The first experience of our mission was going to the Missionary Training Center. I had always envied anyone who had the privilege of going there, and yet I was a bit nervous that I might not measure up! 

I understood that we would be taught how to teach investigators using Preach My Gospel and I had studied it, watched all the episodes of The District, re-read the Book of Mormon after receiving our call, and prepared as well as I knew how, but still I was nervous!

Everyone at the MTC was so gracious--each missionary couple had their own young missionary escort to show them around and help them gather their materials etc. and then our training began. We met in a large group meeting where the 80 couples were divided into Districts of 4 couples and Elder Walker was chosen as our District Leader. Volunteers were asked for help with the music and only a few volunteered so I was able to help several times, both playing the piano and directing.

Our classes were very inspiring. The young returned missionary trainers were fantastic! They helped us feel as comfortable as possible while we were learning to listen for needs, ask inspired questions and teach the principles of the Gospel.

We learned to love our instructors, the other missionaries in our group, and particularly, the members from the community who came in as volunteers for our "role-play" sessions! They were instructed to use only experiences and thoughts from their own lives so that the sessions would be as real as possible. The only thing that wasn't real is that they were already members of the Church. We had only 45 minutes to get acquainted with them, listen carefully to their feelings so that we would understand what to share that would bless them most, and then teach and bear testimony. 

It was overwhelming to me that, even in a role-play situation, the Spirit would testify with such power to the things we were teaching, that often we would be moved to tears! Their was nothing unreal about it! Over and over the Spirit testified of how much the Lord loves each of His children.

Pointing to Port Angeles, WA on the world map at the MTC