MTC Reflections

These are some notes I was reviewing from the MTC. Brother & Sister Hawkes spoke to our district about their missions & some of the things they'd learned. They didn't exactly preside over the Indonesia Mission but were there for 3 years preparing the area and making friends for the church. After he retired they served 2 other missions. He was a doctor & they lived in the Bay Area for over 40 years. They knew Mom & many of the Laupers. Here are a few things I gleaned from their outstanding presentation.

Don't just fulfill your calling. Find other things to do to fill extra hours:

•Get to know & love the members. Be a friend to them. 

•Look for service projects you can work together on with members

•Gain the respect of local leadership

•Use the handbook 

•When they love & trust you they'll accept your counsel

•They'll need simple teaching techniques

•Magnify your calling

•Be involved in helping young missionaries 

•Accept extra assignments

•Support EVERY baptism

Think outside the box:

•Make friends everywhere you go

•Get involved with those around you

•Get them to teach you their ways

•Appreciate local attractions

•Go with new friends to see & do things

•Always look for the good 

What are your resources & skills?

Are there needs I can fulfill?

Do I have talents/skills to share?

Get involved in the community

Look for ways to interact with others

•Introduce yourself

•Small acts of service

•Neighborhood get togethers

•Community events 

•Chldren's activities

•Service with other churches or organizations

•Health improvement or a health club

•Volunteer at schools

•Become a resident. Mentally move there

•Make it your home

•Use resources to fulfill your purposes 

•Keep in touch with people after returning home

•Read promises in your mission call

This is painted on a building in Marksville. 

Unfortunately it isn't going to show up the way I'd hoped, but it says:"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects that which never was and never will be." Thomas Jefferson 

What I love about this, in addition to the quote itself, is that it depicts, in small ways, much of this area--especially the cypress trees, water & little wooden boats.