February 16th - MTC

Well, after all the preparation, anticipation and waiting we finally arrived at the MTC. The routine was not much different than our first experience: get a car pass, check in and receive our packet, go to the MTC Book Store and pick up name badges, then to the MTC Travel department to pick up our passports, visa and flight itinerary.

It was here that I discovered we might have a slight problem.  Back in November we received our flight itinerary because we wanted to make sure we could get upgraded seating.  We were to leave on February 26th but the new itinerary we just received has us departing on March 2nd. I was concerned about our booking the economy comfort seating that it may not be listed on the new itinerary.

I went to the MTC Travel department and explained the problem.  They took all our information to check with Salt Lake and see what to do.  I returned during lunch and was told that the Area Office made the change so that all missionaries would arrive on the same date. I was informed that I needed to call Delta and see what could be arranged.  Shortly thereafter I called DELTA, left my phone number and about 30 minutes later they called and we transferred our Economy Comfort seating confirmation to the new flight on March 2nd.  They were not the same seats (shucks) but at least we did not lose out.  So we are leaving on March 2nd with two single sisters who are going to Cebu to serve as PEF Self Reliance Missionaries.

After lunch all the Senior Missionaries gathered to be welcomed by the MTC Presidency and to review a general overview of the training schedule.  The districts were assigned and I was fortunate to have been called as a District Leader.  In our district  were Elder & Sister Hammond, Elder & Sister Pitford and Elder & Sister Zetterquist.

With us this week are our dear friends Allen and Jeanette Payne from our study group.  They are going to Ottawa Canada to serve a CES Mission.  We had the pleasure of shadowing them throughout the week.  Both of us were assigned to  the WYVIEW apartments just west of the MTC, so after dinner we went and got settled in.

Tuesday thru Friday we were introduced to The Missionary Purpose and the Preach My Gospel training material.  Each district broke off into separate class rooms where returned missionaries trained us.  The training consisted of learning the material and then doing role-playing teaching exercises.

Tuesday evening we enjoyed a Devotional with Elder Daniel of the Seventy. The MTC choirs sang "The Lillie's of the Field" which was, as always, beautiful and brought the spirit to the entire meeting.

The highlight of the week came on Friday during the morning role play session.  The couple acting as "inactive members" were Elder & Sister Wright.  As we started talking Elder Wright asked if I was the same Uzelac who served as an Assistant Temple Recorder.  I answered yes and wondered how and why he asked.  Then I looked at him, asked what his first name was and when he said David

Elder & Sister Wright

I could not believe it, it was David Wright who was the Area Director who came from the Temple Department to train us prior to opening the St Louis Temple!  I was shocked because I thought I had heard that he passed away but NOPE,  there he was looking at me.

After completing the role playing exercise we sat and talked for about 30 minutes covering everything from his life and assignments after St Louis as well as my temple assignment from St  Louis to Ogden.  We talked about other temple department individuals we both knew as well as interesting transitions that took place during the time we both served in the temple department. He was one of the most influential individuals I had ever met both in St Louis and again here at the MTC.  While he was in St Louis  he introduced me to doctrine principles that changed my life.  I came to love and respect him then and so much more after this re-acquaintance. He and his wife are going to serve an Office Mission.

All in all it was a good week except for Jenee and I coming down with a cold which made things just a little uncomfortable, but no diverticulitis episode this time around for Jenee, YAY!

Prior to concluding our training they took pictures of all the Senior Missionaries who had arrived at the MTC this week.

Sunday the 22nd we returned to the MTC for Sacrament Meeting at 8:30 AM  and then a PEF Devotional which began at 9:20AM.  Elder Sitati from the Quorum of the Seventy conducted the meeting; he is from Nigeria and serves on the Self Reliance PEF Committee. We were introduced to the Self Reliance PEF program as a precurser to our training that begins on Monday the 23rd and concludes on Wednesday the 25th in the COB.

We will return home to complete our packing, enjoy dinners with friends and family, and get ready to fly out to the Philippines on March 2nd at 8:45AM.