Report to the Missionary Training Center

Today was the big day, Sister Hansen reported to the MTC. As her Mam, it was bitter-sweet to send her on her way. Her Dad and Brother may have even shed a few tears, but I doubt it as they are very manly and such (they bawled just like me).

In a previous post I shared with you a bit about Emma's bestie Mollie Petersen, who is also in the MTC (she entered on January 4th) getting ready to head to the Tallahassee Florida Mission. It was our hope that Mollie would be able to serve as a "host" today and greet Emma at the curb as we dropped her off.

As we pulled up to our assigned area, I saw her . . . Mollie's beaming smile. I immediately began the crying, the really ugly cry thing, ewah, not pretty. I squeezed Mollie and she squeezed Emma and properly shook Bill and Bryce's hands. We unloaded the luggage and I squeezed Mollie again for her mama and Mollie took Emma by the hand and off they went to serve the Lord. It was absolutely wonderful, until they both refused to get in my car and come home with me. I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for that small blessing, it calmed my mama heart to leave Emma with Mollie. I only cried all the way home (after the boys pried my fingers off the curb- not really, but I considered it).

What is the MTC? Mormon missionaries generally arrive at an MTC with a foundation of religious knowledge gained from years of instruction at home and church. Many Mormon families study the Bible and other books of scripture together daily. Many youth also attend weekly high school and college religion courses the Church offers. And on top of this are weekly Mormon worship services, held on Sundays for three consecutive hours. MTCs provide a decidedly more rigorous curriculum rooted in gospel fundamentals. Life at the MTC consists of daily practice teaching situations, gospel classroom instruction from teachers who are former missionaries, weekly devotional addresses from Church leaders, and weekly service opportunities.

Following the pattern Jesus Christ established in the New Testament, full-time Mormon missionaries are sent out two by two (see Mark 6:7). They spend all day, every day, with an assigned companion (once they depart the MTC, companion changes occur every couple of months).

Friendship & Missions

We moved to our current house when Emma was 4 years old.  It's pretty much the only place she remembers.  Here she re-met her bestie Mollie Mae Petersen, I say re-met because I'm sure these girls were the best of friends before coming to this earth.  If you know Emma or Mollie you know they are like peas and carrots.  Sister Petersen enters the MTC in the morning.  I think Emma said it best:

"I think the weirdest thing about Mollie and I both going on missions is the fact that practically yesterday I still remember looking at a new house and the little neighbor girl who happened to be my age asking if I wanted to swing on the swing set in the backyard with her.  And the fact that she hasn't left my side for longer than 2 weeks since and now we won't see each other for 18 months.  

I'm beyond grateful that the Lord blessed me with a sister like you.  I love you so much and know you will do amazing things in Tallahassee.  See you in 18-ish months Sister Petersen."

I'm also grateful these girls have each other.  Their friendship could teach us adults a thing or two about unconditional love, support, and lifting one another.

I wanted a little something to keep Sister Petersen close to us while she's gone, after all both of them leaving a couple weeks apart is killing me.  My niece Hollie McKeeth made this to celebrate their friendship and their service to the Lord.  The photo doesn't do it justice, Thank you Hollie.  

. . . they separated themselves and departed one from another trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.  Alma 17:13

"Special Day"

In preparation for her mission, Emma had the opportunity to go to the LDS Temple in Payson, Utah.

"LDS temples are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants (promises) with God. Temples are places of learning and their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him. The Lord blesses those who attend to the sacred ordinance work in the temple. And the blessings He gives will not be limited to the time spent in the temple. Those who do temple work will be blessed in all aspects of their lives. Their labors in the temple will strengthen them and refine them spiritually." (True to the Faith)

LDS Prophet, Thomas S. Monson has said of temples:

"As I think of temples, my thoughts turn to the many blessings we receive therein. As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives."

This was definitely a day of rest for our souls, and a much needed break from the cares of our lives.

The Call

Emma received her call to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She will be serving in the Washington Vancouver Mission and reports to the Missionary Training Center on January 18, 2017.

Emma and her BFF, Mollie

Mollie, Emma & Mitch