What were you doing five years ago today?

Elder Holbrook got a Snapfish reminder asking that question the other day, and showed this picture of us from March 2011:

This was when we entered the MTC before going to the Russia Novosibirsk (Siberia) Mission. Five years later we find ourselves serving another mission, only this time we can understand what people say to us--most of the time anyway. We have loved both of our missions for very different reasons.

It was fun flipping through pictures of our time in Russia and remembering the wonderful

Our Russian name tags--they really do say Elder and Sister Holbrook

people and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. We are still in touch with some of our Russian friends through Facebook. One friend, Lilya is in Salt Lake now going to school. We plan to meet up with her when we get home and hope to meet up with some of our other Russian friends somehow.

Our Canadian name tags--no translation needed!

Yesterday we hit our six-month mark since our second stay at the MTC before heading to Canada, and ten days ago was 5 months since we arrived in Dartmouth. This mission is zipping by so fast! No, we're not getting trunky (we don't know our release date yet, and won't until we know who will be replacing us and when), just hitting milestones.

Just when we start to think we're getting a handle on things, something new comes along or we get a new directive and learn even more. If nothing else, this mission is teaching us to think on our feet. President Pratt is a brilliant man and we do our best to keep up with him. Sister Pratt is amazing in her own quiet way--they're a good pair. The young missionaries keep us in stitches with their antics. We're SO glad we're not in charge of cars :)

Serving the Lord as a senior couple has been wonderful. Full-time service to the Lord is the best! Working with the missionaries keeps us young. Being able to bear our testimonies regularly helps to strengthen them even more. Feeling the Lord's love for all His children is a side benefit. Christ's church has been restored to the earth and is going forth to the world. It's true.

He loves us all, as we were reminded of this last weekend as we celebrated Easter. We are grateful for our knowledge of that and the opportunity to share that with others.