Here are the highlights of our second training week.
We met with the same group everyday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm in the computer lab in building 18M of the Missionary Training Center. All of these Sr. Missionaries were in last weeks large group training but not in our small group, so we had "get to know you" time for the new group; where are you from, where are you going on your mission, how long are you serving ( we can choose 6, 12, 18, or 23 month missions), what type of mission, tell us about your family etc.
There were 9 of us in mission office/housing training class and during introductions, one couple said they were from Kalispell, Montana but that she had grown up in Alberta Canada. I asked where in Alberta and she answered Lethbridge. About that time, Lee said "I grew up in the next town over, Ft Macleod" and then her husband, Warren Tolley said, " I grew up in Ft Macleod too!" After establishing facts about the Tolley and Sheffield families, every break was spent reminiscing.....and it was fun to hear Lee's old familiar childhood stories as well as stories that were new to me from the Tolley perspective and memory. We made new friends who will be serving as housing missionaries (negotiating , securing, furnishing) in Sweden, where Warren served 37 years ago as a young missionary.
We met with the same group everyday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm in the computer lab in building 18M of the Missionary Training Center. All of these Sr. Missionaries were in last weeks large group training but not in our small group, so we had "get to know you" time for the new group; where are you from, where are you going on your mission, how long are you serving ( we can choose 6, 12, 18, or 23 month missions), what type of mission, tell us about your family etc.
There were 9 of us in mission office/housing training class and during introductions, one couple said they were from Kalispell, Montana but that she had grown up in Alberta Canada. I asked where in Alberta and she answered Lethbridge. About that time, Lee said "I grew up in the next town over, Ft Macleod" and then her husband, Warren Tolley said, " I grew up in Ft Macleod too!" After establishing facts about the Tolley and Sheffield families, every break was spent reminiscing.....and it was fun to hear Lee's old familiar childhood stories as well as stories that were new to me from the Tolley perspective and memory. We made new friends who will be serving as housing missionaries (negotiating , securing, furnishing) in Sweden, where Warren served 37 years ago as a young missionary.
The Tolleys
Other destinations in our group were France, Russia, Fiji.
Our instructors, Brother Free, Brother Chauncey, and Sister Fairbanks taught: excel, outlook, Word, IMOS ( which is the church Internet operations system) creating newsletters, setting up vendors, payments to and from vendors, opening and closing houses, how to record baptisms, how to make computer changes in companion ships, zones, and districts, letters of several types, etc. Some items were familiar and some things were totally new and challenging. Our teachers were young return missionaries who showed us nothing but kindness and patience as they shared their knowledge and expertise.
Our instructors, Brother Free, Brother Chauncey, and Sister Fairbanks taught: excel, outlook, Word, IMOS ( which is the church Internet operations system) creating newsletters, setting up vendors, payments to and from vendors, opening and closing houses, how to record baptisms, how to make computer changes in companion ships, zones, and districts, letters of several types, etc. Some items were familiar and some things were totally new and challenging. Our teachers were young return missionaries who showed us nothing but kindness and patience as they shared their knowledge and expertise.
Our group, minus one
Two of our trainers
Tuesday night was the weekly MTC devotional. It has to be held at the
BYU Marriott center because of the influx of new missionaries since
President Monson's announcement in October, 2012, changing the minimum
age requirements for young missionaries. We sat in the audience of
nearly 4000 missionaries, men and women, both young and senior. It was
exhilarating to see, feel, and to participate.
The special guest speakers were Richard Hinckley and his wife, Jane. She spoke on following the promptings of the Spirit and gave some examples from church history.
Brother Hinckley shared that there are now 403 missions in the world, with 58 NEW missions, due to the reason mentioned above. There are better tools and support than ever before. The Preach My Gospel manual is second only to the scriptures in value for teaching. Cell phones and texting are now allowed with regulation and they are testing the use of Internet and iPads to keep in contact with investigators. Technology is advancing in missionary work BUT no technology can replace dedicated missionaries armed with the Spirit. We feel very blessed to be part of this historical era.
The special guest speakers were Richard Hinckley and his wife, Jane. She spoke on following the promptings of the Spirit and gave some examples from church history.
Brother Hinckley shared that there are now 403 missions in the world, with 58 NEW missions, due to the reason mentioned above. There are better tools and support than ever before. The Preach My Gospel manual is second only to the scriptures in value for teaching. Cell phones and texting are now allowed with regulation and they are testing the use of Internet and iPads to keep in contact with investigators. Technology is advancing in missionary work BUT no technology can replace dedicated missionaries armed with the Spirit. We feel very blessed to be part of this historical era.
