Did we mention that ours is the largest group of senior missionaries ever? 88 of us!
On Thursday we had teaching scenarios getting to know our contacts and then teaching the Plan of Salvation as appropriate. We then spent most of Thursday and Friday role playing as less active members and missionaries. It was a great experience and our trainers were really nice and supportive. I am pretty sure they are told they can't say anything negative to us! In fact that must be true throughout the MTC because even our language tutors tell us we are doing great even when we can't come up with a single word we need!
The Trees told their story of the several missions they have served, some of them with what I would consider severe hardship. It was inspiring to listen to how they overcame some very difficult situations. In fact we have met others who had served in very challenging missions who are back to go again--the word seems overused, but again, it is INSPIRING!
In our last group meeting with everyone I led the music---Of course it was Called to Serve--it means so much more to me now.
Friday night was amazing! All of us learning a foreign language had the opportunity to bear our testimonies in our new language. It was a very spiritual meeting and I was awed at those learning eastern languages with their unfamiliar sounds, but the spirit was so strong you felt their testimony.
Yesterday was our prep day so we did our laundry and then took some things to Daph and Tom's house to store. They were in the midst of a project so we stuck around for a while and Sam helped them add a shelf to the laundry room.
On Sunday, today, because we are not staying in the MTC but are at Jason's house, we went to Herriman to church with Amy so we could help with the kids because Ben is in China for work.Amy fed us a great lunch and we will be going to Zach and Emily's for dinner. It seems we won't be losing any weight on this schedule!
Starting Monday Catherine goes to SLC to the church admin building for training as the mission nurse and Sam heads to Provo for Office training. We will still have language training in the afternoon.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Day Three MTC
I guess they are all going to be long days! In spite of that, we are enjoying the experience. Today we had our first teaching to a "volunteer" non-member. The new program focuses on teaching people, not lessons, so the first 15 minutes is getting to know you. That part went well and helped calm us down for the teaching. Despite all our years in the gospel we were both terrified we would forget something important in the lesson but it went pretty well. We DID forget to start our teaching with prayer but we did end with one.
Our day was taken up in learning the next lesson and then from 6-8 we had volunteers come in to have conversations with us in German. It was pretty realistic because most Germans know a lot more English than we do German so we asked a lot of Wie sact mann? (How do I say) and they of course could tell us. We had a scenario of someone new at church, one of a member at church and one at a Young Adult activity. Sam and I both thought these exercises were really difficult but great learning experiences. I am learning that when you don't know many words you better just ask questions!!!
Tomorrow will be much of the same. We love the people in our district and our teachers. They are each different and bring something special to the experience.
So far we aren't to crazy about the food but WEDNESDAY IS ICE CREAM DAY and you can't complain about BYU ice cream!
We miss you all: Jason and family--Thanks for following the blog! We love you all so much!
Our day was taken up in learning the next lesson and then from 6-8 we had volunteers come in to have conversations with us in German. It was pretty realistic because most Germans know a lot more English than we do German so we asked a lot of Wie sact mann? (How do I say) and they of course could tell us. We had a scenario of someone new at church, one of a member at church and one at a Young Adult activity. Sam and I both thought these exercises were really difficult but great learning experiences. I am learning that when you don't know many words you better just ask questions!!!
Tomorrow will be much of the same. We love the people in our district and our teachers. They are each different and bring something special to the experience.
So far we aren't to crazy about the food but WEDNESDAY IS ICE CREAM DAY and you can't complain about BYU ice cream!
We miss you all: Jason and family--Thanks for following the blog! We love you all so much!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Day two MTC
I have to admit I was dreading a day that started at 7 am and went to 8pm. We started out and spent most of the day learning "Preach My Gospel". All these years of teaching and I was completely intimidated! Sam was much more willing to jump in but it took me til the afternoon session to start getting into it. I am not sure how much has changed since our children served, but the focus is very different from what we have seen in our past experiences working with missionaries. It is so focused on the person or family you are teaching and I am sure that it is much more effective, but it requires that you really get to know the people you are teaching, and, well, I am just not that outgoing and not that good at conversation, so it is scary.
Tomorrow we have to teach as a companionship about the restoration--30-40 minutes worth--to a volunteer--and they will give us feedback---I just hope I remember enough of what I need to say that they CAN do an evaluation!
We have met some wonderful couples. One of them will be in Frankfurt and they will be developing a family support (phone and internet) for members of the church in the former East Germany who need help with addiction, family problems etc. Apparently in that area the priesthood are mostly 19 and 20 year olds so they don't have a support system there. They are Brother and Sister Wells and we love them!
We also had a devotional tonight and it was given by Dennis E. Simmons who is a 70 and apparently is just released as the mission(?) at temple square in the genealogy area so I assume Daphne's husband, Tom knows him. His talk was just what new missionaries need to hear! He talked about how it is miserable and wonderful it is all at once and that is exactly what I am feeling. I kept thinking about what it must have been like for our own children in the MTC and makes me wish I had served when I was younger so I could have helped them better.
Along with talking about the missionary experience, he talked about the need to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost--the active part we must take in gaining that great gift. He said that when he was a mission president and speaking to the missionaries he would take out a $5 bill and invite a missionary to take it--of course they didn't--but as he continued his talk he would occasionally look at the missionary and ask, Do you want this? After asking several times the Elder would finally say yes, and then he would reply, you have to come and receive it--clearly making the point that it is not enough to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost OFFERED to you, but YOU must RECEIVE it!
All in all, a wonderful day. we miss our family and know they will miss us. We appreciate so much the support they have all given us. It is thinking of of our children who all had this experience that gives us strength. Thank you to Jason, Daphne, Ben and Zach and their spouses who also served, Gaylee, Amy and Tom: The tables have turned. we are following in your footsteps!
Tomorrow we have to teach as a companionship about the restoration--30-40 minutes worth--to a volunteer--and they will give us feedback---I just hope I remember enough of what I need to say that they CAN do an evaluation!
We have met some wonderful couples. One of them will be in Frankfurt and they will be developing a family support (phone and internet) for members of the church in the former East Germany who need help with addiction, family problems etc. Apparently in that area the priesthood are mostly 19 and 20 year olds so they don't have a support system there. They are Brother and Sister Wells and we love them!
We also had a devotional tonight and it was given by Dennis E. Simmons who is a 70 and apparently is just released as the mission(?) at temple square in the genealogy area so I assume Daphne's husband, Tom knows him. His talk was just what new missionaries need to hear! He talked about how it is miserable and wonderful it is all at once and that is exactly what I am feeling. I kept thinking about what it must have been like for our own children in the MTC and makes me wish I had served when I was younger so I could have helped them better.
Along with talking about the missionary experience, he talked about the need to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost--the active part we must take in gaining that great gift. He said that when he was a mission president and speaking to the missionaries he would take out a $5 bill and invite a missionary to take it--of course they didn't--but as he continued his talk he would occasionally look at the missionary and ask, Do you want this? After asking several times the Elder would finally say yes, and then he would reply, you have to come and receive it--clearly making the point that it is not enough to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost OFFERED to you, but YOU must RECEIVE it!
All in all, a wonderful day. we miss our family and know they will miss us. We appreciate so much the support they have all given us. It is thinking of of our children who all had this experience that gives us strength. Thank you to Jason, Daphne, Ben and Zach and their spouses who also served, Gaylee, Amy and Tom: The tables have turned. we are following in your footsteps!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Day One MTC 25 July 2011
Our first day at the MTC was complete with tears of saying goodbye to loved ones and butterflies like litttle kindergarteners going to the first day of school. There were 88 senior missionary who began today, both couples and single sisters. It was the most Senior Missionaries they've ever had. They are on their way to Burma, The Philipines, Cambodia, South America and other exotic places like Washington DC, Manhattan, and Florida. At least a third were doing temple missions, about 4 couples doing medical and quite a few were welfare missionaries. Many veteran couples were going on their 3rd and 4th missions. It was humbling to see so many faithful, dedicated brothers and sisters willing to give everything to their Father in Heaven. It made me realize that we are only two of many who will serve the Lord.
In the morning one of the missionaries played a beautiful rendition of " Come Ye Children of the Lord'. I thought it was so amazing that in the MTC you can use ALL of your talents in some way. I immediately started thinking about how wonderful it would be if on some future senior mission one of my own grandchildren would honor the seniors by playing or singing for the seniors with Sam and I in the audience!
And yes, we survived the MTC cafeteria!!!!
In the morning one of the missionaries played a beautiful rendition of " Come Ye Children of the Lord'. I thought it was so amazing that in the MTC you can use ALL of your talents in some way. I immediately started thinking about how wonderful it would be if on some future senior mission one of my own grandchildren would honor the seniors by playing or singing for the seniors with Sam and I in the audience!
And yes, we survived the MTC cafeteria!!!!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Setting Apart
Tonight at 5 pm on the 24th of July (Pioneer Day) we were set apart by President Trantor. He gave us beautiful blessings that will help us to serve the Lord on our mission. All of our family with the exception of Jason's family still in Brazil were there. Daphne provided dinner for us at her house afterward where we were able to say our goodbyes. I get a little tear thinking about how much we will miss our children and grandchildren, but we know this is the example we want to set for them. I just hope we all get the SKYPE going!
Blessings and more blessings
It seems that every time we turn around there is another miracle. The first person that looked at the car we wanted to sell bought it. The first person to look at the house leased it. Things we have needed appeared and we had lots of help and support from family and friends.
After moving out of our home, we moved into Jason's home for the MTC experience.
On Wed the 20th, five days before we were to enter the MTC, I (Catherine) stepped off a curb (ok, it would probably be more accurate to say I TUMBLED off the curb and Sam said I actually somersaulted. I don't know about that but I do know that I landed on my right ankle--ie my BODY landed on it. the other foot had folded under me as well so I was pretty bruised up with some noticeable pain in both ankles and especially over the right ankle bone--weird for me because I usually get hurt on the left. After trying to tough it out for a few hours I realized an x-ray was in order, and sure enough the ankle bone was broken so they sent me home with a boot and pain pills. Problem!!! because the ankle bone protrudes and my feet were very swollen, I couldn't really use the boot. I was thinking this might delay the mission and so I called the MTC and found that they do have wheel chairs, so I was feeling a little better about things.
However, the next day the swelling was still quite bad despite the RICE routine and I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor downstairs waking up frequently because of discomfort despite medications. So Sam called Ben and asked him to come over and help give me a blessing. Ben gave the blessing and the spirit was strong in the room. The blessing was conservative saying the healing would take time but all would go as it should. At this point I was still having trouble doing any more than wrapping the ankles with ace bandages because of the swelling and it was very painful to move at all. But Friday morning I woke up to feet that were not swollen and I was not in much discomfort. I was able to not only wrap my feet but was able to wear the boot on the right foot with the broken bone and a regular shoe on the left---nothing less than miraculous! The Lord must want us to go!
After moving out of our home, we moved into Jason's home for the MTC experience.
On Wed the 20th, five days before we were to enter the MTC, I (Catherine) stepped off a curb (ok, it would probably be more accurate to say I TUMBLED off the curb and Sam said I actually somersaulted. I don't know about that but I do know that I landed on my right ankle--ie my BODY landed on it. the other foot had folded under me as well so I was pretty bruised up with some noticeable pain in both ankles and especially over the right ankle bone--weird for me because I usually get hurt on the left. After trying to tough it out for a few hours I realized an x-ray was in order, and sure enough the ankle bone was broken so they sent me home with a boot and pain pills. Problem!!! because the ankle bone protrudes and my feet were very swollen, I couldn't really use the boot. I was thinking this might delay the mission and so I called the MTC and found that they do have wheel chairs, so I was feeling a little better about things.
However, the next day the swelling was still quite bad despite the RICE routine and I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor downstairs waking up frequently because of discomfort despite medications. So Sam called Ben and asked him to come over and help give me a blessing. Ben gave the blessing and the spirit was strong in the room. The blessing was conservative saying the healing would take time but all would go as it should. At this point I was still having trouble doing any more than wrapping the ankles with ace bandages because of the swelling and it was very painful to move at all. But Friday morning I woke up to feet that were not swollen and I was not in much discomfort. I was able to not only wrap my feet but was able to wear the boot on the right foot with the broken bone and a regular shoe on the left---nothing less than miraculous! The Lord must want us to go!
Farewell
Our son Jason and his family had a planned 6 week trip to Brazil to show their children their mission and meet with mission companions as well as vacationing. Jason is a great trip planner always including a lot of fun with other experiences. We had wanted to go with them but we received our call so we did not go to Brazil with them but we did have our farewell early so they could be there.
Sam spoke on patriotism and I spoke on the constitution because it was just before the 4th of July. Interesting topics but we learned a lot preparing. Barb Mandleco, Jane Lassetter and Pat Rushton from my work came and Bill Wegener from Sam's came. My sister came up from Arizona and was an amazing help not to mention just so great to see and hang out with my sis!
After our "non-farewell" we invited all over for German food. We had made Saurbrauten and spaetzle and then bought potato salad, brotwurst and other amazing things. Our daughter-in law Emily made an amazing Black Forest Cake and I made Apple strudel. The food disappeared!
That evening Catherine had to go to a conference to help a student collect data. The student, Heidi was awesome and got all of her interviews!
Sam spoke on patriotism and I spoke on the constitution because it was just before the 4th of July. Interesting topics but we learned a lot preparing. Barb Mandleco, Jane Lassetter and Pat Rushton from my work came and Bill Wegener from Sam's came. My sister came up from Arizona and was an amazing help not to mention just so great to see and hang out with my sis!
After our "non-farewell" we invited all over for German food. We had made Saurbrauten and spaetzle and then bought potato salad, brotwurst and other amazing things. Our daughter-in law Emily made an amazing Black Forest Cake and I made Apple strudel. The food disappeared!
That evening Catherine had to go to a conference to help a student collect data. The student, Heidi was awesome and got all of her interviews!
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