Pictures from the first week at the MTC

Week 1 in the MTC!‏

HIIII!

So today is finally p-day!! I'm so glad. I’ve only been here a week and I’m already exhausted!

The MTC is great! I've never really had a freak out or anything where I sit and wonder...what the heck am I doing here? I mean it's kind of weird and different...but it's great. And most people who know me know that I am the kind of person who gets stressed out our freaks out over even little things. But even though it's really hard...I’m super calm and happy still.

Time here is so warped. I feel like we've been here for months...like no joke. But at the same time it feels like p-day took FOREVER to get here. Our days are just so busy they do seem to go by pretty fast. Which is good since we spend like 12-15 hours a day in class!!! It gets a bit overwhelming but it's fun. 

SO just quickly the best part so far was on Sunday. We all sang the "Spirit of God" and it was so cool because we all did it on our own languages but then for the "Alleluia" part that's all regular and it was just really cool. It gave me goose bumps. And the best part was they asked Jake to give the opening prayer in Albanian and asked me to give the closing prayer in Hungarian! It was really great. It has seriously been so awesome not only being in the MTC at the same time as Jake but being in the same zone! Seriously so fun!! 

So the first day I got here I was greeted by all the girls in my zone who screamed and ran and hugged me and said "Elder Simons has told us so much about you! We've been waiting for you!!" It was pretty great. On DAY TWO at the MTC...we could bear our testimonies in HUNGARIAN! DAY TWO!!! 

My district is great. We were kind of dysfunctional and weird at first...but we've really tried to sit together at meals, go to devotionals together, and support each other in learning Hungarian. It's been so great the last few days. Our zone is pretty great too. I love all the Albanians and the Finnish sisters. They’re so nice. 

HUNGARIAN IS HARD! Wow! But it's so fun. And we kind of all get stressed that we are still struggling and trying to learn it but hello we've been here for a week and the fact that we can put any sentences together, bear our testimonies and pray in Hungarian is pretty impressive. At least I think so. Oh and we had to teach an "investigator" (who is just our teacher) on like the second or third day here!! I'm not going to lie that is pretty stressful...but it's okay. We are slowly getting better. Our teachers are great. They are all really nice and helpful and not intimidating. 

Tudom hogy Jezus Krisztus el es Igen a Mennyei Attyank. Tudom hogy a evangeliumot a szentirasok igaz.  (English translation: I know that Jesus Christ lives and that God is our Heavenly Father. I know the gospel and scriptures are true.)

For anyone I didn't have time to write...I'm so sorry we are so pressed for time for emails! But I printed them all out so I can read them and respond to you next p-day! Thanks to everyone for the love and support. I Loved opening my email and seeing so many emails from family and friends! Love you all!

Love,

Emily xx

MTC Drop off!

Setting apart as a Missionary!!

Life in the MTC

Farewell

Farewell Talk:

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters,

I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak to you all today, especially as it will probably be the last time that I will be able to give a talk in English for a very long time. I am particularly grateful that so many of my family and friends are able to be here.

Today, the Bishopric has asked me to speak about…you guessed it…missionary work…

In Matthew 28:19-20, the resurrected Savior commanded…

“19 ¶Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The commandment to preach the gospel to all nations was one of the last things the Lord said to His disciples before ascending to His Father in Heaven.  It is no surprise, therefore, that we are taught the importance of missionary work from the time we are in primary, where we learn to sing “I hope they call me on a mission.”

Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Missionary work isn’t the only thing we need to do in this big, wide, wonderful Church. But almost everything else we need to do depends on people first hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and coming into the faith. … With all that there is to do along the path to eternal life, we need a lot more missionaries opening that gate and helping people through it.”

Of course, we all know that missionary work is not limited to serving a full-time mission.  Every member of the Church has the responsibility to “teach all nations.”  There are a number of things we can do in response to this important commandment. The church website outlines seven specific things we can do as members of the Church to be “member missionaries”:

1.          Live your religion - A Latter-day Saint’s life is his or her best sermon. Our conversations ought to be open, genuine, and engaged in with a spirit of kindness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are most believable when our actions are in harmony with our beliefs.

2.          Establish a foundation - Rather than responding to random questions, it might be helpful to establish a foundation—explain that we embrace Jesus Christ as our Savior and accept the Bible’s teachings, but believe that the Christian world departed from basic truths, and so Christ needed to restore His Church.

3.          Connect the dots- Try to discern the gospel principle at the heart of a question, and connect the answer back to the Savior. We do not need complicated, sophisticated arguments when the principles we try to live by come from the Son of God.

4.          Share experiences - Answering questions is not about reciting memorized answers. Sharing genuine, personal experiences can invite the Spirit to bear witness and carry the message into the listener’s heart.

5.          Understand your audience - The same conversation isn’t going to work for everyone—we all have different backgrounds. And remember that a casual question doesn’t require a half-hour lecture as a reply. Be sensitive to interest, comfort, and level of understanding. Signal that sensitivity so that those who are curious can feel at ease.