Brother Hinckley then gave advice to the missionary group, as taken from scripture:
-You have been set apart! Have not the spirit of fear!
-We were reminded of our faithful heritage of early pioneers in the church, and suggested we should BE TOUGH ( it was hard, bad weather, no food, walking from place to place, rejection, and having to do the same thing all over again tomorrow).
-leave worldly things behind such as movies, tv, tweets, pop music etc.
-avoid profane language, be dignified and of good speech.
Additional instruction from Brother Hinckley included:
-Respect your Mission President and "be easy to be entreated."
-Respect the Bishop of the wards you serve.
-Learn the doctrine and the nature of God
-Bear testimony
-Work with ward mission leaders and plan simple and sweet baptism services.
-Keep up your area books.
-Love the people, show sincere interest in their culture and history etc ( we demonstrate our love for God by loving his people.)
-Use the Book Of Mormon
The volunteer MTC choir singing
" Nearer My God To Thee" was deeply touching and uniting. ( such talent !!)
Afterward, for only the third time ever, a large group picture was taken of all the 4000 missionaries at the devotional and we hope to be able to get a copy in the future.
-Respect the Bishop of the wards you serve.
-Learn the doctrine and the nature of God
-Bear testimony
-Work with ward mission leaders and plan simple and sweet baptism services.
-Keep up your area books.
-Love the people, show sincere interest in their culture and history etc ( we demonstrate our love for God by loving his people.)
-Use the Book Of Mormon
The volunteer MTC choir singing
" Nearer My God To Thee" was deeply touching and uniting. ( such talent !!)
Afterward, for only the third time ever, a large group picture was taken of all the 4000 missionaries at the devotional and we hope to be able to get a copy in the future.
Wednesday, the volunteer speakers were Senior return missionaries Brother and Sister Hawkes.
They encouraged us to use our individual talents to bless and serve in the wards and with other missionaries, no matter where in the world we are headed. Inviting missionaries and investigators to dinner often and mending and repairing suits at zone conferences were just a couple of examples of them using their talents.
They encouraged us to use our individual talents to bless and serve in the wards and with other missionaries, no matter where in the world we are headed. Inviting missionaries and investigators to dinner often and mending and repairing suits at zone conferences were just a couple of examples of them using their talents.
They
suggested we adopt the Home Depot motto: "YOU CAN DO IT, WE CAN HELP"
when working in the mission office and with wards, which is similar to
this idea: "Give
a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you
feed him for a lifetime." There are of course, other applications of
this wise counsel.
We very much enjoyed the Hawkes presentation and felt uplifted and encouraged.
What in the world could Brother Foutin have to say that would take
four hours on the subject of mission VEHICLES? Thursday morning we
wondered that very thing and found out more than we ever imagined!! The
topic was very informative and interesting and the four hours flew by!!
Highlights from his presentation:
-The LDS church is the 6th largest private fleet in size.
-Don't just tell them to change the oil.....Teach whys and hows to young missionaries.
-Stay anchored to APPROVED programs. There is total personal and church safety when you do.
-Represent the Church well in everything.
-"Be wise" Jacob 6:12. Discussion followed on being WISE....and it was defined as 'righteous application of knowledge.'
-"ALL THINGS are spiritual" D&C 29: 34 including mission offices and mission vehicles.
-Teach negative things in a positive way and he then demonstrated how.
We
discussed at length the following three principles with regard to
mission vehicles and young missionaries we will encounter. Any mission
problems that arise will be a result of ignoring them.
Attitude
Obedience
Accountability (return and report)
We
learned things we wish we had known as young parents in this segment.
Brother Foutin shared examples and stories from many years working in
the Global Fleet Division of the church. We loved this training!!
After
lunch Thursday afternoon, we reconvened for a testimony meeting that
was totally wonderful! The remainder of the training time was spent on
simulations of things we had learned previously during the week. Lee and
I settled up and checked out at lunch time, so were free to leave when
simulations were completed.
Our kids wanted a picture in front of THE map...one of us pointing to Utah, the other to Australia.
Speaking of Australia...
Good News!! We got our Visas Thursday afternoon and had the option
to fly that night or wait until Monday. We chose to come home, rest,
organize, and leave Monday, July 22 at 8:30 PM to fly to LA, then to
Sydney, arriving in Adelaide, Australia Wednesday at 12:45 PM. It's
going to be a looooooooonnnnnnng day, but we are ready and anxious to
get started!
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