The Training of the Missionaries

So let's be honest, we're all just waiting for the wedding pictures to get here so that we can really get things rollin on this sweet blog.

Until then, here's a quick highlight of the amazing job that Andrew has had for the past 8 months:

The greatest (and most coveted) job in all of Utah is teaching at the MTC. Pretty much, you get paid to go on your mission again. Except this time you can go home to a gorgeous wife at night and watch the Cougars dominate everyone. Win-win. Win.

This was my very first district at the MTC. Luckily for me they were a lot of fun and easy-going. Which was good cause I had no idea what I was doing. Sister Schoeffler (middle sister) is currently serving in Ma & Pa's ward in NJ. Kinda way cool. Both her and Elder Howell (far right) were converts. That made every class super exciting and interesting.

This was my third district (I forgot my camera for my second). They were definitely one of the most memorable. Possibly the best. They went to Riverside, CA & Tempe, AZ. I definitely learned more from them then they learned from me. Missing from the picture is Elder Terry. After two days he decided he didn't have what it takes and went home. He recently returned to the MTC and has entered the field.

 

District 4 was quite the contrast from my favorite Riverside Elders. These 12 did not want to focus or be reverent. They were a lot of fun and very entertaining though. They went to LA & South Africa.

These Elders went to Hawaii and are also possibly my favorite. They loved to pick on me, but it was so funny I couldn't get angry at them. They were definitely some of the best teachers I've ever worked with.  Elder Penitani (far left) introduced himself the first day by saying, "You'll never forget me." He was right.

This was the district I was teaching when I proposed to Lacie. So they knew about it before she did. Having Sisters in the district definitely keeps the Elders in line. This was another one of my favorites. They went to Detroit & Pittsburgh. They've also written me more than any other district.

These Elders and Sisters were an incredible example of the kind of turn-around that can occur at the MTC. They amazed me. The first two weeks they wouldn't participate in class and did not improve their teaching. One day during their last week they just turned everything around and turned into incredible missionaries. 

This was another unruly bunch, but they knew when to calm down and listen. I ended up liking them a lot. They even wrote me my own verse to the song "Book of Mormon Stories"

Another possible favorite. This group went to Australia & South Dakota. I was amazed at how dedicated they were and how much they craved to improve. They were constantly asking what they could do better. Elder Barnes (my immediate right) had to wait for his visa to clear, so he got sent to MESA ARIZONA!!! Elder Ball (far left) got sent home because of knee problems. As of today, he was cleared to enter the field Monday, October 24th.

This was the district I was teaching when I left for the summer on my East Coast-to-West Coast in-one-week domination party. They were a good group. I was also impressed with them and was sad to not be with them for their last week.

Basically, the thing to remember is that I love teaching at the MTC. I love the missionaries the Lord blesses me to work with. Sometimes I'm jealous of them when they leave for the field. But then I see Lacie and remember how much better I have it now.