In partial honor to my impending arrival to the MTC and partially because I found this awesome inforgraphic (I just learned that that's what they are called) I wanted to do a little post about the MTC.
Before I actually got my call, I did a lot of MTC research. I found soooo many useful tips and tricks. I wish I could give credit where it is due but I'm pulling these out of a word document I made and I didn't site blogs there. Just know they aren't mine. The commentary on the tips, however, is mine. After I leave the MTC I'll make my own list of tips and tricks. But anyways...
Here are my favorites:
1. If you are learning a foreign language study before! At least learn the sounds of their alphabets. Try learning religious terms and phrases too. And don't get discouraged. It won't all come at once. Just try your best and work your hardest!
2. Snacks: Bring your own snacks (granola bars, microwave popcorn and such). Grab fruit from the cafeteria- you can eat it later! gum is highly discouraged...so bring mints.
3. You might not get a P-Day your first week. Make sure you have at least 10 outfits/ pairs of G's.
4. Make a workout book! (I've already made one. I went on pinterest and found a bunch of easy workouts and then printed them all out and put them in my missionary binder)
5. Bring a warm, comfy blanket from home. According to my brother the MTC blankets are gross. And it can get chilly at night.
6.You are given a card to get you in and out of buildings. You use it A LOT. Buy a cute lanyard. Or a retracting ID reel. And bring a ring to attach your key to a clip.
7. Stay away from the Orange Juice!
8. