Hungary for Service: Happy New Year!! - First Letter to Family

It has been quite the week. Our first week of our mission completed. We started the week with beautiful blue skies and new fallen snow. Yes, it was very cold, but the beauty of the new snow more than made up for that. After only 1.5 hours of sleep the night before, we were grateful we arrived late enough in the day to just catch the end of the last class. We were quickly oriented and sent off to unpack and have our first experience in the MTC cafeteria. The food is far from gourmet, but it is not bad. The rooms are very similar to a hotel room with a queen sized bed, dresser, table and chairs, and bathroom. All the senior missionaries are housed in their own building that is just above the bookstore, mailroom, and fitness center. The basement has a good-sized workout room with weights, and about 20 elliptical machines as well as several bikes. The third floor – where the senior missionaries stay has a room with a couple treadmills and stationary bikes.There is also a lounge area with refrigerator, microwave, computer, tables and couches.

The security at the MTC is something to be noted. Every time we enter a new building, we need to swipe our card to gain access. The card is even required to use the elevator. I knew there was a guard gate but had no idea that the security once you were in the MTC was so tight.

We began our training at 8 am on Tuesday morning. It was very different from what I had expected. I guess I was kind of expecting a lot of “gospel doctrine” type classes. Instead we had wonderful teachers and classes that were exceptional, motivating, and filled with the spirit. We were not taught the gospel but rather how to teach the gospel and invite others to Christ. I have gained a whole new respect for missionaries and what they do and how they teach. I have been so impressed with the entire MTC experience. There have been numerous “uncomfortable” and “out of my comfort zone” experiences. We had to prepare a talk in less than 30 minutes (luckily I didn’t have to actually give the talk) We had several “role play” experiences where we had to get to know someone in 15 minutes and then were given 10 minutes to prepare a 20 minute lesson for them. That was very intimidating for me, but I decided with Dad as my physical companion and the Holy Ghost as our spiritual companion, we actually had a really good experience with these role plays.

Tuesday was a very long day. We began at 8 am and didn’t finish until the devotional that night was over at 9 pm. So we basically ate breakfast, sat in classes for 4 hours, ate again and then sat in classes for another 4 hours, then ate again and then went to the devotional. Sleep was very welcome again that night. Elder Arnold of the Seventy spoke at the devotional. He spoke about going home from your mission with “no regrets.”

Thursday night, Dan and Diana Paxton picked us up to go to the BYV vs Santa Clara basketball game. It was a good game, but it was especially good to be able to spend time with them.

Early Saturday afternoon, Bard and Nancy picked us up to take us back to their house for the long weekend. We spent New Year’s Eve with their family at Eric’s new house. It was fun to see all the Davies kids.

We were supposed to have Humanitarian/Welfare training all next week, but the MTC failed to realize that Monday is a holiday and all the church offices are closed. So, we have the day off and will spend an extra day with Bard and Nancy. We are also going to lunch with Bill and Mark. So that is a nice benefit. Although I think I would really rather have been able to have the full weeks’ worth of training, since we don’t really have a clue what we are supposed to be doing once we get to Hungary.

Tuesday we will spend the day at Welfare Square and then the rest of the week we will be back at the MTC learning whatever else applies to our actual assignment.

There were only 20 senior couple at the MTC last week. Most of them have already left for their various assignments.3 other couples will be trained with us as Welfare Missionaries. There are a few couples that will be office couples and they stay for additional training as well.

I’m sure this is probably way more information than you are interested in, but rather than write letters and then journal entries, I will just do it all at once. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to share pictures and “journal” our experiences. Facebook and/or Instagram will work, but I’m hoping to keep a little more detailed account than I think is appropriate for Facebook so I think I need another avenue in addition to those. Any suggestions as to the best way to do this?