At the MTC

We were so busy, we hardly had time to breathe! When we did have a minute to catch our breath, this was the view out our window.

There was so much to learn. They told us everything once, with the hope that when we needed it, we could remember it. We practiced teaching lessons to volunteers, and got briefed on health issues and safety and security. We had presentations on working with less-active members, as well as other wonderful talks and firesides. Over meals, we got to know the other missionary couples in our group.

Their stories were amazing. They made our "sacrifice" to go seem like nothing. For example, here is one couple. He is 60, and she is in her mid-50's. In the last year, all four of their parents died, their dog died, and his computer consulting business failed. So they sold their home, and are headed to Guam on their mission. Another couple was scheduled to report to the MTC Oct. 5, but the doctors found a growth on his knee. It was malignant, they took it and a bunch of other stuff and gave him an artificial knee. He was on crutches when they came--they are going to Poland. We met a couple in the hallway, carrying a huge box. "What is it?" "Six months supply of insulin and syringes. We'll need two more like it. It will cost us a fortune to get it there, but we have to do it." "Where are you going?" "Mongolia."

We also met several "live-at-home" missionary couples who came to the MTC for training, and then would serve their missions while living at home. Some would be working on re-activation, one couple would be working in the membership records office, tracing lost records. One couple attended with the sister in a wheelchair. My conclusion--you don't need money or health to serve a mission. You need faith.