July 7, 2014: President Michael Cottle came to the house a 8:00 a.m. this morning and set all three of us apart. Craig’s family came in their Sunday best clothes. Jeff also was there. As he set us apart, he blessed us with safety, enthusiasm, ability to understand and speak the language, the ability to have a positive influence with those that we meet.
We appreciated his effort to come to the house and personally set us apart.
We left around 9:00 a.m. for the MTC. We arrived with about 150 other senior missionaries. During the opening meeting all of the missionaries introd
uced themselves and indicated where their call was for and for what purposes. Most were for the United States.
Others were for Hungary, Indonesia, Samoa, Rome, Hong Kong
and London.
this is one third of our sr. missionary group that week - we are just left of the center
The day was spent with orientation and discussion about the life as a senior missionary. The specific assignments were so varied and no one had been called to a "proselyting mission". There were several called to "member and leadership support" which can also be extremely varied. We moved into our apartment for the week. Two bedrooms at Wymount Terrace. Very nice and comfortable for the week.
During this time, the Spirit was very evident as these missionaries began to prepare to go to the different parts of the world as ordained servants of the Lord. We have come to understand firsthand the special spirit that resides at the MTC. It is overwhelming to see and mingle with the younger missionaries but I have to say, I felt like I was in high school when we were in the cafeteria. They appear so young. But you can see their resolve to do what the Lord and prophet have called them to do. It is no wonder why people throughout the world look with wonder at them.
Why would you devote two years of your life for this cause?
We were divided into districts with whom we had several role play/torture sessions.
Randy participated with us during these situations and was very engaged. He did very well this week.
Our trainers, who are return missionary, BYU students, know we don't like "role play"
but this is our first task at doing something we don't like or aren't comfortable with.
Brother Teuscher was our favorite, even though he could be annoyingly cheerful.
We did come to love him. We got extra attention because he served in Brazil also.
Tuesday night is the night for MTC devotionals. I think this was probably the highlight of the week for me. It's always inspiring to listen to and be in the presence of an apostle. The devotionals are broadcast worldwide, some live and others on a tape delayed basis. The devotional is located in the gym which is transformed into a chapel holding over two thousand people. Senior missionaries sit on the floor (on chairs) while the young elders and sister fill the rest of the seats.
Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Twelve and his wife provided the devotional. He talked about the 10 things that we as missionaries should do and not do. It was an great feeling to hear all 2000 missionaries sing “Called to Serve”
During an evening break we met with Jeff and Ryan at Tucanos in Provo, for Brazilian food-
just another senior missionary flexibility perk!
we were lucky to see them, the other kids weren't feeling well~
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