Glen & Virginia Stacey

This is Glen and Virginia Stacey. They only joined our group this week. I don't really know why that happened. They are from Centerville. They will be serving in Albania. They will also be working in a CFYA ( Center for Young Adults) like us.

Marvin & Vickie Paxton

This is Marvin and Vickie Paxton. They are from Cedar City. They have been called to serve in Frankfurt Germany. I'm a little jealous of them because it would have been fun to improve my German. But I'm happy with my assignment. She will be taking care of finances for much of Eastern Europe. Marvin will be working in the office as well, but I'm not sure what his assignment will be.

Sister Tanner & Sister Kartchner-Hauley

This is the other set of senior sisters in our group. The one in the blue is Sister Tanner. She is from Colorado. The one in the red is Sister Kartchner-Hauley. She is from SLC. They have been called to serve in Madrid Spain. Sister Kartchner- Hauley already speaks Spanish, so that will be helpful to them. They didn't know each other before they came, but seem to be getting along great.

Glen and Patricia Johnson

This is Glen and Patricia Johnson. They are from California. They have been called to serve at Yale University to teach Institute. Neither of them have ever taught Institute or Seminary. Sister Johnson is pretty nervous about the whole thing. But she worked so hard during the CES classes to try to understand what was being taught.

Final Testimony Meeting

After all our classes today we had a testimony meeting. It was such a great meeting to hear how people felt about their experience in the MTC. Several people have made sacrifices to come. One couple had a grandchild born since they've been here. Another couple is expecting a grandchild this weekend and they are leaving tomorrow. - so just a few days too soon. Another couple is going to have a daughter sealed while they are gone. But as it says in "Praise to the Man" - Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. One of the best lessons we learned in one of the CES classes is - Sometimes we have trials in our lives and when that happens, if it is not a result of disobedience, we can know God thinks we are ready to grow. That usually happens to us thru some kind of difficult situation. Many people today bore testimony of some difficult things they were asked to do and how already it had blessed their lives. We have been privileged to associate with some great people here. They have asked us to do some hard things, but it has been such a good experience. One man told a story about a incident in the cafeteria. He said a sister missionary sat down with her tray of food. Then she bowed her head to say a blessing. While she was saying a blessing, an elder sitting across from her, took her drink and put it on another tray, took her plate and put it on his lap, and slid her tray down the table. When she finished praying, she discovered she had prayed her food away. Then he said " these are the young men the Lord is sending out to Preach His Gospel. If the church wasn't true, these 19 year old young men would have ruined it long ago. :0) So true - this church is true and that's why all of this works. It has been such a good experience to be here. I have been to the edge many times since I've been here. I'm so grateful the Lord has faith in me that I can do all that is expected of me.

Final Devotional - Richard Edgley

Tuesday night was our final devotional. The speaker was Richard Edgley from the Presiding Bishopric. He told many missionaries stories. He told all of us we would be going to the 2nd best mission and have the 2nd best mission president because of course his mission and mission president were the best. He told us how important it is to get our investigators to come to church. They will feel the difference. They will feel the spirit. He also talked about how many missionaries feel they failed because they didn't baptize very many on their mission. But he said missionary work is generational. Even if you only baptize one person, that can have a positive effect on many people for generations to come. He said many people have trouble with the Joseph Smith story. It's hard for them to believe a young boy of 14 could actually see God and Jesus Christ. He said "I like to tell them, well there were two other witnessess to the event, ASK THEM!!!" I think it's a perfect answer.
He also told us something most of us already know - tracting is not the most effective way to find investigators. He had a companion who wouldn't tract. Later in his mission he found out this same companion was baptizing the most in the mission. His secret was he found a positive way to work with members. He went to part-member families. When he taught the non-member, he would invite him to bring other friends and family members who didn't belong to the church to the discussions. Many people joined as a result. Pres Hinckley's concern was to retain, Pres Monson's concern is to rescue. We can all be a part of this. We just need to have the courage to open our mouths and invite people to hear the Gospel.
I know it's scary - but as we "go to the edge", we discover we are able to fly. It's a great feeling. I've been to the edge many times in the last two weeks. I've done so many things already that I never thought I would be able to do. I hope I'm able to do it more and with less hesistation when I get to Hungary which will be very soon.

Final Week in MTC

We just finished our final CES classes today. Most of the CES lessons I've already had in seminary. However they presented some great ideas. One great thing I learned is "Teach Eternal Truths First". Whenever you're preparing a lesson, make sure you teach the things that are essential to know. If you have time, go to the fun to know or nice to know. As we all know there's seldom time enough to teach it all. Essential truths are things our class needs to know for their salvation. For example in the story about the Liahona - It's essential for the class to know -God Guides His Faithful Servants- It's nice to know that some people respond differently to God's commandments and why that happens. It's fun to know that Nephi's bow was made of fine steel and how a bow like that would work.
They taught us so many great things. Never teach without participation. "If you tell me I will forget, if you show me, I'll remember, if you involve me I'll become." We want the principles of the Gospel to go from their mind to their heart. Once it's in their heart, they will be motivated to apply the principles to their own lives. Don't tell the principles to them, let them discover them.
It's also important for our students to feel we love them so they are willing to learn. There were so many great things taught in these classes. Too bad all teachers in the church aren't able to attend these classes. I feel very fortunate I was able to hear what they had to say - such valuable information. Of course they practiced what they preached and involved us in the whole process. I discovered for myself it's an excellent way to learn.