6.          Use resources - The Church has created online resources that can be helpful for members to share with those who have questions. Church magazines are available online and in print, and items available at distribution centers may be helpful. Sharing a copy of the Book of Mormon may also be appropriate. You can also create an online profile on Mormon.org.

7.          Be a force for good - Members of the Church can help clear up misconceptions and increase understanding of who we are and what we believe. People may see differences between what they believe and what Latter-day Saints believe, but they may also find common ground on which to build better relationships.

Of course, there are other things we can do too.  The Church is hastening the work of redemption through the use of social media.  We’re encouraged to “like” Church web-site pages and to post gospel messages on Facebook and other social media sites.  This is a non-intrusive way to share our faith and allow non-member friends a glimpse into our core beliefs.

Like many missionaries, each of my brothers has a private missionary blog site. They send me letters every week that I post for them describing their mission experiences.  They regularly testify of Christ and the truthfulness of the gospel.  Interestingly, more than half of the people who have asked to follow the blog are not members of the Church.  They are school and family friends, parents of friends, teachers, and others who have come to know our family over the years.  What a great missionary tool this is.  They may or may not join the Church one day, but they are constantly hearing testimonies of the true and everlasting gospel, and gaining insight into the lives and dedication of our missionaries.  Later this week, I’ll turn over the “keeping of the blogs” to my Mom – in case she doesn’t have enough to do in Iraq – and I’ll add my own missionary blog to her list.  

As, some of you may know, I did not always have the desire to serve a full time mission. The thought first came to mind when I received my patriarchal blessing. There were a few things mentioned in the blessing that sounded like they could refer to a full-time mission, though not necessarily. However, I was young so I had the luxury of just pushing the thought to the side and saying “I have a few years before I even need to think about this.”

But then I turned 21, and from that time on, the thought would periodically come into mind. But every time it did, I pushed the thought aside and said to myself, “if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.” Then…the Church leadership changed the age at which missionaries may go and I thought to myself, “now I’m DEFINITELY not going to serve a full-time mission. I don’t want to do it just because everyone else is.”

But alas, the thought kept coming to mind. In my prayers I would tell Heavenly Father that I was not planning on serving unless it was really obvious that I should serve. Which looking back now, was probably kind of rude of me...Oops!

Then one day, a few months ago, I finally acknowledged the question out loud. I texted a close family friend and tried to ask, nonchalantly, why she had decided to serve a mission.  She wrote me a rather lengthy text back describing what happened to her. As I read it, I thought, “oh shoot, she basically just described me and everything I’ve been going through.” This friend offered to fast with me about the decision, though I pretty much already knew what my answer was. However, I took her up on her offer and we fasted the following Sunday. From the moment I really acknowledged the question to someone other than my Heavenly Father, and myself, I knew that I had my answer. I knew what the Lord wanted me to do.

Missionary work holds a special place for all of us.  Many of you here are returned missionaries or hoping to meet a returned missionary. Or both!  Virtually all of us trace our Church roots to some missionaries somewhere.  For me, I don’t have to search too far back….

My English grandparents are converts to the Church. Among the missionaries that taught in their home was Stephen R. Covey. My granddad wrote down their conversion story and I’d like to share some of it with you. He said...

"We had only recently moved into our first house which we had bought on Firbank Road, Baguley, in Wythenshawe. The year was probably 1952 or 1953. 

On a day in 1953 I had taken a few days leave from work in order to build a brick goal bunker at the rear of the house. 

I was laying bricks in constructing the coal bunker when there was a knock on our front door. It was two missionaries from the Church. We invited them in and heard what they had to say. This became the start of a process of being taught the gospel. At this time Olga and I were long time members of the Congregational Church. I was the Sunday school super-intendant and Olga was a Sunday school teacher and captain of the Church girls' brigade. Our very good friends were Frank, the minister, and his wife Eleanor, with whom we had been close although they were much older than us. This background provided us with a strong background of discipleship and knowledge of Jesus Christ and his works.

The thing which impressed us about the missionaries as much as anything was their interpretation of the scriptures which we found to be novel and revealing.

The missionaries came again the following week and Olga prepared some supper for us. They continued to come and engaged us in discussions, following the missionary teaching plan which was in use at the time. 

After approximately a year Olga decided to be baptised and in 1954 entered the waters of baptism. Such a step did not harm our relationship because we had a loving caring relationship based on our love for each other which was strong enough to face the challenge. 

I continued in attending the Congregational Church and acting as the Sunday school super-intendant. We both enjoyed a good relationship with a number of the young people at the Congregational Church, some of whom continued to visit us. Two particular friends were Alan and Harold Crookell, who were Sunday school teachers as well as being players with me on the Church soccer team.

Discussions with Alan and Harold took place at our home. Harold reached the same point that I had. This was that the Mormon interpretation of the scriptures seemed to make more sense than the orthodox exegesis. 

