Missionary Training Center (Week of 1 Sep 2014 to 5 Sep 2014)

On our way to Provo, we were a bit early, so we took advantage of the extra time & stopped by the site of the Provo Temple, which is under construction following the fire that destroyed most of the original Provo Tabernacle.

We arrived at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on Monday at 9:45, & received our badges & instructions. It was so exciting to think that this mission has really started for us, & we are anxious to begin learning & feeling the tremendous spirit here that our missionary sons, daughter-in-law & my parents have told us all about!

Had to take the traditional photo op next to my Great-Great Grandfather's picture!
Wilford Woodruff, the 4th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
was one of the most incredible missionaries in the days of the early church.

They directed us to our housing for the week, which was in a building just north of the Wilford Woodruff Administration Building. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the room was like a really nice hotel room! Queen-size bed (which is essential for a companion who is over 6 feet tall!), nice corner workspace, etc. And the best thing? Here is the view out our window...

Pretty sweet view, huh!!!

They told us not to worry about unpacking our things yet. We were supposed to report to the chapel north of our accommodations, which is where we will be holding all of our Senior Missionary Training. (The young 18 & 19-yr-old missionaries are trained on the main campus, but we get our own "special" place :)  So, Bob & I grabbed our Preach My Gospel manual & made our way over to the chapel. We had a short small-group orientation & then went over to the main building to the Bookstore to get our materials & check with the Travel office. Then, back over to the chapel for our first official training session. It was so amazing to see all of these wonderful seniors all sitting together, ready to give the next 12-24 months to the Lord's service. It was truly inspiring! We were told that our group totaled 160...wow!

Here are the pictures of our entire Senior MTC training group for the week. Bob & I are in the center of the top picture:

Following the meeting, they assigned us to Districts, which is the small group we will be training with throughout the week. Most districts had about 4 couples, but ours had 9! Eight married couples & two single sisters who will be serving as companions. Our trainers were amazing teachers, with incredible missionary spirit & enthusiasm. We really enjoyed being their students in the gospel.

Here is a picture of our district. From left to right:

The Lowe's from Seattle WA, going to Moscow Russia

The Rappleye's from Delta UT, going to Norway

The Nemeth's from Calgary Alberta Canada, going to London England

The Castle's from Las Vegas NV, going to Indianapolis IN 

The Latham's from Spanish Fork, going to Ghana West Africa

The Berg's from Pearland TX, going to Africa Southeast Area

The Wood's from Salem UT, going to Tallahassee FL

Sister Albaladeijo from Frisco TX & Sister Paskett from Ogden UT, going to Mesa AZ

Brother Teuscher, our instructor (back row)

The Fairbank's from Bluffdale, going to Atlanta GA

(I hope I got all of these names correct, whew! We had a BIG district, but we had a blast together!)

Most of these couples will be serving as Member Leadership Support (MLS) or as CES/YSA Specialists,
working with Seminary & Institute Young Adults. Sisters Albaladeijo & Paskett will be serving in Records Preservation.
We will be serving as Public Affairs Specialists. 

So, you want to know about the MTC cafeteria food all the young missionaries have told you about? Well, it was great! And LOTS of it!!! We had to be really careful to not take advantage of the quantities, or they'd have to roll us out on Friday! I have to tell you though...the dozens of Polynesian young Elders definitely made up for what we Seniors didn't eat. They mounded up their trays, & then went back for more...haha!!! 

We woke up each day about 6:00am, went to breakfast, & then over to the chapel. We had a short devotional each morning at 8:00am, followed by group instruction with all the missionaries. Then we'd go to our district training til about noon. Lunch from 12-1:15, followed by more district training, & end with group instruction. Dinner was served between 4:30-6:15, & the evenings were free to do what we wanted. 

Morning district training from Brother Teuscher. He served in Brazil & was an amazing instructor!
Our afternoon sessions were taught by Brother Cohans. He served in Johannesburg on his mission 4 years ago & shared some great pictures & stories with us throughout the week!

Always need to catch a picture in front of the big world map, located down the main hall of the Administration Building.
We're pointing to Johannesburg, South Africa, which is where we will be based. 

Let me share a little bit about the Teaching Appointments all missionaries always stress over. Yes, we were VERY nervous & anxious going into our first one on Wednesday, but our instructors had prepared us very well. Our first "investigator" was a non-member, & we taught her about The Restoration. It was incredible how the Spirit entered into our conversation & touched her heart. It was wonderful!

So, when Thursday's Teaching Appointment came, we were a little more at ease. Bob & I both realized quickly that no matter how diligently we prepared a lesson to teach (this one was on The Plan of Salvation), if you forget about yourself & LISTEN to the person you are teaching, the Spirit will enter in & inspire you what to say. We loved it!!!

Friday, we paired up with another couple & took turns as either the missionary couple or a less active member. It really helped me understand that you need to be sensitive to the person's concerns & needs and then teach them what THEY need to hear...which in many cases is not the lesson you've prepared.

We attended an evening session at the Provo Temple on Thursday.

This entire MTC experience has been one of the best weeks ever! We felt the Spirit so strongly & our testimonies grew more than any other time in our lives. We left with renewed energy & enthusiasm, & with a sincere desire to assist the work of the Lord in any way we can while we are His representatives to the people of South Africa. Bob & I know that this is the right time for us to serve, & we are going to the right place, where the Lord knows that we can do the most good. The main thing I learned, was that as long as we keep the Savior as our companion & guide, we will be happy, & those people we meet will feel of our love for each other, for them & for Jesus Christ.