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).

Set Apart as a Missionary

Pres Saunders, Sis Hansen, Pres Skeen, Bishop Petersen

Tonight Sister Hansen was set apart as a missionary by her Stake President Clark Skeen, 1st Counselor Richard Saunders and Bishop Robert Petersen.

It was a great experience where she was given counsel and promised blessings. Her dad, mam, brother were there, as well as her Young Women's Leader and friend Jaymie Hansen, and good family friend Mitch Mosher.

You may be wondering - what does being "set apart mean?" We are set apart to focus our time and talents on a specific labor for the Lord (such as missionary service). Being set apart is a special event which may be accompanied by an outpouring of the spirit. The inspiration attending this ordinance may deepen our understanding, elevate our spirits and remind us of our possibilities, and motivate us to a higher, richer quality of life. When we are set apart, we also receive the right to obtain knowledge and inspiration to accomplish our assigned tasks. We prepare our minds to receive that counsel by following the commandments, praying, studying, and pondering the duties of our callings. We also have the right to receive special strength of body and spirit. By being set apart, we promise to consecrate a portion of our time and talents to magnify our callings. A calling to serve in the church, with the privileges and responsibilities conferred on us when we are set apart, is an opportunity for God to create in us a more Christlike mind, a purer heart, and a nobler spirit. All the He requires is our willingness to serve faithfully.

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