Provo MTC—New Friends and New Experiences

D&C 112:19:
19 Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word.”
Turns out that this scripture became such a comfort to me as I was getting ready to go to the MTC and leave Clifton. . .again.
October 1, 2018–

First day at the MTC in Provo Utah. We stayed last night at Bryce’s in Provo so we could just get up this morning and travel about 3 miles to the MTC. We left Bryce’s at 9:30 AM to go to McDonald’s grab some breakfast and then head to the MTC. As we pulled away from Bryce‘s driveway, a car came up behind us—then beside us—and it was Missy! What a sweet surprise.She showed us the way to McDonald’s and then we went to the MTC. We have been treated so beautifully this whole day. We had sweet sisters who are going to Japan greeters and both Sister and Elders need us and help us get to work with our luggage. This whole district is going to Japan different missions and they leave next week. Elder Mumford got our Sachi on the phone to practice some Japanese with them.She did so beautifully and then they responded so beautifully. I think they are ready to go.

We were in-processing all morning and at 11:30 we met the other senior couples and single sister missionaries. There are a total 128 of us here at this time. Took the time to introduce each other and find out where we are going to serve. There are several Couples and Single Sisters going to SLC Church Headquarters Mission. It is exciting to be with them all. 

Our highlight was to be in a room, waiting for our “District” to be put together and look up and there stands Sister Carolyn Rounds!! We knew she would be here but DID NOT DREAM we would see her SO soon AND that she would be a part of our District of 8 Missionaries!! What a delight! (For those reading this and WONDERING”Who is Carolyn Rounds?”—she is a remarkable Sister from Preston, Idaho—who lost her husband, Pres Blayne Rounds, to brain cancer a few short years ago. Her youngest son, Elder Caleb Rounds, is here at the MTC also—going to Serve in Arizona.  Sister Carolyn decided maybe she should serve while he is gone—so she submitted her papers and has been called on a Humanitarian Mission—to the Adriatic’s—with her Headquarters being Athens, Greece!! So that is just a little about her—she is a delightful  and “tiny yet powerful” woman—heading to help Refugees in Europe!) We have enjoyed being with her this whole day. Oh how I love that dear sister! We ended our day with a family home evening video of David A Bednar’s fireside on the character of Christ. A beautiful message and and a beautiful day. I know I have said beautiful several times that’s how it feels to me. At the end of his message he bore a powerful message and apostolic blessing and said “Heavenly Father knows your face and your name “. That brought tears to my eyes to know that is  surely a truth!,

We are tired but FULL and headed to bed. Thank Thee Lord for sending us here!!

Sister Mumford, Sister Rounds and Elder Mumford (Family Rounds— She’s doing well!!)

The “Classic MTC Picture”  

I have 

 ALWAYS wanted a “typical MTC picture “ in front of “THE BIG MAP”!! Today, was the Day!!

This is our STUDY

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Our day started early this morning as we had to be to breakfast by 7 AM in classes started at 8 AM. Fortunately the cafeteria really not busy this morning to go to breakfast and able to eat pretty leisurely before we headed to class. We started a small group study and assigned a teacher. We have a brother 
and it turns out that his great Uncle was Jerry McCleary, teacher, Coach and Driver’s Ed 
teacher while we were attending Jordan High School so many years ago.  We seem to have a focus on 
teaching and gaining a better understanding of what is the Character of Christ and what do we do to INVITE OTHERS to COME UNTO CHRIST. We have been “paired” with another Senior Couple —Elder 
and Sister Millet— and we have had 2 discussions with them about who they are and what their needs might be in this process of Coming unto Christ. And they too have listened to us (mostly me) as we have shared with them some things we feel they could help us (me) work through in our family. I have 
felt since hearing their story that we were put with them for that reason and also —they have been on a mission to Italy and now 3 years later they are returning there to serve in the Office. 

We also met a new “afternoon” teacher—Brother Joseph Hyrum Pratt—another excellent instructor and humble. 

He took us to view a building with several murals on its walls—beautiful mixture of artistry and photographs. Very thought provoking!! We studied one entitled “Paul” and it was of his “Road to 
Damascus “ experience. It is so very interesting to be in a group of 6 other individuals—seasoned in Gospel study and service. And to hear their comments. Wonderful study!!

Them tonight Elder Mumford and I were privileged to practice and sing with the MTC Choir at our Tuesday evening Devotional— with our visiting General Authority being Elder Joni Koch , of the Seventy., He and his wife shared humble teaching about why we are qualified to be here at the MTC—readying ourselves to GO FORTH TO SERVE.

Wonderful evening. Now—must get some sleep.

 

Our “Morning Teacher” Brother McCleary 

 

With our Afternoon Teacher, Bro Joseph Hyrum Pratt, who is the GGGGrandson  of Parley P Pratt

Elder and Sister Walker—going to Hawaii. She is a Nurse and will help the Mission Pres  with that and Elder W will help with the auto fleet

Elder and Sister Anderson are at Church Headquarters. She is a Nurse and he says he’lll do whatever is needed . They are from Rexburg and know Richard and Elaine Holloway 

Sister Davis— she is a Single Sister, a Nurse and she is headed to the Philippines. 

This was our “Others Couple” that we were paired with to do “one on one “ teaching of the Come Unto Christ  topics and activities from Preach My Gospel 

 Anziano Michael Millet  and Sorella Dixie Millet— who are called to the Italy Rome Mission as an Office Couple (for a 2nd time)!! How blessed is that?! They were such a wonderful couple and we became “Fast Friends”!! They are going to “request” we join them in about 9 months!!__ yeah, right!! But we can always. . . Dream

Murals found in one of the new buildings on the MTC campus. This one is entitled “Paul” as do portrays the event On the Road to Damascus. We spent some time in our afternoon District class, studying and discussing it. Very interesting!! 

 

Another mural— of the Restoration

The beautiful setting of the Provo, Utah Temple amidst the beautiful Fall foliage—as seen from the Mural building.

 

Just a few of the Senior Couple Missionaries we were in the MTC with- We did not get a full GROUP PICTURE—wish we could have.

We met such wonderful people— some going way far away (Europe, Adriatic’s, Brazil, etc but many going to CHQ— Church Headquarters Mission, in Salt Lake— like us. There were ten Single Sisters and about  13 Senior Couple Missionaries in the mix: Many of the Couples are living in our Apartment  complex —The West Temple Apartments and almost all the Single Sisters are in The Garden Apartments, right next door.

And these are the newest Full-Time Church Headquarters Missionaries that started serving on Mo day, Oct 8, 2018. We have been told several times by many different people that ours is the Largest Group of new Utah Salt Lake City Church Headquarters Missionaries to come through. . . Ever!?     

 The rest of the whole MTC group!! 

We are CHECKED IN, MOVED INTO OUR APARTMENT and Today we began our 2-week Training of the many ZONES that comprise the Church Headquarters Mission. 

It is so Good to be here!! 

I really LOVED these 3 pictures of all the Modern-day Prophets as they hung in a “timeline type of row" just outside the MTC classrooms (and they were in order down there) 

 

i guess these are just in REVERSE ORDER here !

We  are so happy and excited to be here!