I made it to the MTC!!!!! This place is absolutely amazing and I'm loving every minute of being here! You know how everyone says that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth? Well, that's wrong because it's actually the Provo MTC! That first day here, you wear your "dork dot" sticker on your badge and all the missionaries you pass welcome you with "Welcome, sisters!" and "Hello, sisters!"... or the occasional greeting in a different language which is pretty fun too. (Note from Alicia - the "dork dot" indicates it's your first day so if you get lost or look confused there are lots of people around watching out for you to help if needed.)
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| Picture thanks to Tiffany's grandparents who dropped them off; the 8 computers in the MTC where missionaries can upload pics were all in use so she couldn't send any others this week |
Where to even start?! The days here are very long and every minute of the day is scheduled, but I LOVE it. So on my first day here, Elder Packer, Sister Crane and I were late to orientation due to a delayed flight. Sister Crane and I were set up as temporary companions until we found our own. Sister Crane found her companion right after our welcome meeting where we met the MTC president and counselors. But it wasn't until dinner time that I was walking through the cafeteria when I saw my companion, Sister Agado... one of the sisters I found on the "Missionaries Coming Soon" Instagram, and she recognized me from my pictures too, so we hugged and laughed and all was well! And I have another companion named Sister Anderson who is absolutely amazing! Sis Agado is from Pocatello, Idaho and Sis Anderson is from Sacramento, California. We all went to BYU-Idaho, all only have younger sisters and can all whistle, if I don't mind my saying so, pretty darn well. So whenever we walk around or are in the echoing bathrooms we whistle hymns in three-part harmony. SO fun!! I was seriously blessed with the best companions, and love them so much already. Best tri-panionship in the MTC!
I think that they try to scare you a little bit on that first day here. After an early dinner we went to interactive classes where there was an "investigator" at the front of the class who was taught by 2 missionaries for about 1 minute. Then the missionaries walked out and our teacher said, "Now you will be teaching, so ask questions, but only one at a time so go ahead." Basically, it was a mess. the three times we asked investigators questions that night, they were all very stubborn and had every gone through all sorts of trials. A good way to describe our first experience was we were playing "spiritual wack-a-mole," teaching lots of doctrine, but never hitting concerns right on the head. The sisters and I left feeling a little discouraged, but never fear, the Lord is on our side and the past 2 days have gone SO much better!
Yesterday they made an announcement about auditioning for a musical number, so I checked out a violin, found a piano performance major sister (what a tender mercy), sight read a version of "Come thou Fount," written by a former MTC president's wife once, and auditioned for the MTC president and counselors' wives who are all very sweet. (If you ever see any of them around, they come up to you and ask you how you're doing, where you're from, etc.) And today I got an acceptance letter to play the musical number for the new missionary welcome meeting next Wednesday! My companions and I did a little happy dance when I opened that letter, and are looking forward to the program and I'm excited to play one of my favorite hymns.
Last night we met our branch president, counselors and their wives. President Laney is a scripture wizard. Seriously, the man quoted probably 20 scriptures just when we were talking as a group. Fun fact, he knows President Nattress, the Gilbert mission president very well because they have served in a lot of the same callings. Sister Agado, Sister Anderson and myself were called to be our branch's online coordinators, so we teach the elders in our district how to use the computer and emailing time. Very easy. We have to email president on p-day during our one hour, just fyi... so that takes up a little bit of my time.
Which brings me to the elders... we are the only sisters in our district! There are four other companionships of elders our district. Our district is the people we spend all day long with in class and meetings. We are all going to different places... Detroit, Ventura, CA. They are a great group, and all fresh out of high school which is pretty interesting. But we learn a lot and spend time together during lunch so we are all very close. But really, I LOVE my tri-panionship!! We are all healthy eaters, and wake up at 6am for exercise classes, but most importantly work together really well. We teach our own investigator, Audrey, for the first time tomorrow so keep us in your prayers! We've been planning and practicing and teaching and learning, so we'll see how it goes. We will continue to teach her each day start next week, which is neat to see how we will be able to see her progression. We are so excited to help others!
So yes, we do everything you've heard missionaries do here-- Personal study, companion study, daily planning, classroom instruction, repeat. And guess what we've really focused on learning about while being here? THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST (thank you, President Peterson). It is amazing. Read 2 Nephi 31, and you will understand. The Doctrine of Christ is exactly what our purpose as missionaries is all about-- Inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. It is so simple, but the only way back to our Heavenly Father. I am one of 85,000 missionaries called to serve and there are billions of people in the world. I know that we have the truth, and the only way back to our Father's presence, so that's a lot of responsibility! What an amazing work to be called to! To bring true light and joy to my brothers and sisters!
Yes, I am leaving here on the 22... and yes, that is next Saturday... and yes, that has raised a lot of eyebrows around here, even by our branch president and even Sister Burgess, the MTC president's wife. Apparently missionaries aren't in and out of here in only 10 days, don't leave on Saturdays and all other visitor center sisters are here for 3 weeks. So that means we really get to make the most of every minute here! Next week I will be going to Temple Square for the day for special visitor center training, which my companions and I are super excited about!
Remember that we are children of God, and He loves us all so, so much! He knows our wants, needs and feelings personally, and we are each special to Him. I'm so grateful to finally be here and am excited for the upcoming week and opportunities that will come! Hurrah for Israel!
Much Love,
Sister Larsen
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