MTC Training

August 6-11, 2018
Here we are at the MTC in Provo Utah. It has been a whirlwind week.  We arrived on Monday and had a wonderful week learning about our Savior Jesus Christ and ways that we can invite others unto him.

(Internet Photo) Provo MTC God's Missionary training ground

The MTC has started a new program since we were last here.  The second day we were assigned an "Other" couple. They were like our second companion.  During the week we had opportunities to get to know them, we ate in the cafeteria together and even traveled to the Provo City Center Temple and enjoyed a session with them. Twice during the week we taught each other lessons as if we were teaching in the field as part of our training.

Us and the Peterson's at Provo City Center Temple Visitors Center

We often wonder if the hand of the Lord is in our life or is it just coincidence that certain things happen.  I testify that it is the hand of the Lord.  As we got to know the Peterson's, our "Other" couple, we found out they were good friends with Delos and Julie Perkins. I worked with Delos for many years. The Peterson's are from Bancroft Idaho and knew the Perkins family very well. As we were talking we found out that their son and Jennifer Putnam Twiss dated for many years.  They knew our neighbors and good friends Jon and Maury Putnam.  Now you might think that is just a coincidence but today while we were doing laundry together I discovered that Elder Peterson also pins his socks together so that they don't get separated in the laundry. I have been doing that my entire married life. I also have used Mentholatum ChapStick since my first mission in 1976 and come to find out Elder Peterson has been using it since he was in High School. That is just too much of a coincidence. We definitely were meant to be "Other" companions.  Besides that, Elder Peterson is also a retired educator. (Imagine that)

What a blessing it has been to be here this past week at the MTC.  We have three more days next week and then it is off to the North to live in Ottawa Canada for almost two years.  For those of you that know me, this is the place I put in a plug for Senior Missionary Couples.  We had a large group over 50 couples.

Elder and Sister Bundy from St. George are the second couple from the left

We are in this picture with the Peterson's are right next to us and The Bunkers
are 5 couples to the right from us.

 It has been very exciting to get to know each of them.  The first Day we found Lowell Bunker and his wife (Rosely Bunkers son and nephew to Roger Bunker). They are heading to Germany to work with the military people there and his wife is a nurse and will serve as the mission nurse.  We met the Cousin of Cliven Bundy.  Elder Willian and Sister Jill Bundy are going to Guam to serve on a little island.  We have two couples going to Nauvoo Illinois to serve as teamsters, two couple going to Hawaii, others serving all over the USA in different capacities.  The opportunities to serve in the church are limitless.  You can even serve from your own home.  The true blessing is just being here with these wonderful people and feeling of their spirit as they go out to make a difference in the world.  We are divided into districts and work the entire week with this group.  They are truly wonderful servants of god.

Our District with our two teachers Brother Echohawk
and Sister Krebs. Sister Krebs (Anderson) was in the MTC with Hailey Bunker!

This has been a blessed week and we are looking forward to next week as we receive additional training as Seminary and Institute teachers.
The real miracle however is seeing this sea of missionaries as they are preparing to go out and serve all over the world.

(Internet Photo) MTC Devotional

(Mormon Newsroom image from internet) showing elders studying in the new training center.

(Internet Photo)They feed almost 3000 people three times a day in less than two
hours.

 Elder Bingham and Abbott are doing well. We have had the opportunity to visit with them on several occasions.

Elder Abbott from Bunkerville 2nd Ward

Elder Bingham from Bunkerville 2 Ward

We have met missionaries that are heading back to our last mission, the Kyiv Ukraine mission.  Even their teacher, Sister McDermott (Fisher) served with us in our last area two years ago.

Russian speaking missionaries preparing to serve

 We are so blessed to be here. We would encourage each of you to begin to prepare today to serve as a senior couple. It is a glorious blessing.
We will try and make this a weekly endeavor so that we can share with you our weekly experiences and if nothing more at least a few fun photos to look at.
Have a blessed week
Elder and Sister Mikkelsen

Gems:
This last week we watched the video of Elder Bednar called "Character of Christ".  He explained to us that the Character of Christ is to always turn out to others.  He gave several examples: in the garden after suffering, as He is being arrested, he had just finished sweating great drops of blood, Peter cuts off the ear of a guard. In His depleted state the Savior restores that ear by serving that guard. He turned out to others on the cross "forgive them for they know not what they do", "Behold they mother", as he invites his disciple to care for her.  I our stress we often forgot others and turn inward but as we gain the Character of Christ we will be able to serve others even when it is difficult or inconvenient.

President Russell M. Nelsen talking about serving the Lord said in his talk Face the Future with Faith: "Your rewards come not only hereafter, many blessings will be yours in this life, among

your children and grandchildren. You faithful Saints do not have to fight life's battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared. "I will contend with him that contenders with thee, and I will save thy children." Later came this promise to His faithful people. "I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children's battles, and their children's children's battles...to the third and fourth generations."

Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. ....Without reservation I promise you that if your will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts.... the Spirit of the Lord.  There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God. President Hinkley