Most days at the MTC were very similar. The first week we had Preach My Gospel (PMG) classes before lunch, and also after lunch until dinner.
Our district with our morning PMG instructors. We must have been the trouble making group, because we had three instructors in the mornings.
With our afternoon PMG instructors. Craig and I on the left, the Kershisniks (who are serving in Paris, France) next to me, and the Popes (Pakistan, although because of the difficulties there they have been serving in the Family History Center in SLC. They did receive their visa finally, so they may be able to go there soon.) to the right of them.
The second week we were trained in what we specifically would do during our missions. Craig and I were trained in what we would do as humanitarian missionaries with others who would do similar things. Those classes were during the same time slots as the PMG classes. Others were trained in office work, leader and membership support . . .
After dinner on Tuesday evenings were devotionals where general authorities speak to all the missionaries, young as well as seniors. Our first Tuesday Elder I Raymond Regbo and his wife Comfort (I ADORE her name! It fits her very well) spoke. We were reminded that the language of the Spirit is the most important language and to teach by the Spirit. If you do this you will be correct nine of ten times. We were also told that if we trust in ourselves God will deliver us from everything that we may not understand at the moment. Other reminders from them - the fruit of the Spirit is joy; “o be wise, what more can I say.” We were very tired, but they kept us awake and interested as they were speaking. It was a wonderful devotional.
Friday evening we had dinner with a couple of old friends, Helene and Larry Arnett. They live close to the MTC and were kind and invited us to their home. Because we did not have a car Larry was kind and picked us up and drove us back. They were supposed to have reported to the MTC one week before us, but Helene tore a tendon, so they had to postpone. Helene did not want her cane in the picture although she had a difficult time putting pressure on her foot. She is much better now! When I write this they should be in Canada where they are assigned to serve.
The beautiful view from the Arnett's balcony.
On Sunday everyone who were staying on campus met together as a branch. Some lived close and went to their home wards (congregations), and others who had family nearby attended their families’ wards. Craig and I were among the ones who stayed and attended our MTC branch. Some of us were assigned things to do for the two meetings, someone conducted the music, one couple gave talks, Craig and I were asked to lead a discussion for Sunday School. There are also devotionals onSunday evenings, but I unfortunately forgot to take notes. It was a wonderful and fulfilling Sunday.
At our second Tuesday evening devotional we heard from Elder Marcus B. Nash and his wife Shelley. It was another spirit filled meeting. From them we learned we should be “steady like a sea kayak.” Other types of kayaks are steady in quiet water, but a sea kayak is made for rough waters and will not be as likely to capsize by a wave like a stable kayak. It is important to be prepared to handle rough times in our lives. We were reminded that the first fruit of repentance is baptism, not to take the sacrament for granted, and not to approach baptism as a checklist. Lastly we were told that God put eyes in the front of your head so that you cannot look backwards. This was an important reminder for me. It is easy to look back and wish we had done things differently. That is not possible unfortunately, but what we can do is learn from our mistakes and make changes going forward.
The beautiful painting in the hallway right outside our room. It is of a mother and her son, a stripling warrior. I love this painting and the story - the 2,000 stripling warriors had such strong faith because their mothers had taught them. Alma 56:47-48 "Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."
Our MTC experience was fantastic! There was only one thing we would change - the food. It was okay, but we got tired of the cafeteria food pretty fast. Those who lived close and had cars were able to leave and go to restaurants to eat. We were not as fortunate, but were lucky to have met a kind missionary couple, the Popes, who drove us to a Mexican restaurant for dinner one evening our second week. The food there would not normally be amazing, but after almost two weeks of cafeteria food we were happy.
We love Laos and its people even though we have only been here less than three weeks, but we would encourage anyone who is considering serving a mission to do so.
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