At the Mission Training Center - Pointing to the Temple Square Mission
Arriving at the MTC - Our First Day
Our First District at the MTC - First Week
Elder and Sister Frost in Training - at the MTC
Our Mission the 1st Week
Temple Square
Mission
June 6, 2013
We can’t believe that we are missionaries for the Church
because this has been a dream of ours for many years. Last week we spent five days at the MTC
(Missionary Training Center) and what an experience that was for us.
We arrived on Monday, June 3, 20013, and were greeted very
warmly. After an orientation with about
101 senior missionaries (the largest group of seniors they had seen for many
moons) we were divided up into districts.
The rest of the week we were together with three other couples for the
rest of our experience at the MTC. What
great couples they were and we couldn’t have had a better time with them,
laughing, crying and being uplifted.
They included: Elder and Sister
Simmons (going to Richmond Virginia), Elder and Sister Nielson (going to Ghana
South Africa) and Elder and Sister Chaney (going to Tacoma Washington). We were taught by two young returned
missionaries who tried to keep us in line (actually Taggart in line). Sister Bateman was one of the instructors who
herself served on Temple Square. She was
thrilled to see us and gave us some good tips about working as missionaries on
the Square.
The days were long and we got up early each morning, not
very well rested, but excited for a new day of instruction. Tuesday night we
had a special devotional with Brother Tad Callister (a general authority) as
the speaker. He gave a tremendous talk
which inspired all of us. It was
incredible for us to see an auditorium filled with future missionaries from all
over the world. When we sang my eyes
were filled with tears because there was such a strength and power in the music
and words.
Probably for us one of the best experiences was getting to
know seniors from all over the country.
We shared a commitment at that moment, a determination to go out and be
the best that we could be. We talked
over every meal and grew closer to those who were with us. I personally was struck by the fact that so
many of them were serving more than one mission. There were widowed sisters who were unafraid
to serve the Lord. Getting too
complacent is not good, to get out of one’s self and doing something with one’s
life is paramount and these seniors taught us that. At the end of those five days we had really
bonded together, especially with our district.
It was very difficult for me to say goodbye to those three couples in
our district and we both hoped we would be able to see them again one day.
On Wednesday 900 plus new missionaries entered the MTC. It was fun to see them come excited about
this new adventure in their lives. It
was crazy though, the sidewalks, buildings and cafeteria were filled to the
brim. It was difficult getting around
and we were glad to be in our little chapel receiving instruction without the
young ones present. We are so excited to
see this great movement in regard to so many missionaries, young and old,
willing to serve. Truly lowering the age
limit for the young people was inspired of God and the seniors too are being
pushed by the spirit to serve as well.
We learned so much those five days and are
looking forward to next week with further instruction. We were definitely out of our comfort zones
presenting and testifying but the Lord was with us. In fact the Holy Ghost
was so strong in our
interactions that we cried continually. Taggart and I were surprised in role playing
that
our emotions were so close to the surface.
But it was the spirit touching our hearts and we could not deny
it. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, became real to us
and His message was instilled within our hearts.
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