The Ladner Archives: Week of 20240303 - Our Second Week at the Provo MTC

Week of 20240303 - Our Second Week at the Provo MTC

= Sunday, we attended services, finished a fast, and practiced with the choir. In the evening, we prepared a lesson to give tomorrow to an individual who says he has recently arrived in Utah with his family and is curious about the church.

= Monday, we discussed taking initiative and working with young adults. We met a missionary who comes from Ghana and will serve in Chicago. I gave him the extra coat and gloves I had brought; they were overkill for 20-degree weather in Utah but will help him in Chicago.

= And, Steph and I delivered the lesson we had prepared Sunday night. We hadn't done this since Quinton was in Seminary [morning scripture study during high school years]. Our task was to give our friend a starting point and help him feel the Spirit.

= Tuesday, we added to our knowledge about the seminary (high school age) and institute (adult, primarily young adult) instructional programs of the church. In the afternoon, we focused on helping others resolve their concerns, keeping records, and using Zoom in teaching. We sang in and took notes during a devotional featuring Stephen J Lund, Young Men General President.

= And, we learned that our departure from the U.S. will be delayed a day to synchronize with the departure of the other senior couple also going to Ghana from the Missionary Training Center, Elder and Sister Sroufe.

= Wednesday, we focused on family history. My mother was very organized about this, and Mary-Lorraine has taken it to a whole new level. We're grateful. We also focused on guiding members to the temple.

= And, my U.S. phone number was successfully parked; it's WiFi only now.

= Thursday, we focused on welfare and self-reliance. In the afternoon, we used technology. And, Dan Gordon was our willing subject for a project we only received details of fifteen minutes beforehand: show someone a church app and ask that person to do something with it.

= We received a heartfelt description of our trainer's experience of the power that a full-time missionary has. In the evening, I created a birthday card for Steph.

= Friday was Steph's birthday. This morning's focus was on supporting local leaders. Classes ended at noon for us. I had thought to make using Google Earth a date night activity; it was lame. We picked up items at Creamery Express that evening.

= Saturday, we lounged. We picked up our revised travel itinerary and a birthday/mission card from Mary Slater to Stephanie. And I got to help a couple arriving late in the evening adjust their thermostat and see the resources available on our floor; the timing was a tender mercy.

= We saw the news that the first temple of the church, the Kirkland Temple, has been transferred to the church by the group that took possession of it almost 200 years ago. The building will not be rededicated but instead will be open to the public.

= MTC has been drinking from a firehose. Many of those we've encountered have been on multiple missions, and we've learned much from them. And, we have been blessed to live on campus; many senior couples have been driving back and forth from hotels daily: no room.