Home MTC

Home MTC has evolved since its inception during COVID. What started out as a necessary way to train missionaries for the field under pandemic conditions has become a way to allow missionaries to slowly acclimate to missionary life while blessing their families with having a missionary in their home. 

We were fortunate to have Brendan for 10 days of home MTC. It was a bit of a learning experience for him and for us, since it has changed since Caleb experienced it. However, he had a positive overall experience coupling learning with enriching family time. We were able to participate as a family in a couple of his MTC devotionals, and he was able to share with us some of the things he was experiencing and learning during our family scripture time in the evenings. It was wonderful to see him connecting with his first companion, Elder Esplin, and his district who are all going to Hong Kong.  

We were also able to spoil him for just a bit longer. For the first day of regular classes on July 8th, we got him donuts since he will not have those in Hong Kong. 

It was fun to see him create his MTC learning space in the basement. Now, we all recognize the Hong Kong flag.

We were also able to have some time to get out together. One of Elder Jerdon's requests was to get gooeys from Dockside. Caleb had also wanted to introduce Josie to gooeys, so right after Josie and I returned from our backpacking trip, we headed to Dockside for dinner. 

Since Elder Jerdon now had to get up early (compared to his old schedule of staying up until 3am and sleeping until 11am), I was able to make him breakfast and hang out with him during his meal times. I even planned lunches at 10:30am when he was on break even though it was sort of early for the rest of us. One day, I brought him sushi from Fred Meyer. He was not complaining. 

He also enjoyed getting to play games with his brothers. 

Sundays were also a treat and class free for him.

He was also able to help and connect with our own local elders assigned to the Sunrise ward. 

I have loved both times that we have had home MTC. The Spirit is in our home that much more, and we are blessed to be taught by our own missionary. I know that Elder Jerdon will be amazing.