?? It is a good thing that I brought lots--and about that!!, these sisters here are wearing every color and every style ever!!! And sandals and high heels,are they nuts???? The presiding senior just laughed and said she wished she had a pink suit to wear!!! Now why didn't I wear a red suit coat???
We will leave here on Saturday morning and are not to travel on Sunday, so will stop somewhere and find a church we can go to. We intend to sleep all day!! This getting up at 6:30 and out of the apt by 7:00 is getting to us. Poor Dad has the same bug now that I have had the past couple of days. Rocky mountain quickstep,and my air freshener is SOMEWHERE in the back of the truck. When the kids took things out to the car to be packed, Dad did not remember where what was!!!
I have a ton to talk about, but Dad wants to use this computer, too.
I love hearing from you--at least seeing 18 messages on the email list sure looks great!! And EXCITING!!
Do I miss everyone??????????????
We are in apartment after 6: 408-292-1514 hint hint!!!
Our mission address is:
Elder Philip Lindblom
Sister Janet Lindblom
Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission
2589 Wasington Rd Ste 410
Pittsburgh, PA 15241-2596

Well, we have a reading assignment so I had better get at it!!
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