The mission call & training center

   Every missionary remembers the day when they received that white envelope in the mail. It's exciting, a little nervous, and a defining moment in their lives. You have mustered the courage to turn in your mission application.  And the wait?! Oh my goodness!! The days turn into weeks, and the weeks turn into months. Talk about enduring. Satan assaults you with endless batterings of discouragement. Are we leaving too early? Can we pay for our mission? What about our family? Will they need our help? What becomes of our house? Where might we serve? What if I can't do it physically or spiritually? Are we healthy enough? What if we get sick? Are we making a mistake? It's never ending, on and on.

   But as each of these questions come, we learned that we can receive a peaceful comfort and support. Sometimes it comes through prayer. Another time we read the scriptures and reassurance is there. We attend the temple, and something is done or said to lift us up. We attend church, or go home teaching, or talk with loved ones and again we are reassured that, yes, the Lord needs us to go.

   Finally the envelope arrives and with excitement and some trepidation, we open it.  And the wave of shock runs over us. "You are not going to believe this!! Seriously!!"  It is truly amazing and truly a defining moment in our lives. The Lord has confidence in us to serve in a far-away land in an area of responsibility that is equally foreign.  With nervousness & anxiety, we accept the calling, and we begin the myriad of preparations necessary before we enter the Missionary Training Center (MTC).

   Another defining moment, and one well remembered by every missionary, is that first day in the MTC.  We've been there before to see our children off for their missions, but nothing prepares us for the intangible that envelops the entire complex.  We are greeted with smiles, and the love of every staff member permeates life here. As we sing that first hymn, it begins to sink in, that we are missionaries. Everything here - the instructions, the hymns, the pictures, the conversations, and how everyone dresses speaks volumes that Jesus is the Christ.  And we are going out as soldiers and disciples, taking the good news to all parts of the world. Seems the first question is always "where are you going?" - Russia, Mongolia, South Dakota, Tahiti, Cape Verde Islands, Australia, California, Baton Rouge, Chile, West Indies, Laos, Thailand, Ukraine . . . the world.

Elder & Sister McClure (South Dakota), Sister Sanner (West Indies), Sister Bangerter (Tahiti), Sister Cassita (Cape Verde Islands)

   Now our apprehensions begin to melt, and our excitement rises.   We are taught and trained in teaching the gospel to those who are investigating our faith, or those who have become less active members. We practice through role-playing and overcome fears. We feel the confirmation of the Spirit that the Savior loves us, and what we are willing to do.

   The week of training ends too soon, and we depart the MTC, filled with the Spirit. We feel our eyes well up with tears of joy, our hearts are full, we feel happy and have a love for all strangers. We feel we are ready and prepared. The time has come for us to leave our family and board the plane, headed for adventure and our mission.  All aboard!!!