Our First Day at the MTC

Dave and I arose early and I packed one suitcase for the 5 day stay in Provo. It had taken me a week to pack my winter suitcase for New Zealand but this felt like packing for a week in the hospital with the kids and went fast.  I walked to the fairy house and watered that lovely spot one last time, giving the roses a good drink. It is a charming spot and my happy place. It symbolizes for me the love of Dave and our children for me and even the love of my Heavenly Father, who I sense is happy with the fairy house as well.

I went to Anna’s room to say goodbye. She was tired and didn’t’ seem to want to talk. It is very
hard to leave her.

We said goodbye to Cody and Katie - We left them a messy house to deal with. I was just too tired last night to do the work of straightening it up after so many visited last night. She said they would happily clean it up. I hope Anna helped.

We left home around 7:30 or 7:45 and headed for Provo. We mailed two thank you cards at the Paradise Post office and then set off. It was a beautiful morning, the traffic was good and we arrived early enough in Provo to stop at Seagull book and buy me a Preach My Gospel and a couple shirts. 

The MTC is such an amazingly organized place. They had all the young elders and sisters out greeting the senior missionaries upon arrival - directing traffic and helping in any way. We went into the main building and received our packets and keys then went back outside and drove around by the building where we would be staying. We unloaded the bags and then while I waited by them Dave went to park the car. We had initiation meetings and then had lunch in the cafeteria. There were surely a lot of missionaries there. 

the cafeteria filled with happy hungry missionaries

We then attended a meeting where we were taught by the MTC Presidency. They had each senior couple tell their names, where they were from, where they will be serving and what their assignment is. There are 110 Senior missionaries that reported in today.  Apparently this is a large group and they seemed thrilled about it.  So many missions are desperate for senior missionaries.  

As each couple or single sister told where they will be serving my heart felt like it would burst.  Missionaries dot the earth now.  We were told of 4 sister missionaries going to Turkey.  I've always felt like being in the MTC is like walking through prophesy.  From this place missionaries go out all over the world  taking the message of the gospel and the restoration fulfilling the many prophesies that in the latter days the gospel will be taught and Israel gathered. 

 It was during this time while hearing from each senior couple that I recognized a friend from my childhood - Sherry Beecher Bingham and her husband Mark Bingham. They are going to serve in Chicago where Marks youngest brother is the Mission President.  Mark’s sister Annette is Dave Lillywhites mother. They left the meeting early to go visit her at the Lillywhites house, but before they left we had our picture taken in front of the big map.

Dave and I and Sherry and Mark Bingham

Dave was called as a District Leader. We met as a district and covered a few things. We then went to our rooms where we rested a while before heading to supper and then to a family home evening where we listened to a talk given by Elder David Bednar here at the MTC on Christmas Day a few years ago. It was entitled ‘The Character of Christ’. it was a powerful talk but I had a hard time staying awake. I haven’t felt well today. My throat is sore and my glands are swollen. I have been chilled all day and a little achy. We are now in our room. Dave just gave me a blessing. It is not a good time to be getting sick. 

We are missionaries. I’m so thankful I have Dave as a companion. He gives me courage. It isn’t hard to love my companion. They counseled us today to get along and love our companions thus setting an example for 
the young missionaries here. We won’t have trouble in that department.

We can't believe we are here, walking these halls as missionaries. We are grateful for all those who serve here so cheerfully and happily making our arrival go smoothly. It is a great testimony of the Church to see it function so smoothly. I told one of the women who helped us that it was an amazing thing to watch and she replied, "Yes, the MTC is a well oiled machine." And it is!

We are closing out our first day as missionaries with some scripture PMG study and companionship prayer and hope that all of you will do the same ending the gift of a day with prayer.