Largest group ever

I forgot to mention that this was the largest group of senior missionaries ever!  Usually there are about 40 a week.  This week there were 86.  Here they are.  They quickly became special friends.

One week at the MTC

End of the MTC

We left the MTC yesterday.  We will be in Salt Lake City for medical training next week and then leaving for Chicago on Friday.

The MTC experience was much like that for the young missionaries.  We spend considerable time studying Preach My Gospel.  It is a remarkable book!  We developed lesson plans and then practiced on “investigators” They were member volunteers that served as investigators.  Our investigators were very kind.  Some of the other couples got some that were less cooperative.  One of the couples had the investigator initially refuse to let them in.  Another invited the sister to sit on his lap.  Overall it was an interesting time.  It was easier to teach about the restoration that we expected.  We also became more convinced that the true missionary pamphlet is the Book of Mormon.

We also developed an appreciation for what our boys went through in the MTC.  We at least got to leave each night.

The MTC

Well...we are finally in the MTC.  Today was orientation.  For the next week we will be studying Preach My Gospel and attending workshop to learn how to present the gospel to non-members.  We are there from 0800 to 1700 and home at night (except a devotional on Tuesday night).  Saturday is P-day and we are encouraged to attend the temple.  We are free the rest of the day.

Next week we are in SLC learning about the missionary medical program.  We are done on Thursday Aug 4 at 1600 and then free to travel to the mission is Chicago.  We are already being given a lot of leeway over what is required of the 19 year olds. (We can take naps and can exercise without our companions.)  We are also allowed to keep our cell phones (not an invitation to make elective calls while we are there)

The Spirit is certainly different at the MTC and it is inspiring just to be around the young new missionaries.  We are looking forward to becoming more immersed in the Spirit. 

Elder and Sister Craner (goodbye first names)