Mini MTC

Today when I picked Autumn Bottom up from “college”, this was what they sky looked like!  It was gorgeous and I like that the 1/2 moon was already out.  I’m so happy that it’s just going to keep getting lighter and lighter in the evenings since we passed the winter solstice in December.

We had scrapple for dinner (so good) and then I had to run.  Autumn is going to spend the night at Mom & Dad’s tonight for a fun sleepover.  The reason is that I am helping out with the Mimi Missions for our stake.  Tonight we had a Mini MTC (Missionary Training Center) at the Stake Center from 7:00 – 10:00.  We got to watch the movie “Called To Serve” which is the movie they show when you’re in the MTC and have to say good bye to your family for 18 months to 2 years.  I was laughing so hard b/c it was from the 80’s and the people on the video totally had 80’s hair.  Anyways, after that we heard some talks about preparing for missionary service.

Then, we split into 3 groups and went to 3 different 20 minute workshops.  One was on how to best use the "Preach My Gospel” book.  The 2nd one was about the joy of missionary work.  The 3rd one was about what to study and teach and how to have the Holy Ghost with you while you teach.  All the workshops were great.

Then we all met in the chapel again and Pres. Jones talked to us about his mission when he was 19 and then when he and Sis. Jones served as the Mission President of one of the 4 Sao Paulo, Brazil missions.  He told us the story of Dan Jones (no relation) and how Dan was with Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail but Joseph told Dan to deliver a letter to his lawyer that morning, and therefore was spared from being killed when the mob attacked and killed Joseph Smith.  Joseph told Dan the night before that he would go back to his native Wales to serve a mission. 

Pres. Jones’ great great grandmother had a dream one night that 2 strange men knocked on her door and that they were floating a few inches above the ground and they gave her a strange book.  Well, the very next day Dan Jones and his companion knocked on her door and gave her the Book of Mormon and she eventually joined the church.  Pres. Jones said when he gets to Heaven he will for sure seek out Dan Jones and thank him for being the angel missionary that brought the gospel to his family so many generations ago.

Anyways, the meeting went until 10:00 and after it was over I stopped by WalMart to pick up a few things that I needed to make breakfast tomorrow.  It was funny to see a bunch of guys in suits walking around, b/c they had just come from the meeting, too.  I got home and was THRILLED to find a package on my door step.  I had ordered this Scripture Study Journal (Topics version) from theredheadedhostess.com.  I kept checking the delivery status online all day and it kept showing it was supposed to be delivered tomorrow.  I got out my favorite markers from Slovenija that I used on my mission and dove right in.  I set up the title page w/ 50 different topics in alphabetical order.  Then I just started writing and cross referencing things and was completely absorbed in gospel study.  I felt like the scripture in Matthew 5:6:  where it says “they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”  It has been a long time since I have soaked up the Gospel like a sponge.  I was so absorbed in my study that I didn’t realize how late it was.  I was starting to get tired and figured it was 12:30 am or 1:00.  Nope, it was 3:30 am!!!  I hurried and went to sleep b/c tomorrow is going to be a big day full of a mini mission.