MTC Week

On Saturday, August 24, I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by my stake president, Tonn Petersen, in my home. I'm so grateful that Caryn, Jon, and Tyler were there with me to hear the wonderful blessing I was given by such an inspired leader. He blessed me with gifts and blessings that only the Holy Ghost could have given him to tell me. We could feel the presence of my sweet husband, Doug; and it was almost as if Doug were helping him with the blessing and letting me know that he would be my companion through this special time in my life. He also blessed me with help from both sides of the veil, which of course includes Doug, but I think also includes ancestors, family and friends who are aware of me. 

I entered the MTC on Monday, August 26, after a fun breakfast with Coray. It was wonderful to get one last hug and boost of confidence before I entered the great unknown! I was given some pretty special tender mercies early in the day - I saw three friends from Orem that I wasn't expecting! First, I was greeted by Curt Jolley, a friend and colleague of Doug's from BYU. He was the official greeter for the missionaries arriving, but it was sure fun to see a friendly face! Then at lunch just by chance a man sat across from us. He was coming in from the hot sun, obviously working at the MTC grounds. He looked so familiar - I asked him if he were Richard and he said yes. It was Richard Fafita, who married a girl from my home ward, landscaped my yard, and hired Cameron to work for him. The next friend I met was a counselor in my MTC Branch Presidency. It was Larry St. Clair, who had coached Coray on a junior high basketball team and knew Doug at BYU. It was sweet to have these friendly faces from a past life to help me feel at home and relax just a bit.

I won't detail everything from the MTC. It would mean copying my journal and just taking up too much time and space. I just have to say, though, that I was so amazed at all that goes on there! I knew in concept what surely must happen, but to experience it for myself was just incredible. I think every parent of a missionary needs to get a glimpse of what their missionary kids experience. They really don't take pity on the old folks either! Even though I won't be teaching or proselyting, I still had the MTC experience learning from Preach My Gospel. We were taught how to quickly get to know someone, from the fun-to-know to the good-to-know to the need-to-know. The need-to-know allows you to find something of a gospel nature to share with that person. We practiced on assigned "others" who were other missionaries learning the same thing. Through the process we were taught to listen to the Holy Ghost telling us what this couple needed to know. Then on Friday they brought in volunteers, and we had to do the same thing. These are fellow church members, but still it was harder to go through the process with less time to get to know them and prepare a meaningful lesson. All of this was definitely a stretch for me, but a really great learning experience personally. I loved picturing my three missionary grandchildren doing the same thing months or weeks earlier. I really was given an appreciation for the inspired programs of Preach My Gospel and what takes place at the MTC. I was amazed at the high caliber of teachers - just young BYU students themselves. In fact, Jon and Camille did it too! I'm even more proud of them for what they were able to do!

A couple of other details that I just want to include because I don't want to forget them:  On Tuesday night we had a devotional with Bishop Gérald Caussé. He taught us what it means to be a "bold missionary," which is something I needed to hear. I also sang with the MTC Choir. It was pretty incredible to sing "Hope of Israel" and "Called to Serve" with a thousand other, mostly young, missionaries. On Thursday night, my companion and I walked over to the new MTC buildings so that we could see the special murals and walk through the building. I was hoping that somehow Doug could see them through my eyes. He was working at BYU during the early planning stages for this addition to the MTC, and we frequently drove by during the first stages of construction. He didn't get to see the beautiful result. The pictures I've attached show the view from one of the buildings looking at the rooftop garden of the second building. The foyer of the building has a chandelier of hundreds of long strings with small lights and feathery attachments. From below you can't tell what it is, but from the second floor looking down you can see that it represents the world. Then on each floor of this building at both wings (so 12 in total) there are huge murals, I would guess maybe 10 feet by 30. They are photographic representations of stories from the scriptures with a quote giving particular reference to missionary work. They are so beautiful with lighting from behind which brings out the detail. The picture I took was of the sons of Mosiah. It's impossible to do it justice.

On to Friday! We left the MTC at noon to get to Salt Lake by 2:00 for a lease signing and welcome meeting. After this orientation, we were met by young elders serving in the mission who helped us unload our cars and move in. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by my apartment. I chose the one that is on the bottom floor. There are big windows, and I only have to go down seven steps - we thought that would be easier for carrying down groceries, etc., and I can park on the street to unload without having to go through the parking lot and courtyard. It has one bedroom, a living room, kitchen and bathroom. It's probably not very big, but I was trying to have low expectations. It's bigger than I expected. My furniture is in great condition and very comfortable. I even have a recliner! The bed is comfortable, and I have enough closet and storage space! I think I can do it for a year!

Friday night and Saturday were spent at Smith's, Walmart, and Costco buying the necessities. I'm not completely unpacked, but I also have Monday off because it's Labor Day. I think by Tuesday I should be ready to begin my training for the mission. We won't know until Friday what our specific assignment is, so more fun and surprises ahead.

Today is Sunday. I attended the Ensign Peak Branch, which consists of only part of my mission. After we have a permanent assignment on Friday, we will be assigned a branch based on where we work. Today was testimony meeting. It was sweet to hear the strong testimonies of the young elders, most of whom are challenged in some way, but not with their testimonies. We also had a General Authority Seventy visit - Elder Jimenez, with his wife. He spoke for the last 10-15 minutes of the meeting. That was an extra blessing for the day.

Sorry that this first post is so long! I don't expect that they will all be this long. I'm excited and grateful to be a missionary. I know there will be challenges, but I also know that I will be blessed to be able to serve!

The pictures:
1 - Everybody knows you have to have a photo in front of the map.
2 & 3 - All the senior missionaries going all over the world - 10 of us to USLCHQ, four sisters and three couples.
4 - My district - The Deweys are going to Korea to work in the office. The Millets are going to Hungary for MLS and working with YSA. Sister Davis was my companion for the MTC and is going to my mission. The cute young sister in the middle was one of our five MTC teachers - Sister Kurihara.
5, 6 & 7 - The new MTC building - rooftop, chandelier, and mural.
8-13 - My apartment (for the benefit of my family who might be dying to know!)