September 2015

It's been one month since we entered the MTC.  What a month it's been!  Filled with so many experiences that it's difficult to prioritize which ones to share.  Perhaps we should start where we started, at the Missionary Training Center (MTC), Prove Utah.

We have a dear cousin who described the MTC as being a Holy place.  We think this best describes both the function and feeling of this very special school of instruction.  When entering the MTC all senior missionaries are asked to participate in one week of training from the "Preach My Gospel" (PMG) handbook.  It was a wonderful week of being instructed by young recently returned missionaries who served in all parts of the world.  The spirit they brought to the instruction and wisdom is far beyond their years, it really was something very special.  In each of our individual groups were a few senior missionaries who had served previous missions as couples.  Each had gone through this first week of PMG training for each of their previous missions, each mentioned how the PMG instruction each time was so special and helpful in terms of the preparation of starting a new senior mission,

In addition to the PMG training we also had 3 days of training by Church Education System (CES) instructors specific to our mission calling as Institute and Young Single Adult (YSA) missionaries. This was a rare opportunity to be trained by professional instructors who work everyday with the 20 somethings in the Church.  We valued this time to have such focused instruction on our assignment. In general, most of our activities in the MTC were apart from the young Elders and Sisters. The two times we were together was during the meal breaks and in the devotionals.  We were at the MTC for 10 days and we never got use to the special feeling of experiencing the combined strength of this army of young volunteers in their white shirts and attractive apparel gathered in one location.  One special memory is the first devotional we attended.  We seniors were seated toward the front of the giant assembly hall.  As we began the opening hymn, "Called To Serve", we turned to see sitting behind us 2,200+ young Elders and Sisters all joined together in song and purpose.  That night Elder and Sister Oaks spoke.  It will forever be a special memory and a highlight of the beginning of our mission.

Our journey eastward began immediately after our last MTC session, Wednesday September 9.   It took us four days to drive from Provo to Monmouth Junction New Jersey.  Upon arrival we were met by a wonderful senior couple serving the Spanish speaking YSA in our same area, Reed and Sheryl Hancock from Tucson Arizona.  They have been serving for 18 months and have quickly become eternal friends.  It's been a real blessing to be guided by such a sweet loving couple.  They have been there for our every need from finding the best grocery stores to helping navigate the Stake YSA organizations.  We will be forever grateful for  their help and friendship.

The time since our arrival has been a whirlwind.  We've been asked to work with 3 different institute classes and participate as Member Leadership Support (MLS) in the YSA branch.  The youth we've met are from all walks of life, social circumstances and many countries.  All attending Institute of their own choice and at significant sacrifice for some. Transportation and resources seem to be an ever present challenge for most. Many are returned missionaries, some are recent immigrants still struggling with English as their second language.  All are working hard to be valiant in their testimonies and purpose.  If you're familiar with New Jersey, our Institutes are located in the areas of Eatontown, Princeton and Maplewood.  Our YSA Branch is in East Brunswick.  Thank goodness for Costco gas (and cookies for treats)!

We have so many young people all with their own stories, all trying so very hard to do what's right. One such person is Isobel.  Isobel joined the Church four months ago.  She first heard about it from watching "South Park".  She recently told us that she was raised Catholic but had been "curious" about other religions.  When she saw repeated mentions of the Church in this cartoon series it sparked her curiosity.  One day when she and her boyfriend (not a member) were walking in NYC they were talking about religion when they happened to be passing the Manhattan Temple.  Without hesitation they walked through the front doors of the temple and asked if someone could tell them about the Church.  She was warmly greeted and quickly found someone who was generous with their time and interest.  She left the temple that day with a Book of Mormon in hand and the expectation that missionaries would be following up.  This past Saturday she returned to this same temple, this time to do baptisms for the dead.  Isobel's mother is from the Dominican Republic and her father is from Romania. They are both Catholic but support her in her decision to be a "Mormon".  Just recently Isobel was given a Romanian copy of the Book of Mormon by one of our YSA who served a mission in that area.  Her dad is now reading it and showing an increased interest in his daughter's new happiness and friends.  Last time we spoke with Isobel she told us she wanted to have us over for dinner so we could meet her parents.  We're praying that will happen.  It's amazing to us how quickly we are falling in love with these young people.  We feel so blessed to be in their lives.

Our mission president and his wife are from Utah, President Paul & Jane Taggert, Cottonwood Stake. We also are blessed with a wonderful CES Coordinator, David Bean.  Brother Bean was born in Oregon with many family members still in the Oregon City area.  An exceptional instructor with a strong testimony.  Every other week we have the opportunity to attend in-service where he will instruct us on the upcoming Old Testament institute lessons.  The insights and learnings we are receiving from Bro Bean is proving to be one of the many blessings of this mission.

We feel so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord.  We recognize every day as a blessing never again to be repeated in quite the same way.  Our constant prayer is that we can be blessed with the ability to discern the needs of our youth, be an ever present example of a happy eternal marriage and have the spirit with us in our teaching.  We love the Lord and feel so blessed to be able to serve him through these very dedicated young people.