Mission or Bust, we passed the MTC

You can't read it, but the door tag says "we have left on our mission"  This is the tag they have you place on your door when you check out. 

It has been an amazing week.  It just got better as the week went by.  I can't describe the feelings Shelley and I had teaching the "investigators".  It was like neither of us were doing the talking.  The setup is this:  The MTC has volunteers who come to be pretend investigators and we teach them a lesson.  First we get to know them, and then we teach them.  We didn't know if they were making up their life story or if it was real.  We have a coach who is watching the teaching on camera and then gives us feedback after.  It was extremely scary and we both felt inadequate to teach a lesson.  Our first lesson was on the restoration of the gospel, and we were given 45 minutes to get-to-know-you and then teach.  A buzzer went off at the time limit.  It was an humbling experience beyond description how you can be in a "make believe" situation and have the spirit be so strong.  The next lesson was on the Plan of Salvation, and again the same set-up and this time the spirit was even stronger.  After we left, our investigator was still on camera and our coach said that she had to go get tissues as she was so emotional, something he had never seen before.  

The day (Friday) ended with a meeting with all the couples and we watched a message from Elder Holland.  We also were afforded the opportunity to share anything about our experience.  Shelley and I were much too emotional to speak, but a few were brave enough to share their thoughts.  One Elder said it best, that he had never been in a place where the Spirit was so strong every day.  He said that sure you get fed at church or studying the scriptures, but to have the Spirit with you 24/7 was an amazing experience.  

We can't believe that we spent just 4 long days with these couples and find that we have made some life long friends.  The spirit of the gospel is strong indeed.  We all have one purpose, to serve the Lord.