The MTC Experience

We entered the MTC on 19 April 2010 and experienced wonderful trainers for Preach My Gospel, terrific volunteers who allowed us to practice on them, special new friends, excellent CES training and great inspiring devotionals.  The Jacob Hamblin building was under construction, the food was amazing and we worked hard.  We were able to hear from Elder Kevin Pearson of the Seventy with his wife, Elder L. Tom Perry with his wife, the full MTC Presidency and their wives.  We Relief Society sisters were able to also hear from the daughter of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin.  Yes, she was the daughter who "started to go on the blind date with the father who came to pick up her sister for a babysitting job...."  Elder Pearson taught us the single most important principle to internalize for the mission:  You have been called to succeed and to not be average. (...as there are no average people in the Celestial Kingdom through the Atonement).  We learned that disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ pray consistently that they will be given the Holy Ghost (who will teach us all things that we should do).  The MTC presidency taught us that the Lord takes all we have to offer and He makes it better. 

The day we entered was a beautiful day.  Becky and Angie drove us to the Super 8 as they were full at the MTC housing because others' visas had been delayed and because the volcano in Iceland had caused flight cancellations.  The Argentina flag was the first to greet us and we felt right at home.  The blossoms were on the trees and then rain and even a slight snow came during our time.  It was all beautiful.

President Smith spoke again to us just before we left.  He said, "I send you from this place with our love and confidence armed with power."  He quoted 3 Nephi 5:13.  "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of Him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."  He reminded us that "As you put on the nametag, you literally take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ - act accordingly with love, respect and dignity."

We left Provo with beautiful weather on 29 April 2010 to meet with the Military Relations Department on the 20th floor of the Church Office Building in Salt Lake.  During our training the storm began.

 

SAYING GOODBYE

We enjoyed visiting family before our time in the MTC

LUKE 18:30

 

The year of the restoration of the gospel, 1830, helps me remember the verses in Luke 18:29-30 given to us by Janelle.  

And likening the scripture unto ourselves, the scripture reads like this:  "There is no missionary couple that hath left house or children and grandchildren for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time 

(and in the world to come life everlasting).

Here is Janelle's email where she shared this scripture with us. 

Dear Elder and Sister Gibson,                                                                                                                

THANKS FOR SHARING THE EXCITING NEWS!!  Sounds like a wonderful place to serve....We're excited for your whole family.  Your children will become better missionaries while you are serving and your grandchildren will be so "proud" to have grandpa and grandma on a mission.  They become great little missionaries themselves!  Let me share a verse of scripture which Michelle shared with us the day before we left for the MTC.  It's found in Luke 18:29-30.  What great promises are in this verse!  "Manifold" means the same as a "multiplicity of blessings" - or more than you can possibly count - NOW and HEREAFTER!  Michelle said to us, "It's okay that you are going on a mission.  We can't afford not to have you go.  There are blessings for you and blessings for us."  

And so it was with us - too many blessings to count, and they keep coming....   

Love, Janelle and Durrell and family                                                                                                                                    

Here is Sister Coleman's email to us which also is a promise of blessings that will come: 

 Congratulations!

I'm so excited for you! I hope y'all love it down here in the South.  Enjoy your MTC experience; there's nothing like it in the world. I love you so much, and will pass on what Elder Bednar shared with our senior couples two weeks ago. He expressed deep gratitude and love for our senior couples and promised that, "your posterity will serve missions and will be blessed because of your service."        I thank you, my dear Aunt and Uncle, for your examples and willingness to serve the Lord.

Love,

Hermana Coleman

Texas San Antonio Mission

Searching the Scriptures

Two letters were mailed on 2 March, 2010, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to Elder Geoffrey Bruce Gibson and Sister Carol Sue Gibson....  "We welcome you to full-time missionary service to proclaim the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to help build His kingdom on earth.  We trust that you will savor the honor and privilege of bringing souls to the Master by losing yourself in the work.  As you continue to read and study the scriptures, you will increase your personal knowledge and testimony of the Savior and His gospel.  You will be motivated to be obedient and to work hard.  You will learn to be led by the Spirit so that you can teach and testify with converting power."   Geff had his turn to have this experience and now... it is our time to serve TOGETHER.

Guatelmala - El Salvador Mission

 

Elder Gibson served in the Guatemala - El Salvador Mission leaving St. David, Arizona, in September of 1966 and returning December of 1968.