MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER EXPERIENCE

Monday, September 5th, was a very special day for us. Having been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for almost 44 years and following in the footsteps of our 8 sons and daughters who previously had served full time missions as young adults, we finally had our own opportunity to enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah as proselyting missionaries. Our training program was just five days long, but much was included in those hours of instruction and study. We were very tired at bedtime!

Although there were 38 other senior missionary couples at the MTC with us, our situation was truly unique because our grandson, Elder Jonathan Lindsay, was also there learning Spanish for his own mission call to the Utah Ogden Mission. Following our initial first day orientation with the staff, we went to the cafeteria in hopes of locating him; but before we could find him, I received a big bear hug from behind. Soon we were surrounded by the other members of his training district who collectively asked us to sit with them during our meal time.

Elder Lindsay with his grandparents, Sister & Elder Lindsay

During our brief stay we were able to share many of our meals with our grandson; but he had to be diligent in getting to the cafeteria on time because other members of his district also wanted to sit beside us. It didn't take long before they affectionately started calling us Grandma Sister & Grandpa Elder Lindsay.

The five senior couples who were in our training district have now been dispersed all over the world to serve their missions:  (1) San Diego, CA; (2) Capetown, South Africa; (3) Mississippi; (4) Lyon, France, and (5) Baltimore, Maryland.

Most of our instructors were former Church missionaries who are now enrolled as students at Brigham Young University, which is right next door to the MTC. They are highly motivated instructors who have a great love for the Savior and the sacred work of bringing souls to Christ. At the conclusion of our training, we were told to go forth to serve by "lengthening our shuffle," which seems age-appropriate for senior missionaries like us!