MTC or Bust!

 Here we are when we arrived at the MTC on June 23rd.  It's hardly fair that this was taken just as we came in the door and got our tags etc.  I had cried my eyes out at the airport and our luggage was somewhere between the MTC and our hotel so I couldn't even put on a new face - I would prefer a much younger one!

This will be a long post but I wanted to include our experiences at the MTC.

June 23rd

We are here at the Springhill Suites in Provo.  We have just come back to the hotel for a few minutes in between meetings and activities.  It will not surprise you that the church has done an amazing job at having things organized and beautiful for us.  There are fresh flowers all over the foyer and in all of the meeting rooms - so exceptionally done.  There was a small snack buffet outside one of the rooms at the MTC - bottles of water at the entrance, and a medley of nuts, candy and then a very nice array of cookies in our room.  WOW!

 We were met at the airport and then came with 3 other Presidents and their wives to the MTC.  As we drove past the In and Out in Orem Bruce had a very longing face on – just one more burger before we depart for Mexico – but that was not to be. When we got here we got our badges - we wear English ones here at the MTC and put them on our right sides so when the Brethren have an opportunity to shake our hands, they can see our names right away.

We had lunch first then checked in.  All of our materials have our names on them and we were greeted by MTC personnel (who called us by name as they approached us).  I mean even our conference booklet has each of our names and our mission name on them.  We then went to 4 stations (guided to each by more helpers so we didn't have to wait in line).  We met with missionary travel to get our passports back and to get our visas as well as our flight info for Thursday.  We talked to finance and got the credit cards we will use for mission expenses and to go over our budget.  We went by missionary medical to pick up our RXs for the year (some of the couple's boxes of meds were VERY big and we are glad ours is very small).  Then we got our pictures taken - together and then they took one of each of us separately.  No Photo Shop here to make us look younger - boo!  This is the picture that the Church will use to send to our new missionaries in their packets and to hang on the wall across from the big map at the MTC.

We came to the hotel so we could drop off some things - I have been carrying around my laptop bag with my ipad and kindle in it and I thought my back would break.  Then we are going back for dinner at 5:30 and then we meet with the 4 missionaries we have here that are going to our mission.

We are grateful for this opportunity to feel the spirit of the MTC and focus on what we have been called to do now that we have all of the temporal things completed.

We both are feeling a sense of relief that we are here and now we can get on with the Lord has asked us to do.  I will write more tomorrow to tell you what we have done.

June 24

We just got back to our room after a very long, but good day.  We had Sacrament Meeting with President Monson this morning.  There was an MTC choir that sang Consider the Lilies of the Fields and I was just trying to keep from sobbing uncontrollably, making a fool of myself during it but I noticed that there were many other blowing their noses and wiping their eyes.  The words never had quite such a

significance to me before.   All of the Frist Presidency was there and all of the Apostles except President Packer and Elder Hales.  All of the Presidency of the 70 as well as many other General Authorities

were there also with their spouses.  I had a chance to see Susan Bednar and she just threw her arms around me and said how much she had wanted to come when we were set apart but that she was traveling back from Europe.  Can you image - she wanted to be there too.  President Monson talked about how to motivate missionaries and he was as entertaining and inspiring as you can imagine.

We had a break for lunch and then we had another session with Elder Nelson talking about The Book Mormon and how is applies to the gathering of Israel.  Wow we learned so much and saw some things from the perspective of God and the Savior.  Then Elder Evans of the Missionary Department spoke on the desires of our hearts.  What a way to begin the conference.  These two talks have given us so much to ponder and talk about with regard to our missionaries.  We had a short break and then we divided into 7 groups to be taught by Elder Clayton (Presidency of the 70) and Elder Clarke (First Quroum) on the Doctrine of Christ and how to help with retention.  The discussion was wonderful and we all got to participate.

 We talked to Elder and Sister Bedar and Elder and Sister Nelson.  He remembered that we had seen him at Primary Children's in January.  We also had some time to talk to Elder and Sister Oaks - he told Dad how much he appreciated his presentation last month at BYU-Idaho and how much he had learned from the great message.  Nice!

