MTC - Week 1

Mon Oct 28 – Matt drove us to the MTC this morning.   We said our goodbyes then we were off to go through the registration process. It is very exciting to be back at the MTC again. I have never felt so much enthusiasm or seen so many happy smiling faces as there are here.  As we turned to say goodbye, we saw the Temple looking down upon the MTC.

Matthew drops us off

A missionary helped us with our luggage then willingly took a quick picture of the three of us, which Matt immediately posted on Facebook.

Provo Temple

As soon as the senior couples finished registering, we were diverted to the chapel next door. It was here we met for classes and training for the next 5 days. Our teachers were young excited returned missionaries. And oh my, did they exude the spirit! Each one seemed to be completely familiar with, Preach My Gospel, and each was so proficient in the techniques they were teaching us to do. It was an amazing experience. We found the training to be even better than it was five years. It was more specific or spot on. I think we were given better tools to work with as missionaries.

Tuesday night we went to a devotional in a large auditorium. The entire building was packed with missionaries. There was an all missionary choir of probably 300 youth. The speaker that night was seventy, Carlos Godoy. Elder Godoy related the story of his conversion as a youth. It was a rather remarkable journey for a sixteen year old, longhaired youth. His point was, “Never judge who will accept the gospel. The gospel is for everyone.“ It was an excellent example of what not to do with a new member of the Church.

Pincocks, Sister Clark, Webers, Wielands

            At the MTC, we were divided up into districts. We were with two other couples the Pincocks, heading to Japan and the Wielands, going to the Philippines. We had the opportunity to rub shoulders with many other couples and feel of their wonderful spirits. It was a great experience.

            We had several role training experiences, in which we posed as less active members, investigators or missionaries. I didn’t think I would like it, but I found it to be a fun learning experience and very enlightening. We would do it again and will at District and Zone training meetings.

            During the week, they housed us at the Marriott in downtown Provo. It was a bit out of the way and there was no internet service in our rooms, which made it hard to study our material. And then we didn’t feel good about leaving our computers in the room, so we had to haul them to campus each day. But other than that everything else was great.

            We enjoyed our meals in the cafeteria where we could visit with and enjoy the young Elders and Sisters. There is nothing like it, to see so many missionaries in together in one place.

            I so wish we could be a little fly on the wall to watch Cierra as she has this marvelous experience at the MTC. Have a great experience CC!!!
           On our last day as we walked around we noticed small groups of missionaries eating outside and in speaking with them we found out that this one group was heading to Korea,  6 lovely Sister missionaries all quite confident with their newly learned Korean were talking to us and very excited about their upcoming journey.  Another group were bouncing up and down and so excited to show us where they were going.

Sisters heading to South America and the Canary Islands

Korean Sister Missionaries

            When we finished on Friday afternoon, Matt picked us up and took us back to his place. We were busy all weekend finishing last minute details, shopping, packing, repacking and visiting with family and friends.

            Monday morning our sweet girls, Bonnie and Ali, were up early to fix us a fancy breakfast - waffles with different yummy toppings. Then they hauled us to the airport and helped us inside with all of our massive luggage, four huge suitcases and two carry-ons. I have a picture in my mind of the girls both smiling as we left to go through security. It was hard to turn and walk away.

            We flew out at about 9:50 a.m. The flight was uneventful, just long and very cramped. We arrived at Dublin airport about 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, a bit frumpy, but no worse for wear.

Gramma & Grumpa heading for the Emerald Isle

            On the flight from Atlanta, I sat next to a young Irish woman; we had a nice conversation about her holiday in the states, her boyfriend and Ireland.

            When we arrived we went through a passport check for individuals coming into the country. We walked right through customs without any check, just like we did in England. Brother McKendrick was at the airport to meet us. He took us to his home where we visited with he and his wife for a couple of hours. Then he gave us our car and apartment keys and we were on our way. They wanted us to stay and sleep for a couple of hours, but I knew that wouldn’t work for Gary. Besides, we were both anxious to get to our destination and crash. And so we arrived in Waterford about 12 noon. We brought our luggage in, ate something light then we napped for 4 hours. We were up for a couple of hours, had a little dinner, then went to bed and slept for another 12 hours. It took us most of the next week to get adjusted to the time change.

       We miss all of you already, but we are now on the Lord's errand and must find those He has prepared for us to find and teach and love.  - elder and sister weber-