You have been called to serve in the Pacific Area as communication specialist!
2 months ago we spent a week in SLC training to be communication specialist. We came away from that experience feeling like the church is in great hands! We were very impressed with our mentors (Lyle and Cricket Parry) and all of the communication employees that work at the church headquarters in interfaith relations, public relations, hosting, photography, church newsroom, and publications. What did I miss?
It was a privilege to be set apart for our missions by Pres Walker. Our blessings were beautiful. They gave us spiritual confidence to begin this adventure.
Off to the first day of the MTC. Just like all of our grandkids who went back to school this week. Thank you to Judy and KC for letting us stay at their very comfortable home. It was perfect!
What we have found out is when we tell everyone we are going to New Zealand many of them say, "that is where I wanted to be called." But we have also learned the Lord is in the details for every missionary and every calling.
Lots of study time at the MTC. This is looking out over the MTC while studying Preach My Gospel.
We had two great teachers in the MTC, Sister Garrison and Brother Reeve. Our afternoon teacher was Troy Reeve and he was one of Launette's early morning seminary student. The rolls reversed. Launette ran into class one day just as it was to start and said, "Am I late?! I don't want to be marked tardy." Both of our morning and afternoon teachers were just wonderful! They couldn't have been better. We loved every minute of their PMG instruction, questions, technical training:l, challenges, and roll playing.
This is our district with our morning teacher Sister Garrison. She was great. We came to love every member of our district. Wonderful people with amazing stories about getting on a mission. I am going to take a second and ramble about two miracles I have witnessed here at the MTC.
First--- I stand in awe at the faith and sacrifice many of the senior couples make to go on a mission. Fifty-two couples checked in on the same day we did. In your first meeting they ask you to stand, say where you are from, where you are going and why you came on a mission. Many of the couples recited Elder Rasbands quote.
"As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask you to serve as a missionary in the gathering of Israel and perhaps even serve again. We need you—we need you....I also promise that as you serve, you will feel the love of the Lord in your life, you will know Him, He will know you, and how great shall be your joy. Your dedicated service to Jesus Christ will inspire and bless your family, your grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Peace, and love [will] be multiplied in their lives for years to come. I promise."
So many explained they are on a mission because their children and grandchildren need the blessing. I have been humbled and inspired to see so many who sacrificed so much to come. Some are struggling with health, others struggling with finances, others came because a child has left the church and they have absolute faith in an apostle's promise. I have had a few tears come this week as I recognized the faithfulness of so many.
Second---There is a spirit that is tangible from the time you are set apart as a missionary. To sit with 2,200 missionaries in a devotional and sing "Called to Serve" was just inspiring. You can feel the spirit of the "Gathering of Israel" and recognize the Lord is involved in the details. It is pretty amazing.
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