10:30 - entering the MTC
Called to serve in the Europe Area, Frankfurt, Germany as Area Welfare Specialists
It was wonderful to enter the MTC doors again and feel the Spirit of the Lord wrap around us and welcome us back. Memories of three previous missions and 3 years of service in an MTC branch presidency flooded our hearts and minds. It is such a sweet experience to return to serve again.
We enjoyed meeting the consecrated couples that were ready to serve wherever the Lord sends them. They are going all over the world in very diverse assignments. All are covenant people and instant friends. It really is quite a unique experience. There will be 2,800 missionaries at the MTC this week. That's a lot of people in the meal lines!
We were challenged by our teachers to prepare lessons and teach other missionary couples in our training. It is wonderful to teach and be invited by others to come unto Christ.
This evening we saw a video of Elder Bednar's talk to the missionaries at the MTC on Sunday, Christmas Day, a few years ago. He spoke of the character of Christ and becoming more like him by following his example and looking outward to serve others. It was very inspiring.
MTC Training
We were organized into districts with a district leader. We had 4 couples in our district. Our classes started at 8:00 AM and ended about 4:30 PM each day. We ate in the cafeteria with the young missionaries and had wonderful conversations with them. They were all very respectful of the seniors. They would open doors, acknowledge us with a smile and often share a greeting in the language they were studying. They always allowed us to move to the front of the long lines. We had teachers in the morning and a different teacher in the afternoon. They were young returned missionaries that were now BYU students. They were all very gracious, energetic and inspiring in their training. We met as a group of senior missionaries for preliminary directions and then as a district for most of our other training. We had some of our training in the new MTC buildings.
Classroom Training With Our District
Group Pictures of the Senior Missionaries
Murals in the New MTC Buildings
The new MTC buildings are beautiful. They have floor to ceiling windows to let in light and have clear views of the mountains, sky, valley and campus. Two beautiful murals are on each of the six levels of the new building on the west. Here are pictures of the murals. They are back-lit and about 25-30 feet long and 10 feet high.
Final Thoughts
We were inspired by our fellow missionaries, our trainers, the MTC leadership and of course the Spirit. The time together with the couples was therapeutic and comforting. The instructors were fun, but focused and always kind and generous in every way. As senior missionaries, we all have made sacrifices to serve... it is really a matter of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that has brought us here. We have been given some basic principles and a bit of technology training that have prepared us to effectively share our testimony of the basic doctrines of the Gospel. We have taught several times and each time was a positive experience that invited us to learn more and do a little better. It was fun and challenging, but comforting to know that we can do what we have been called to do.
We love the Lord Jesus Christ and want to serve him through serving others, especially the poor and needy. We are excited to prepare by reviewing the Welfare principles so we can serve the Lord's way. Our humanitarian assignment will be challenging in many ways, but it will be rewarding to us and all those we serve and work with in so many more ways.
We will send our next posting from Frankfurt, Germany.
We love you.
Auf Wiedersehen
We enjoyed meeting the consecrated couples that were ready to serve wherever the Lord sends them. They are going all over the world in very diverse assignments. All are covenant people and instant friends. It really is quite a unique experience. There will be 2,800 missionaries at the MTC this week. That's a lot of people in the meal lines!
We were challenged by our teachers to prepare lessons and teach other missionary couples in our training. It is wonderful to teach and be invited by others to come unto Christ.
This evening we saw a video of Elder Bednar's talk to the missionaries at the MTC on Sunday, Christmas Day, a few years ago. He spoke of the character of Christ and becoming more like him by following his example and looking outward to serve others. It was very inspiring.
MTC Training
We were organized into districts with a district leader. We had 4 couples in our district. Our classes started at 8:00 AM and ended about 4:30 PM each day. We ate in the cafeteria with the young missionaries and had wonderful conversations with them. They were all very respectful of the seniors. They would open doors, acknowledge us with a smile and often share a greeting in the language they were studying. They always allowed us to move to the front of the long lines. We had teachers in the morning and a different teacher in the afternoon. They were young returned missionaries that were now BYU students. They were all very gracious, energetic and inspiring in their training. We met as a group of senior missionaries for preliminary directions and then as a district for most of our other training. We had some of our training in the new MTC buildings.
This picture was taken during the MTC Open House in July. We met in these buildings for a few meetings. The beautiful mural paintings hang in the far building, two paintings on each floor.
Flags from every country where missionaries serve are rotated and flown.
Some of the grand kids on the MTC tour picked a place where they would like to serve.
Sons of Mosiah depart after talking with our grandsons.
Classroom Training With Our District
More training, but today we got trained in technology on the Church apps. Cool stuff!
Group Pictures of the Senior Missionaries
Grandma has a blue top on and I am right behind her.
Murals in the New MTC Buildings
The new MTC buildings are beautiful. They have floor to ceiling windows to let in light and have clear views of the mountains, sky, valley and campus. Two beautiful murals are on each of the six levels of the new building on the west. Here are pictures of the murals. They are back-lit and about 25-30 feet long and 10 feet high.
I Nephi 4:6, And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.
Esther 4:14, "...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
Brother of Jared moltens stones for the Lord to touch to provide light for the vessels.
Joseph in Liberty Jail
Martha
Paul on the road to Damascus
The Prophet Joseph Smith
Final Thoughts
We were inspired by our fellow missionaries, our trainers, the MTC leadership and of course the Spirit. The time together with the couples was therapeutic and comforting. The instructors were fun, but focused and always kind and generous in every way. As senior missionaries, we all have made sacrifices to serve... it is really a matter of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that has brought us here. We have been given some basic principles and a bit of technology training that have prepared us to effectively share our testimony of the basic doctrines of the Gospel. We have taught several times and each time was a positive experience that invited us to learn more and do a little better. It was fun and challenging, but comforting to know that we can do what we have been called to do.
We love the Lord Jesus Christ and want to serve him through serving others, especially the poor and needy. We are excited to prepare by reviewing the Welfare principles so we can serve the Lord's way. Our humanitarian assignment will be challenging in many ways, but it will be rewarding to us and all those we serve and work with in so many more ways.
We will send our next posting from Frankfurt, Germany.
We love you.
Auf Wiedersehen
Elder and sister Lindsay we love you and are grateful for your excitement and testimony. I love that they have the Young BYU students teaching and training the seasoned Veterans of the Gospel in Heavenly father's Church. What a testimony of the truthfulness of this work. The Manila 7th Ward loves you.
ReplyDeleteE/S Lindsay - We have read many mission blogs - including our own - and I must say that your's is one of the best. Not only do you share great photos but your comments are uplifting while being informative. We look forward to following your latest adventure as you serve in Germany. May the Lord continue to bless you!
ReplyDelete