Friday, July 13, 2012

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature.

Our first week at the MTC is over and we both survived, although we came home each night very tired.  We decided to not stay overnights at the MTC since we live so close.  I'm glad we did it that way because it gave us some private time to unwind from the day's teaching/learning activities.  Also, we continue to get things ready to leave for Redding on Thursday. 

Monday was "check in," "Welcome by the President of the MTC," "Overview of Training," and then "Organization of Districts."  Just your basic getting there and getting organized. 

From Tuesday on, we started each day with all the Sr. Missionary Couples meeting for large group instruction and watched videos of Devotionals and Firesides given by General Authorities on such topics as "How to Begin Teaching," "The Role of the Spirit in Conversion and Extending Invitations," "Teach People Not Lessons," "Helping Others Receive Revelation Through the Book of Mormon," and "Working With Stake and Local Leaders." 

After the large group meetings, we broke into "Districts" (there were 5 couples in our District) and went to our very small classroom (#241) where a young returned missionary would instruct us for the next several hours, continuing the theme of the morning group instruction meeting.  We did lots of "role playing" as we each took turns being the missionary or an investigator.  Although our specific assignment is to teach Institute classes to young single adults and we won't be actively proselyting, we realize the lessons learned this week will help us in our work as well. 

The main thing we learned this week - this mission is a joint effort.  During our classroom instruction we were taught techniques on how to begin teaching, using the Spirit to guide us, and asking investigators to make a commitment to read a little of the Book of Mormon.  Then we had to prepare lesson plans using those techniques.  It was comfortable working together and we found we really could count on each other for support, guidance and unconditional love. 

There are volunteers - members and non-members - from the local communities who come to the MTC to role play the parts of non-members and less active members.  I was most stressed when we had to practice our skills with these volunteers.  We stood outside a door, knocked and the "home onwer" would let us in.  From that point on we were to rely on the Spirit to guide us.  We were suppose to get to know the person(s) "living" at this "residence" and eventually ask if he/she (they) would like us to come back another time as a follow-up appointment.  Our lessons, including the "getting to know you" period, were 45 minutes. 

We ate lunch each day in the cafeteria with all the other young Elders and Sisters and Sr. Missionary Couples.  What an amazing event that was.  Four different entrees were offered each day; over 3,000 missionaries fed; and everyone was done and back to class by 1 p.m.  And the food wasn't awful.  Wednesday was "Ice Cream Day" and we could have all the home-made BYU ice cream we wanted.  I controlled myself and only had 1 bowl.  It was wonderful. 

That's it for this week.  We start specific CES (Church Education System) training Monday and will be done with that on Wednesday.  We hope to pull out of the driveway in Santaquin Thursday morning sometime around 9 a.m.