Wearing the Badge

It’s way different wearing a missionary plaque out in public than it is wearing one in the MTC.  In the MTC you are no different from the other 126 Mission Presidents and wives.  In the world, people watch you.  

I remember, in the past, watching missionaries in the airport and on the airplane.  From the perspective of a member, I wondered if they were using their time to share the gospel.  I wondered if they were being polite.  

Now that I am a missionary I realize suddenly people are watching me.  Members and non members are expecting me to be polite, to do missionary work.  It’s weird being in the same setting... in the airport, in the Sky Club, on the plane and thinking how I acted in the past and how I am expected to act now.

In the past I just kept to myself and minded my own business.  I figured I was inconspicuous and nobody was watching me.  I didn’t need to wipe off the sink in the women’s bathroom, because I was a nobody.  I didn’t need to carry my trash to the garbage, I could wait for the Sky Club attendants to do it.  Now I ask myself, do they think I’m rude because I brought large bags on board?  Do they think I should sacrifice leaning my seat back so the guy behind me can have more room?  Will they look with wide-eyes if I order Diet Coke?

You who have served missions know what it’s like to be in the spotlight.  It is an interesting experience.  It’s kind of cool because when you’re a nobody, nobody cares what you have to say.  When you have a badge on your chest, your actions, your words have weight.  It’s a daunting responsibility, but what a great opportunity to be in a position to make a good impression, to say something people may want to hear (or may not, as the case may be :)

First Night in the Country - What Should We Do?

We heard a great story about Elder and Sister Zwick who were called to serve in Chile several years ago.

The first night they were in the country they received a telephone call from a missionary.  The missionary said, “President, I am standing in a telephone booth wearing my companion’s coat with no other clothes on.

“While we were in the church, terrorists came in with machine guns, made us take off all our clothes, and they put them in a pile, poured furniture polish all over them, and lit them on fire.

“President, we got out of the building and we are okay, but the Church is burning down.  I’m calling to ask you what we should do.”

The Hollands

We were so pleased to see the Hollands again.  Pat remembered that I had babysat for her when I was a Merrie Miss and "Uncle Jeffy" expressed his deep condolences for the loss of Grandma Carol.  He also said it was a blessing she passed when she did -- a difficult realization -- but he's right.

President Nelson

President Nelson is a miracle! He is spry of mind and body. You should have seen him leap up stairs with amazing alacrity and strength.  How old is he now?

We feel like we are leaving the Garden of Eden...

its absolutely gorgeous

we have walked and talked with the Quorum of the Twelve

it feels like a Celestial place

we are headed out into the lone and dreary world

if we didn't go, there would be souls that wouldn't get saved

Feasting on the Word of God

Wonderful training here at the MTC.  All the apostles are here.  Today we heard from Elder Holland, Elder Christopherson, Elder Stevenson and Elder Bednar.  Such a feast!  

We can't emphasize the importance of reading the scriptures enough.  The scriptures are the way to know Christ, to be able to be like Christ, to teach of Christ.  All our answers come from the scriptures.

The Book of Mormon is the most powerful witness of Christ on the earth.  Consider, IF God really did appear in person to a boy prophet, IF God really did tell this young boy that none of the churches on the earth at the time were true, IF this boy really did see an angel, IF the angel really did show the boy where to find a record made by ancient prophets, IF this boy actually translated this record, wouldn't that be the most important discovery of any lifetime?  Wouldn't you want to know more about this series of miracles?  Wouldn't you want to know what was in the book delivered by an angel???

Al these things REALLY DID happen.  How can anyone not voraciously read the book that God provided for our day to guide our lives???  It's better than a time machine, better than a crystal ball.  It's from God and it will lead us to salvation

Day 3

Elder Craig Zwick

Welcome!

Lovely sit-down meals with the apostles and the 70s.

These arrangements are everywhere.

A Great Day at the MTC

President & Sister Smith with Elder & Sister Stevenson

Sister Amato (Peru Lima East mission), Sister Smith, & Sister Bonnie Oscarson

Day One at the Missionary Training Center

Day one was delightful.  Everyone greeted us by name when we arrived.  I think they must have been studying our pictures.  We had a personal docent that guided us from the "dietary needs" station where we were offered a lovely snack, to the stations for healthcare, transportation, finances.  We received our name tags and a great big book with the seminar schedule.

At dinner we met presidents who will serve in Tanner's mission!!! Quito, Ecuador.  They are from Bountiful and have two children.  We met our counterpart, the president of the Santo Domingo West mission.  Love Sister Santos who is from Puerto Rico.  She spoke to me in Spanish and told me to "go for it" no matter how I think I sound.

We had a nice chat with Grandpa's cousin Elder Zwick and Elder Klebingat, who we know from the Single Adult Conference in Jacksonville.  Lovely people who hug like you are a long lost relative.