Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Today was our first full day of training from Preach My Gospel.  We both slept better last night.  We enjoyed the training presented by returned missionaries who were very enthusiastic about teaching us.  The program was introduced by Elder Chin. Sister Ricks taught us in the morning and Elder Hyde taught us in the afternoon. Sister Ricks is from Midvale, Utah which is my home town. I knew her grandfather 50 years ago. Elder Gubler from Santa Clara was also an instructor, but he taught another district. I do not sense any fear to teach among our district missionaries, but there is angst about being effective in our assignment to teach an investigator tomorrow. I believe that all will do well and the Spirit will testify to the investigator. Sister Ricks asked if we knew who the first Prophet was to go through the MTC. There were several guesses, all of them wrong. She then told us that Moses was the first Prophet to go through the empty sea. Yuck Yuck LOL!

I forgot to mention yesterday that we have two single sister missionaries in our group. One of them, Sister Farnsworth, had not been set apart and in the introduction yesterday by Elder Trost, one of the counselors in the MTC Mission Presidency, he said that he had set her apart.  He said, he told her that her husband, who had passed away three years ago, was present during the setting apart and would be with her during her mission.  He said angels were here to assist, both those who worked here and those from the other side of the veil. He said miracles still occur today.

We met so many wonderful people going so many interesting places.  It is quite nice being with people of similar ages with similar challenges that go along with age and seeing them full of life and joy in anticipation of serving the Lord.  One of those we met were Elder and Sister Maynes, a previous principal of the Pine View Seminary from 1990 to 1995.  He said he knew Patriarch Payne very well.

Our day finished with a devotional with Bonnie Oscarson, the Young Women's General President being the featured speaker.  The MTC choir sang and it was beautiful.