An overdue update
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I’ve been reminded a few times this week that I “used to” be a blogger. But
the reality is, “Hey, I still HAVE a blog, technically I am STILL a […]
8 years ago
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Today, we taught a new "investigator." We prepared a lesson on the Plan of Salvation, but our instructions were to begin by getting acquainted with the person's background and spiritual needs. By the time we asked a few questions, our lesson plan was out the window, and we addressed specific concerns for the lady. Mom's testimony hit close to home for the lady; my doctrinal explanations tended to be too long and wordy, so I fell back on a heart-felt testimony. That worked better. We ended by firmly committing her to continue reading the Book of Mormon and praying for the Holy Ghost to let her know it is true. We asked her to say a kneeling closing prayer, and she did. We were so relieved when that hour was behind us, that we wanted to take the rest of the morning off.
But our teacher kept us working. Evaluating the teaching experience, and learning additional tools and concepts. We do role playing with the other couples in our district. A real mix of backgrounds and personalities. One couple - Robbins - lived in Vernal and knows Mom's friends from there. That made a nice connection. We've discovered unique strengths and talents in each of the couples, and it's obvious to us now that they are each going to do amazing work in their respective missions. It remains to be seen just how amazing I will be, but I can definitely see that Mom's going to reach people in a very personal and spiritual way.
Our afternoon role playing was very enjoyable, because each couple took turns pretending to be people we actually knew. It was inspiring to watch the "missionary" couples search for ways to reach a spiritual connection with us as we pretended to be specific friends.
It's very humbling being with all of the couples (not just our district). They have all done so much for the Church. They know the scriptures so much better than I do, and close to half of them have already served multiple missions. So many of them are making sacrifices bigger than we are. Very humbling!
I'll attach some pictures of the couples in our district (Jensen, Robbins, White, Kennard), and our teachers (Hawkes & Zollinger). Plus two group shots of all the couples. These are long distance and low pixels, so, even when you try to zoom in, it's hard to recognize people. We're in no. 2, ninth from left. On Tuesday night they said there were 150 of us seniors, but the photos only show about 110. The other 40 might have been couples from the prior week, finishing up their extra days (like we will be doing next week).
But our teacher kept us working. Evaluating the teaching experience, and learning additional tools and concepts. We do role playing with the other couples in our district. A real mix of backgrounds and personalities. One couple - Robbins - lived in Vernal and knows Mom's friends from there. That made a nice connection. We've discovered unique strengths and talents in each of the couples, and it's obvious to us now that they are each going to do amazing work in their respective missions. It remains to be seen just how amazing I will be, but I can definitely see that Mom's going to reach people in a very personal and spiritual way.
Our afternoon role playing was very enjoyable, because each couple took turns pretending to be people we actually knew. It was inspiring to watch the "missionary" couples search for ways to reach a spiritual connection with us as we pretended to be specific friends.
It's very humbling being with all of the couples (not just our district). They have all done so much for the Church. They know the scriptures so much better than I do, and close to half of them have already served multiple missions. So many of them are making sacrifices bigger than we are. Very humbling!
I'll attach some pictures of the couples in our district (Jensen, Robbins, White, Kennard), and our teachers (Hawkes & Zollinger). Plus two group shots of all the couples. These are long distance and low pixels, so, even when you try to zoom in, it's hard to recognize people. We're in no. 2, ninth from left. On Tuesday night they said there were 150 of us seniors, but the photos only show about 110. The other 40 might have been couples from the prior week, finishing up their extra days (like we will be doing next week).
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
We attended a devotional Tuesday evening in which we learned that there are 150 senior couples in the MTC this week. (I don't know if it's 150 couples or 150 seniors.) I think I heard someone say that's some kind of record. These people are going all over the world. Many within the US, but some to Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, South Pacific, etc. Some will be teaching seminary and institute, some hosting at visitors centers, some office couples (like us), some proselyting and strengthening the wards and branches ("Member Leader Support"). I would say most are a little older than us. For many this is not their first mission.
This week, we've all been learning how to teach the missionary lessons from "Preach My Gospel." It's just as new for me as it is for Mom. We're taught to tailor our teaching to the needs of the people. To do this, we need to ask lots of questions to learn what the people need, what their questions or concerns are, etc. It's tricky to word the questions to draw out feelings and concerns, as opposed to asking "yes" "no" questions (my natural tendancy).
