The MTC

Elder Fred and Sister Jane Hales entered the MTC on Monday, March 14, 2011. We were greeted by our branch President and his wife and 29 other senior couples, many off to Visitors' Centers all over. We were first checked out for immunizations, and travel, and housing. Who would have guessed that we would end up lodging at the Marriott MTC. We had a lovely suite and access to a fitness room that we used regularly after a hard day at the center.

The MTC is a wonderful place full of wonderful people and filled with the Spirit. Our group of Senior Couples was the largest in some time and it was so neat to note that over half were on their second or third mission. About half the men were returned missionaries (as youths). We ate with as many different ones as we could so we could get to know them. What an amazing cross section of the church--all kinds of occupations, church experience and life experiences. Some were going as office couples, some as member leadership support, but most were off to Visitors' Centers. Our group had eleven couples going to Nauvoo, but half were going as Nauvoo Restoration workers--gardners, handymen, welders, heavy equipment operators etc. Two were off to Palmyra, one to Independence, and one Kirtland. Four were going to Cove Fort--one had only been called the Wednesday before! There was such a wonderful spirit in our group--people who truly wanted to serve.

We met so many darling elders and sisters who went out of their way to hold the door or carry our trays. We loved to watch the little groups struggling to speak in a new language to each other--we replied "ola" to many friendly greeting. We were fortunate to run into a few that we knew. We found Elder Scott George from our stake going to Madagasgar, whose mother was the Stake Primary President I worked with. Elder Michael Houghton surprised us at lunch and we were glad to introduce ourselves as "Aunt Jane and Uncle Fred" to his surprised companion. He is on his way to Ogden. Sister Dana Blackburn from Jill's seminary class in Indy was so pleased to see us. The biggest surprise was an Elder Palmer from AZ who said he went to Andersen Junior High and he certainly did know Mr. Hales--he had him for a teacher!!

As last time, we were impressed with the quality of our teachers, especially the young ones like Ben and Jackie. They use the latest and greatest teaching methods, but the real star was "Preach My Gospel". What an amazing book. We were overwhelmed by its clarity and its simple presentation. It spoke with one true voice. We learned so much as we read and reread and prepared lessons. Our morning teacher was Sister Amy Street who asked for our group because she had served in Winter Quarters and knew how much we would love it. Our afternoon teacher was Brother Meyer whom we also loved. When we arrived in class the first day there was a note on our board from Ben. "Welcome the MTC Grandma and Grandad." Our teacher was so impressed she left it up all day.

Our district was made up of four couples: Elder and Sister Laney (he was our District President) from Payson going to Nauvoo. He was an art teacher and just full of enthusiasm and she was a quilter who made fabulous caramels. The Cratythorns, a lovely couple from Syracuse Utah, were off to be Member/Leadership Support missionaries in Moscow, Russia. She was one of the blessed who was learning Russian quite easily. The Gledhills, also a lovely couple, were from Queencreek AZ, near Chris, and he had been an engineer for Motorola and they were off to Cove Fort. We felt most fortunate to have such great enthusiastic, spiritual people in our group.

We worked very hard because we had to teach so often. The first two teaching experiences were to local members who volunteer to play the part of investigators. Our first one was a nice old man who claimed to be an Episcopalian who wanted everything from the Bible. We did okay. But the second time we had a hard core Catholic who didn't let up on us a bit starting with her request for the comparison list of the beliefs of Catholic and Mormons promised by the previous pair of missionaries. We felt we bombed that one, but we learned a lot. Later we taught other couples --one time taking the part of investigators and then missionaries, and then teaching each other about our Visitors' Center. I was impressed with the use of the word "invite" to describe our approach to getting those we teach to make a commitment. We still have a lot to learn, but we felt the Spirit regularly as we studied and taught--the tears flowed regularly among us all.

PDay was Saturday and we had the opportunity to go to the Provo Temple. Such a lovely temple. We were so pleased to find Mariah Wilson, Janet's niece, working there. Sunday dinner was with Tingeys. (Perk of being a Senior Missionary with a car!) Jill brought us a special dinner of corn beef and cabbage in honor of St. Paddy's day, and we enjoyed the company of the Tingeys one last time. Dad said he would choose someone to give the blessing who would not be around long and low and behold, you could have said that about everyone at the table with London, Jerusalem, DC, and Winter Quarters looming!

We loved all the perks of the MTC. The food was plentiful and quite good--we ate far too much. The halls were filled with pictures of missionaries and one special one of Winter Quarters. The Book Store had everything you could want including zip ties, post cards, and lots of treats. The Mail Room next door provided us with letters, and the big surprise--a box of chocolate chip cookies from our whole family and were we proud to share them with the other Senior Couples. Tuesday night was Devotional and we had a great talk from Elder Maynes of the Seventy, and Sunday was Relief Society with Sister Stephens of the Relief Society Board, and Sunday night was the fireside and the MTC Counselor, Dr. McIff taught us how to do special breathing to relieve stress and keep healthy. We loved Sacrament meeting with a small group of Missionaries. My favorite part was still singing "Called to Serve" with all the missionaries at our Devotional. What a spiritual feast is the MTC!