Then we had dinner (oh by the way the food is amazing and we are trying to stay away from the beautiful desserts) and sat at a table with our In Field Representative and 2 other mission presidents going to other missions in Mexico and their wives.  We will have opportunities to be with them while we are in Mexico and it has been nice to get acquainted with them before we get to the field.

 Today was so spiritual and beneficial to us but I will admit we are tired.

 June 25

A question - can a brain explode from too much information?  All of the other mission presidents we have talked to are kind of in the same boat as we are - very wonderful and valuable information, but we are overwhelmed and overloaded, not to mention wondering how we can do everything that is required to bless our missionaries.

 We started the day with President Eyring speaking.  It was inspiring and he promised us all that we will be able to do everything needed, and do it well.  I was glad to hear that promise.  He said that we must banish thoughts of discouragement and self-doubt because that will keep us from serving well.  I think that is such good advice for us all - focus on what we can do, and do it well and the Lord will make up the rest.

 Then Elder Cook gave a very interesting and important talk on how the church is coming out of obscurity.  He gave some statistics that would be so surprising - one was that there are now as many Mormons in the world as there are Jews.  He gave us us guidance on what we should say and do it aid in the effort now that there are many countries in the world who are looking at us very closely.

 Then we had a break and went on to a session on the rescue and how missionary work aids in helping those who are lost, find their way back to the gospel.  It was such a good discussion on how we can help local leaders in their effort to bring members back to activity.  I know how important this is in helping our Father's children have all of the blessing He desires to give them.

We then had lunch and went on to hear Elder Holland teach about the Godhead.  It was wonderful and taught in such a loving way.  This was not new doctrine but it gave us an additional witness of how they are individual but united in all things.  He said that one member of the Godhead can speak for the other two at any time that the situation warrants it, because they are the same in purpose.  His testimony was so powerful.

We then had a session of Preach My Gospel.  We had some very valuable training of how to use the book ourselves and with our missionaries to help them be more spiritually mature and more effective when working with investigators.

After a break of a few minutes, we had another session on training missionaries.  We went through a sample 3-month calendar and that's when my head started to spin.  There is so much to do and I am feeling ill-prepared.  We have been promised that it will all come and I know the mission will be in the hands of your very capable father.  I know I am glad he will be leading me along with all of our missionaries.  I know we are not alone in the work and that the Lord will guide us as we are obedient and prayerful.

June 26

I'm not sure even how to begin to describe our day today.  We began with hearing from President Uchtdorf.  His talk was amazing and he said that we had been called to our specific area for a specific and divine purpose.  He also told us that we should never underestimate our influence on the missionaries and that we will teach most effectively by example.  It was a wonderful message but I felt such a responsibility to find out what the Lord wants me to do to bless the lives of our young men and women.  I just don't want to blow it!

Bishop Causse spoke next.  He is the 1st counselor in the Presiding Bishopric.  He gave a great discourse on faith, repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost.  Elder Holland introduced Bishop Causse and in his introduction mentioned that the language of the Spirit is the language of the gospel.  That really helps me as I think about not being able to testify in the way I would like.

After a short break we meet in our groups to discuss ways to find people to teach.  We learned the doctrine of finding and then talked about how we can apply what we learned to help the work move forwards.

Then we had lunch and sat at the table with Elder and Sister Nelson.  What a wonderful conversation we had with them and 2 other presidents and their wives. One of the couples is going to the newly created Vanuatu Port Vila Mission.  Wow they have hundreds of islands and in the first 30 days will fly 19 times in order to see all of their missionaries.  Crazy.

Then we enjoyed a panel discussion about helping missionaries - which meant that we heard all sorts of questions and answers to those questions - very interesting and enlightening.  Then we all went to the big auditorium to hear Elder Perry speak.  What an amazing experience.  The picture at the bottom of the email is of our missionaries at that devotional.  When you look at the picture,  see the sister standing in the yellow skirt and white blouse.  Then go directly up and you will our 4 missionaries standing in a row.  They all waved and we gave each other the thumbs-up sign.  It was SO great to see them.

When the MTC president introduced the mission presidents, he had us all stand and then he said he paid tribute to all 110 of the couple because he said that we answered a call we did not seek to a land we did not choose.  Then we sang Called to Serve!