I have been amazed at how courageous and strong Mom has been! In the large-group meeting, in front of all the senior couples, she raised her hand and volunteered excellent comments more than once. In our small group training and role playing, she's also doing great. Today, we had to teach a college-age kid for 45 minutes. Mom just took over and led the way. She has a knack for knowing when to share her conversion and her testimony. He told our trainer that our lesson was very spiritual (I think more than he expected). That was all Mom. I would just about put him to sleep with a bunch of data, and then she would jump in and personalize it and bear her testimony. Best companion I ever had!
Tomorrow we get to do it again.
I've been going to the fitness room each morning (around 5:30). First morning I used the treadmill in a room near our bedroom. After 5 minutes, some senior missionary in his pyjamas came in to complain that I woke him up. Oops! Then I went to the fitness room in the basement. But my pass key doesn't work, so I had to wait for a janitor to come along so I could follow him in. I took my pass key to the boss to get it fixed. He came back and asked "What time are you trying to use it?" "5:30." "The room is not available until after 6:30." "That doesn't give time to exercise, cool down, shave, shower and eat before the first class begins at 8:00." He told me not to complain, "half the seniors live off-campus, and their fitness room is only available between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m." [Classes go from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.] It's a mystery!
Speaking of shaving, it's been two years since I did it daily. My face is in shreds!
We are enjoying our experience here. There's a wonderful spirit of the Gospel, we're making some new friends, and we're learning to do things outside our comfort zone.
Here's a photo of part of our crowd at lunch; and another with about half the seniors lining up for a group photo. (We're not in either photo.) Too many of us to do in just one photo.
Stay tuned for more adventures.
Love,
Grandma & Grandpa ("Sister & Elder") Kennard
This week, we've all been learning how to teach the missionary lessons from "Preach My Gospel." It's just as new for me as it is for Mom. We're taught to tailor our teaching to the needs of the people. To do this, we need to ask lots of questions to learn what the people need, what their questions or concerns are, etc. It's tricky to word the questions to draw out feelings and concerns, as opposed to asking "yes" "no" questions (my natural tendancy).
I have been amazed at how courageous and strong Mom has been! In the large-group meeting, in front of all the senior couples, she raised her hand and volunteered excellent comments more than once. In our small group training and role playing, she's also doing great. Today, we had to teach a college-age kid for 45 minutes. Mom just took over and led the way. She has a knack for knowing when to share her conversion and her testimony. He told our trainer that our lesson was very spiritual (I think more than he expected). That was all Mom. I would just about put him to sleep with a bunch of data, and then she would jump in and personalize it and bear her testimony. Best companion I ever had!
Tomorrow we get to do it again.
I've been going to the fitness room each morning (around 5:30). First morning I used the treadmill in a room near our bedroom. After 5 minutes, some senior missionary in his pyjamas came in to complain that I woke him up. Oops! Then I went to the fitness room in the basement. But my pass key doesn't work, so I had to wait for a janitor to come along so I could follow him in. I took my pass key to the boss to get it fixed. He came back and asked "What time are you trying to use it?" "5:30." "The room is not available until after 6:30." "That doesn't give time to exercise, cool down, shave, shower and eat before the first class begins at 8:00." He told me not to complain, "half the seniors live off-campus, and their fitness room is only available between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m." [Classes go from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.] It's a mystery!
Speaking of shaving, it's been two years since I did it daily. My face is in shreds!
We are enjoying our experience here. There's a wonderful spirit of the Gospel, we're making some new friends, and we're learning to do things outside our comfort zone.
Here's a photo of part of our crowd at lunch; and another with about half the seniors lining up for a group photo. (We're not in either photo.) Too many of us to do in just one photo.
Stay tuned for more adventures.
Love,
Grandma & Grandpa ("Sister & Elder") Kennard
Monday, March 17, 2014
We met the other couple going to our mission. They are going to the small town of Gap (in the Alps between Grenoble and Nice), where he will serve as branch president, and their assignment will be to strengthen the members.
We had supper with a couple from California who are going to Zambia to teach seminary and institute. It's their 7th mission together and 5th to Africa. They just can't get enough!
Love, Dad
We had supper with a couple from California who are going to Zambia to teach seminary and institute. It's their 7th mission together and 5th to Africa. They just can't get enough!
Love, Dad
First day at MTC!
Things got better after that!
After seeing the attire of the other senior couples, I realized that my wardrobe is just fine and appropriate. One worry out of the way!
Raeburn is doing just fine...no worries for him. He is just sailing through. I am sure he will add his own note when he gets to the apartment, Love you all.
Grandma Suzi
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