Kevin's Amazing Experience at the MTC

Elder Holland and President Packer talking to Aeldste Kleisler and
his two companions outside the MTC

In my e-mail today I received some wonderful pictures from when Kevin was at the MTC. I will tell you the story in his own words:

"So because of my solo situation all of my roommates left me on Monday morning, and my branch presidency told me to go to the front office to get a reassignment that morning. So, rather grumpily, my companions accompanied me to the front desk and scheduling department. Now, because of the seminar, security around that building is extremely tight! But, they of course let us through because I had to get a new room. So, we went in and started to make the change. On the TV i could see the seminar that was taking place literally 40 feet to my side as I sat in the office. President Eyring was addressing the mission presidents. It was a really powerful message, and as we were finishing up, he bore his testimony and got off the stage ( as I saw from the TV) this should have been a clue, but it didn't click for whatever reason. So, we thanked them for their help and we left. Thankfully now I am now living with my companions! So, awesome! But, that's not the story. So, we were walking back around the front entrance to the Wilford Woodruff building when we a saw a white Buick parked just outside the entrance of the building, directly in our path with a few men standing around it. Elder Mecham, oblivious as usual, didn't notice, but I sure did, as i said to him a calm voice, "yep, that's Elder Holland 15 feet in front of us." Sure enough, it was Elder Holland! They stopped us politely about 10 feet away from the car, and we watched as Elder Holland walked president Eyring to his car. I was thinking to myself, "Okay! That was awesome!" But Elder Holland was still standing around for some reason. I soon found out why, as President Packer came out of the building, walking carefully with his cane out towards the car. He spoke with Elder Holland briefly, then turned, and motioned toward us for us to come. As he did, the biggest of smiles turned on all of our faces as we walked toward the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. He shook our hands and asked where we were going, where we came from, and we talked with him a bit. He said at the end, "well, it's about to begin isn't it?" That's the awesome thing about apostles, you can never tell for sure what they are referring to! Just after that, President Holland came up and made a comment about being something like 1/22nd danish! So, yeah! A pretty awesome experience! Being a solo elder really paid off for once! So yeah, awesome experience! The tender mercies of the Lord! I was having a rough couple of days, and really thinking that I couldn't speak Danish well enough. But that coupled with a great meeting with my teacher, Bror Birk, really helped me realize the little things we have that make all the difference!"

What an amazing experience to begin his mission with!!

President Packer shaking Kevin's hand