The MTC

We have come to the end of a really wonderful experience in the Missionary Training Center. Neither of us knew what to expect from this week. Todd didn’t go to the MTC when he was a young missionary so it was a first time experience for both of us. We have really enjoyed it. We spent the weekend before with my mom. It was good to spend some time with her and she drove us to Provo for our scheduled drop off time.

That first day, Monday, was crazy. Honestly, I was so overwhelmed that it was hard to take everything in. We were part of a group of senior missionaries who were all checking in that day. They took us through an orientation, dealt with a bunch of travel business and basic information about how the MTC works, and gave us several tours so we would know where to find the cafeteria, laundromat, classrooms, etc. We were very excited to get our name badges on! We took the famous picture by the world map, trying to reach Iceland, but we’re just not quite tall enough! 

The most overwhelming part of the day was navigating the cafeteria. It is huge and usually packed full of young missionaries trying to get their meal. I really admire the people who prepare enough food for over 2,000 people for three meals a day. I cannot imagine what that requires! After the first day, we figured out how to manage our meals there, but on Monday it was a shock! (Let’s just say I stuck with the fresh fruit and salad bar most of the week. Todd enjoyed endless chocolate milk and the Aloha plate – teriyaki chicken with rice.) It was hilarious to watch what the young missionaries were eating. There were signs at different stations announcing how many plates were allowed at a time. Some kids would take 2 or 3 plates at once, if it was allowed. We saw stacks of donuts and desserts on many tables. Oh, to be young and able to eat whatever we want! We were told that senior missionaries were allowed to cut the line – something Todd enjoyed taking advantage of throughout the week. 🙂

We also spent a bunch of time doing this same sort of interview with young missionaries outside. This was often in the evenings when we would find a place to sit and watch the missionaries come and go from their classes. If any of them would make eye contact, Todd would ask where they were from and where they were going. They were always excited to hear we’re headed to Iceland! One young elder offered to hear Todd’s testimony in Icelandic so Todd could practice. He did a good job! Then those elders told us their mission purpose in Spanish. These are great kids.

Our week was spent in classes. (We told our grandkids we were at missionary school. That is the truth!)  At the start of the week we were placed in districts, groups of 4 couples, whom we spent the week learning with and growing to love. We met every day from 8-12 & again from 1-4:30 and were taught by young sisters who had all previously served missions. They taught us how to share what we believe, speak boldly, and proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. They did a wonderful job and we grew to love them as well as the couples we were learning with. (Todd had fun trying to set all the single sister teachers up on dates with the single brother teachers also working at the MTC. He managed to get one couple to exchange phone numbers, so who knows?!)

Our district had (left – right) Elder & Sister Sabate, assigned to serve in Denver, Colorado – Elder & Sister Jones, assigned to serve in the Philippines – Elder & Sister Tarwater, assigned to serve in Los Angeles, California – Todd & I, assigned to serve in Iceland – and our morning teachers, Sister Bennett & Sister Anderson.

Our afternoon district teacher was Sister Worthington.

During the week we were also paired with a couple from another district to practice what we are learning. We were put with Elder & Sister Meldau who are assigned to serve in Ecuador on their mission. We quickly grew close and hope they have the best experiences as they serve their mission. They were very inspiring to work with.

Most evenings there was a devotional or meeting for us to attend. One night we heard from Elder Ringwood and his wife. Another night we had a video fireside from Elder Bednar called “The Character of Christ”. One night was a meeting with the MTC presidency. These days were full and, honestly, exhausting.

We stayed on campus in a private room. It was like a nice hotel room. We had a queen bed and private bathroom. There was a common area on the senior residential floor with a lounge, outdoor patio, & a kitchenette with a fridge & microwave that everyone could use. It was very comfortable. Here’s the view out our room window:

Throughout the week we spent time exploring the MTC campus. It is beautiful. The landscaping and buildings are gorgeous and so well thought out to meet the needs of the missionaries being trained here. Here are a few pictures:

The biggest laundromat I’ve ever seen and this is only half of it — the other side is a duplicate: 

Young missionaries in class at night. This is just one wing of this massive building:

Looking out over campus:

Todd found a few young elders to play ping pong with. Yes, he brought his own paddle from home! 

One of the things we loved the most about our MTC experience was being surrounded by thousands of people who have set aside their regular lives to serve a mission for Jesus Christ. All of these young people are nervous, excited, and trying to learn. They are inspiring. There are also seven single senior women who were here training this week. All seven of them are widows and all of them are going to be mission office workers for their mission assignments. Only one of them is assigned to serve in the United States. They are so impressive. And, also, these senior couples! It was wonderful to be grouped with senior missionaries who have such faith in Jesus Christ! We have all left families, jobs, homes, and other conveniences behind in order to serve a mission for our Lord. We are also nervous, excited, and trying to learn. These good people are heading all over the world to serve their missions. I know the Lord will be with them, and with us, in His work. To spend the week with them has been a wonderful way to start our mission experience. 

Tomorrow we fly to Iceland to share our love of Jesus Christ with the wonderful people there. As we do so, we look forward to following this advice from President Hinckley:

“Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. … Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ”. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-14-losing-ourselves-in-the-service-of-others?lang=eng

P.S. If you’d like to see more pictures from our week in the MTC, check out Todd’s Facebook page. He will be posting lots of pictures throughout our mission, more than I can put in a weekly blog! So many great pictures! You can find them here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561154456959