First Week in the Mission Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah.



Elder & Sister Meyers

 Elder Meyers and I flew from Boise to Salt Lake on Monday, December 27, 2010. Every thing went smooth.  We were so happy that our luggage was within the weight limit. When we arrived at the Salt Lake Airport we collected our luggage and found the shuttle that would take us to Provo for our training.  Bishop West called as we were approaching Orem.  It was nice to have our Bishop care enough to call and wish us well.  As soon as the shuttle stopped at the front doors of the MTC, a sister gave us directions, keys to our room and then several young elders came and assisted us with our luggage. They helped us to our room.  We had about an hour to unpack and rest for a few moments.  Then we went to an orientation There they had stations that you rotated to.  The stations were: instructions, meet with Elder and Sister Buchanan who were our senior missionary religious leaders in other words if you need help see them or at least know that phone number, visit with the nurse to make sure that all your shots and other things pertaining to your medical conditions were in order, the last station was personal information and what we needed to purchase from the bookstore for our training.

Our District

After lunch we started into the real life as Senior Missionaries!!! We met as a group and were organized into district. Elder Buchanan explained that this brethren that would be our district leaders were chosen by the computer.  Elder Meyers was chosen to be in charge of a district. Our district included ourselves, Elder and Sister Baker who are going to the Philippines, Sister Fellars who will be serving with the CES Program at Church Headquarters in their library, and Sister Oyhenart who has been called to serve in Bolivia with the PEF Program.  We did lots of training, talking and stressing with this group of individuals.  They are all wonderful people but Sister Oyhenart could drive a sane person crazy if you would let her.


Trainers

 We spend four days four days training out of the Preach My Gospel.  We were given instructions and then allowed to teach using role play.  This uncomfortable and stressful but I know that it will also be very useful.  It was interesting when we would relax and let the Spirit guide us.  Things went much smoother but it was hard to have enough faith to always do that. Our trainers were young and so so inspiring. Several seniors that had served missions were brought in during the week to share, encourage and inspire.  They were terrific to listen to.
One of the special things this week was the missionary devotional that was held on Tuesday evening.  Brother Lowell Snow (a member of the 70) and his wife, Tamara both spoke.  She bore her testimony and Brother Snow talked about coming unto Christ.  It wasn't what they said so much it was The Spirit that was felt.  Even before the meeting when we were waiting and singing with all the missionaries I became very emotional.  Singing "Called to Serve" with two thousand three hundred missionaries is awesome.


Senior Missionaries in our group

 On Friday several of our senior group left to report to their mission.  We will be staying another week for Church Education System training (CES).
The Gospel is true and life is good.  We encourage anyone that is thinking of a mission to get their paperwork started you will be blessed!