At the MTC

This is Sister Samul Elias, the sister missionary from Jordan. We see her a couple of times a day and she always greets us with a big smile.

Group picture of our District with our teacher Bro. Meyer. He is awesome! Our District Leader is Elder Dahlstrom (back row, 2nd from the left) He's a great guy and lots of fun! Sister Willoughby (front row) is a cousin - a Lovell from the Oak City Lovell's.

What an amazing experience the MTC is. The friendships we have formed the very first day will be long lasting. A new program for teaching “Preach My Gospel” is being introduced for the first time this week to the couple missionaries. As we learn each lesson we then have the opportunity to practice teaching to another couple. It is quite comforting to know that even those with PhD’s and/or on their 2nd or 3rd mission, are just as nervous as we are and have the same struggles we have. The scariest part (and a very new part of the program) is when people from outside the MTC volunteer to come as investigators with all kinds of backgrounds. I must say they are very good. We were lucky with both of our investigators - what missionaries call “golden contacts”. As much as we dislike roleplaying, we found it an enriching experience (after it was over). Our teachers are returned missionaries and we find most of them are excellent teachers. They still have that missionary zeal about them.

The food is wonderful (easy to eat too much). Luckily we are on the 3rd floor - no elevator - so we get alot of walking and stair climbing! The young elders helped take luggage to our rooms. It was an awesome sight to see alot of young men in white shirts in a long line across the sidewalk walking toward us coming to our rescue. They (elders & sisters) treat us very well, holding open the doors, letting us cut in line, taking away our empty trays and always greet us with a smile and a “hello” in many languages. It’s impressive as they’re standing in the hall, or walking down the sidewalk carrying on a gospel discussion and teaching each other.

Each night we are mentally tired. We’re grateful that we’re not learning another language as they have 2 hour classes after dinner. We’re done after dinner except for the one devotional Tuesday night which was awesome. To sit in a gymnasium full of missionaries and hear them sing with all their heart is an experience that cannot be described adequately.

Friday is our last day, Saturday we head out for the long ride to South Carolina.