I Was in the MTC on Halloween!!!

October 30, 2013: The Day I Entered the Missionary Training Center. 

October 30th will forever hold a special place in my heart. It was the day I entered the Missionary Training Center (MTC) to begin my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, back in 2013. I was called to serve in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission, speaking English.  

When I was 7 years old, I had missionaries teach me and my family. I was able to get baptized shortly after turning 8. Ever since then, I always wanted to serve a mission. I have felt so blessed being able to have been taught the gospel, I wanted to share it with others. 

I was 19 and attending college at Utah State University when we had general conference in October of 2012. This is when the prophet announced the age change for missionaries. Sisters could now go at age 19 instead of 21. I knew right that second that it was meant for me in my life at that time.  

From October 2012 to October 2013, I prepared to serve a mission. I finished my first two semesters at school and nannied for the summer in Oregon before heading out to Minnesota. It was a busy year but it went quick. I entered the Provo Missionary Training Center on October 30th, the day before Halloween. 

We drove about forty-five minutes to get to Provo from our house. My siblings all came and we grabbed lunch at Denny’s. The Provo temple is right across the street from the MTC, so we stopped by for pictures and to say our goodbyes. Once you get dropped off it's pretty rushed so we wanted to make sure we got all the hugs we could get in at the temple. We all piled back into the minivan and drove across the street to the MTC. I was able to hug my mom and dad one more time and then my missionary helper helped with my bags and took me to where I needed to go.  

I had about five seconds to be sad before they had us getting to work. Walking away from my family was very tough but I knew that was where I was suppose to be. I got my missionary tag and put it on for the first time! We were able to take our bags to our room and then we got to email our families, letting them know that we got all settled in. I met my missionary companion and our district(group) we would be with while we were there. They get you into classes pretty quick. We lived the missionary schedule just like we would in the mission field. 

During the MTC stay they teach you all about missionary life, how to teach, what to teach and helped us get use to the missionary schedule. It’s basically like a school campus just smaller. They have a cafeteria with all sorts of food options. Our room had multiple bunk beds so we got to stay with a few sets of sisters. They have on site laundry rooms, a post office, a store and lots of classrooms. The campus is beautiful and right across from the Provo temple. 

My second day in the MTC was Halloween. It was just a normal day for us. We had the same schedule as any other day. Before I went to the MTC, I went to a ton of haunted houses with my best friend and we dressed up and did all the fun fall activities. My siblings sent me some of their candy in a package a few days later which was super sweet of them! I like Halloween for the cute, spooky, fall festivities!

We wouldn't prosolate on Halloween night while out in the mission field. We visited families we knew and got to participate in the ward trunk or treat. We dressed up as nerdy missionaries, creative, I know!  A tradition I picked up from my mission is making Butterbeer for Halloween each year since the family we visited had made some, and I loved it! I did hit my one year mark the day before Halloween while out in Minnesota. 

Overall, the MTC experience was so good for me. It was hard some days but I am so glad I had that opportunity. It helped me really figure out why I wanted to be a missionary and prepared me for the mission field so much! The MTC is full of the spirit and helped me create some really neat memories.

If you are getting ready to enter the MTC I would say to live it up every single day. The couple weeks at the MTC and your mission does go faster than you think and it really does end. Make each day count. You don’t just leave your family and life behind to serve half way. Give it your all and the Lord will make up the rest. I feel like the MTC does a great job to help you get acclimated to the missions schedule quickly and really is a great place. 

What was your experience like at the MTC if you have been there? Do you have any questions about the MTC?