I had forgone my own baptism at the same time as Olga because of my 'calling' at the Congregational church and an instinctive feeling that I should retain my contact with these young people to share what I had with them.

Eventually Harold and I were baptised on the same evening and became members of the Wythenshawe branch along with Olga. Subsequently several of our young friends from the Congregational church were taught and became members of the church also. I think there were about 7 or 8 of them. 

As with Olga and I we were all touched by the Spirit, our realisations of who we were were ignited. We all felt it strong enough to take that leap of faith and take a loving Heavenly Father at his word to feel of his blessings when we follow his counsel."

Since deciding to serve a mission, I have had moments where my nerves get the better of me and I think to myself… “why am I really doing this?” Then I think back to the conversion story of my Nana and Granddad. I wonder, what if the missionaries hadn’t knocked on my grandparent’s door? My grandparents might not have joined the church. If they hadn’t joined the Church, my Granddad wouldn’t have been called as a mission president, my parents would not of met – yes, my parents are the “AP and the Mission President’s daughter” but that’s a story for another time - and my family would not be sealed for all eternity. I am so grateful to those missionaries who went to serve in England and knocked on my grandparent’s door.  When I enter the MTC this Wednesday, all five of my Nana and Grandad’s “American” grandkids will be serving as full-time missionaries.

When I went home to England for Christmas, we had a family home evening organized by my aunt all about missionary work, as my younger brother and I were both preparing to leave on our missions. Near the end of the evening, she surprised us with messages from my other brother, Zach, and our two cousins, Matthew and Tyler. I would like to read a bit from each of their messages and their insights into life as a missionary.

My cousin Tyler’s message to us was: “Missionary life is going quite awesome. I'm grateful for the gospel that's in our lives and how we can share it with others. I'm really excited for the missions that Emily and Jake will be serving in! I know that no matter where we serve that we are representatives of the lord Jesus Christ and that he will help us with this work because it is in fact his work. I know the lord sends us to where we are because it's where we are suppose to be.”

My cousin Matt’s message to us was: “I am very excited to have 2 more cousins entering the mission field. These are very exciting times for the church. Missionary work is not the easiest but it is the most rewarding. There is 1 thing I have been striving to do on my mission and that is the challenge to "become". The principle is very general but it has been something that has changed my whole mission. We must now become what the Lord needs us to be, so that we can do the Lord's work not only now, but for the rest of our lives. So as you prepare for your missions, have in mind what you want to become and how you want your mission to change who you are - for the better! There is a quote I heard not too long ago that is now officially my favorite quote. It says "when you expect greatness, you become greatness." We are the offspring of the Most High God, with an eternal inheritance to become like him. We have the capabilities and capacities to become great.”

Finally, the message from my brother Zach: “I miss you all but being on a mission is so great! I can’t believe it’s already been 6 months! Pretty soon it will be a year, and then Matt and Tyler will almost be home. Like I said, time really flies. Especially as a missionary! Missionary work is so great. The whole church has caught the vision of the work of salvation and it’s great to hear from you all some of the things going on in England to push the work forward. And now we are going to have 5 missionaries out at once!!! …I’m so excited for Emily and Jake to start their missions! Even just the short time I’ve been out, I’ve learned more than imaginable! Missions really do change lives! We’re called to a specific place for a reason to bless lives there, but the nice benefit of mission is how much you grow as a byproduct of your service!”

President Spencer W. Kimball said, “The gospel knows no nationality. All people in the world are the sons and daughters of God. They are all our brothers and sisters. And we are anxious to fulfill the obligation of the Lord Jesus Christ when he gave us that basic command, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).”

As many of you know, I have been called to the Hungary, Budapest Mission. I have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions since my decision to serve a full-time mission. Right before I opened my call, you can ask many people, I was a nervous wreck. However, after I read my call and found out I was going to Hungary, I felt such a feeling of peace. I knew that my call came from Heavenly Father and that I was supposed to go and teach the people of Hungary. Though I am still nervous, I am anxious to start this new journey.

I am grateful for the examples that have been set for me by my close friends and family, especially my two younger brothers, who are currently serving missions…I have spoken often of these 6 missionaries that I have out now. I am grateful for the examples of my cousins, aunts and uncles and wonderful friends who have returned from serving missions and shown me the true blessings that come from missionary work. And most of all I am eternally grateful for the example of my parents. Their examples of faith and devotion to this church are one of the main reasons that I am standing here today.

I know that this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and that he atoned for each and every one of our sins. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that through him the fullness of the gospel was restored to the earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God today. I am grateful for my knowledge of Eternal Families. I am grateful that those missionaries knocked on my grandparent’s door all those years ago.

As I mentioned earlier, I know that we can all be missionaries, even if we do not serve a full-time mission. Being a member missionary is just as important. I tried to ignore the promptings I had to do missionary work for a long time. But they were all for silly reasons. The prophet and apostles have told us all the importance of missionary work and that we should “catch the wave.” We should all “catch the wave” and strive to be missionaries any way that we can.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Farewell Lunch: