Missionary Training Center

Monday, February 4, 2013, Kathryn came over and ate breakfast with us at Annette’s home. Sharilyn’s lips were still red and sore, so Kathryn called her doctor and he called in a prescription. It was such a blessing, because it took a week for her lips to finally heal. Annette and Kathryn dropped us off at the MTC=Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Our accommodations in Building 2M Room 315 were beautiful and very comfortable

We settled in and went to our first meeting in the Stadium Ave. Chapel. There were 73 (36 couples and one senior sister) senior missionaries entering the MTC that day. What a great experience we had at the MTC. We ate three lovely meals their each day and had training on Preach My Gospel the first week. The Spirit of the Lord was strong as we gathered each day to learn our duty as full time senior couples. David was the District Leader and we had the following couples in our district: Elder and Sister Huff from-Montana going to Utica, NY Member Leadership Support; Elder and Sister Larsen from Portland, OR going to the Philippines Manila Temple; and Elder and Sister Malon-from American Fork, UT going to the Dominican Republic Temple. We also met Elder and Sister Farnsworth from Mesa, AZ going to Argentina. 



Elder and Sister Larsen-Huff-Wilson-Malon with Teache Elder Keddington

Tuesday evening, we attended the 7:00pm Devotional where Elder Don L. Clarke gave an inspirational message on the importance of helping to rescue others who are struggling to stay on the path that leads them back to Heavenly Father.  Elder Clarke is married to Marc Jackson’s aunt Maryanne who couldn’t attend because she was in Arizona helping her daughter with health issues.  What a thrill it was to seat on the ground floor and sing hymns with the missionaries.  It was inspirational to hear all the missionaries sing our favorite hymn was Called to Serve.   They had all the 18 year old Elders and 19-20 year old Sisters stand and it was about a fourth of the audience was.  On Wednesday, the largest ever new group of 829 missionaries arrived.  We could feel their strong desire to serve the Lord with all their heart, might, mind, and strength.  The work of the Lord is hastening.  The young Elders and Sisters are so kind to us.  They race to open our doors and let us go to the front of the food lines in the cafeteria.  It warmed our hearts to see and feel of their kindness.  On Friday, Annette and Kathryn picked us up so we could go shopping at Deseret Industries and Macy’s for boots.  Kathryn actually prepared in advance and had several boots shipped to her home for Sharilyn to try on.  One pair was a perfect fit.  Terry joined us for dinner at Maria Bonita. 

We enjoyed seeing Brandon Hill
at his business The Reef

Saturday morning we went to the Pleasant Grove Community Center and walked on the indoor track with Terry and Dennis Hill, Terry’s father.  It was a beautiful facility for only costs 50 cents per senior.  Terry and Annette took us shopping and Sharilyn found a few pieces of clothing to finish up my missionary wardrobe.  We drove by and visited with Brandon Hill at his business office, The Reef.  We saw the salt water corral and exotic fish he sales and ships to customers everywhere.  Sunday we attended church with the Hills and enjoyed a delicious meal with all of their children.  It is always fun to reconnect with family.  Annette drove us back to the MTC so we could attend the farewell devotional at 5:30 and the regular devotional at 7:00pm.