Richard and Kathleen Walker

President and Sister Walker (2011-2013), Jon (2017-2019), President and Sister Preston (2015-2017) and Chris Pattendon (MTC Manager). Not pictured President and Sister Edwards (2013-2015).

As wonderful as the last two weeks have been, the visit from the Walker's and having them stay at the MTC, was the strawberry on top! Kathleen Walker is President Hinckley's oldest daughter. Having a conversation with her and her husband was like having a conversation with her father. She was so open and so honest and so real! Jon asked them to speak to our missionaries at one of our devotionals on Sunday. WHAT A TREAT THAT WAS! She talked about growing up in her house and how totally normal their family was. She told us a story about her stubbornness about not wanting to buy a $4.50 pin for seminary graduation. Her seminary principle made a big deal about it and called her father, who didn't make her buy it (she was standing on principle by then) and let her stay home from graduation, where he was speaking. When he got home he said, "I didn't say anything you haven't heard before." And that was the end of it. She said they didn't sweat the small stuff. And she said her mother was amazing. When he would be off traveling and people would ask her how she was doing, she would say, "We are having a ball!" And they did!

The Walker's also shared the story of how they got together. It was darling. They were both widowed at a pretty young age (50's), and she was not planning on re-marrying. He on the other hand, felt like he had things he was supposed to do (like work in the temple) with his wife. They were set up by his daughter. They ended up going to dinner somewhere they thought no one would know them, and of course someone walked in that they knew. By the second date they knew that they would be married. He talked about trying to get an appointment with President Hinckley to ask for her hand in marriage. It was hysterical. They were the President and Matron of the Salt Lake Temple and then they came to the England MTC. Listening to their experiences was so fun! She is feisty and funny and lovable. I was a little concerned about having them come and stay, and maybe feeling judged by the things we do differently. It was certainly not like that for one second. I feel like they are new friends that we have made. It is a really beautiful blessing to have that kind of effect on people. I hope I can be more and more like that for people I meet in my life.

Jon asked Sister Walker this question at our Sunday night devotional. "Your father was a counselor to a prophet with failing health for many years. I remember him standing at the pulpit at conference and assuring us that the prophet was still being consulted and making all of the important decisions that need to be made in the kingdom. With President Monson's failing health, what can you share with the missionaries to help them feel like we are being led by our prophet today?"

She immediately said that she was sure that these prophets had moments of lucidity when decisions had to be made, and that they make these decisions. Decisions about filling vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve, and other matters that need the prophet's say. She assured us that she didn't know why the Lord was letting President Monson linger for so long, but she was sure he was still leading the church and having lucid moments where he is very clear and is able to tell us the Lord's will for us.

Sometimes I wish Jon was writing in this blog as well, because I feel like he would say different things about the same experiences. I hope I say enough to help us remember the feelings we have had.