Then we went back to our seminar room and had dinner (the food was beautiful and delicious) with Elder and Sister Bednar and Elder Scott.  They had place cards for us and we sat right next to the Bednars.  Elder Bednar said "Well you are stuck at our table."  Not!  It was amazing to be taught by an apostle in such an intimate setting and after dinner he gave Dad a big hug.  I didn't think  it was right to try to hug him so I put out my hand and he said "No, I get a hug from you."  In the arms of an apostle - not too bad. 

 We talked to Elder Perry for a minute and he said that Papa was his favorite mission companion.  That was a tender mercy.  Now we are back to the hotel to fall into bed!

When we get up in the morning, we can say that we leave tomorrow.

 June 28

Good morning from McDonald's in the SLC airport.  I'm sorry I didn't get a note off to you all yesterday but it was a long night and a very early morning.  We had to basically repack everything and then get up at 4:30 to be sure we were all showered and spiffed up and ready for our 6:00 am departure to the airport.

Yesterday was so amazing.  We began with hearing from President Packer.  We were sitting close enough that we could see him very well and his message was so important for us all.  He talked about loving the missionaries and listening to the Spirit.  In fact he said, "Never go against what the Holy Ghost tells you to do."  He told us about a time he had been sent by the First Presidency to take care of a problem missionary in California and, after interviewing the missionary, did not feel that what they had asked him to do was what the Spirit was telling him.  He called President Henry D. Moyle (1st counselor) to ask his advice and President Moyle said do NOT go against what the Spirit is telling you.  President Packer did what the Holy Ghost had prompted and it made all the difference in the life of the missionary.

 Then we had a short break (more food of course) and then we went to a session of being a great mission president.  This was led by Elder Evans who is the managing director of the missionary department.  He told us many things that will help us as we begin our service in Mexico and we were grateful for his loving guidance.

 After lunch (someone had moved our stuff to the front row so that is where we were for the last sessions - wow to be so close to the leaders) we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Oaks on the Priesthood and Priesthood Keys.  What good and sound advice and information.  He explained that giving authority to someone to act on behalf of the President of the Church or the Quorum of the 12 is like a power of attorney.  That was a very good way to explain it.  After Elder Oaks spoke, we heard from Elder Ballard.  He is the great-great grandson of Hyrum Smith and he talked about Hyrum and Joseph and some of their missionary experiences.  This was on the day (and almost the very hour) of the death of the prophet and his brother at Carthage Jail.  It was so touching to hear it from this great man.

Then we had a break (more food) and then we heard a panel discussion on helping our missionaries.  Those on the panel were, Elder Oaks, Elder Holland, Elder Nelson, Elder Scott, Elder Clarke, Elder/Dr Doty, Elder Evans, Elder Wickman (who is the lead counsel for the church and a dead ringer for Dana Carvey - in looks and voice - it was uncanny), Elder Rasband and a few others - WOW.  Good counsel and good answers to questions.

The last session was concluding remarks.  Elder Evans began and just expressed his love for us.  He was so kind.  Then we heard from Elder Scott, Elder Bednar and Elder Anderson.  Then Elder Holland finished up and finally Elder Nelson concluded.  I want you to know that all of these Apostles pronounced Apostolic blessing on us (which would be no surprise) but they also blessed our children and grandchildren in our absence.  The promise has been given to you all - apostles are praying for you and you have been promised great blessings.  I could hardly keep from just sobbing.  We sang God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again at the end and I was actually doing fine until I saw that Elder Bednar was looking right at me.  He just nodded and then it was all over for me.

We bid adieu to the great friends we had made at the conference (most of whom we will see at the Mission President's seminar in the fall - which we hear rumored will be in Cancun).

To have seen all of the members of the First presidency, 11 members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, all of the Presidents of the Seventy, and many other Seventies has been beyond what we could have ever imagined.  We have heard a lot about trust and love from the Lord.  We have heard a lot about how important the work of saving souls is.  We have heard a lot about how we will be blessed and protected.  We have heard a lot about loving our missionaries and the people of Mexico, and we have heard a lot about the power of the Priesthood.  The Lord has been so good to us and we are anxious to get on with the work of spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I promise you that I will work until I can work no more in furthering the work of Lord and I will give the Lord my best.  May the Lord wear me out.