Our Home Becomes an MTC

One of the consequences of Covid 19 is that our church's Missionary Training Centers around the world have closed.  So instead of receiving in-person training at the MTC in Provo, UT, we were blessed to participate in online training from our home in Johns Creek, GA.  My initial response to this change in protocol was a bit of disappointment but my heart changed when I came to the realization that our home had become an MTC.  Our training experience was tender and sweet as we sat in our very own family room and listened to apostles and prophets teach us over a three day period.

A particularly tender moment for me was putting on my missionary tag for the first time.  We had received the tags in the mail a few weeks prior and as we prepared for our first training session, it was a powerful moment for me to wear the tag for the first time.  I had been called to represent Jesus Christ, even with my imperfections and questions and uncertainties.  I felt profoundly blessed and grateful for the opportunity ahead of me.  As my longtime friend Lisa Leonard texted me, "Is the name tag that you’ve always worn on your heart now out front for all to see?" 

Over the course of the three days of training, all 15 apostles participated, with most giving 30 minute talks on a doctrinal topic.  President Nelson taught us that "angels will surround, prompt, protect and accompany us in our mission."  We had already felt the presence of my father-in-law, who passed away in October, as we sang his favorite hymn "Called to Serve."  President Oaks taught us that "major disruptions and constant changes in assignments are the norm, not the exception in the history of our church."  This helped me feel calm and peaceful with the unpredictability of our arrival date into the Philippines due to the Covid pandemic.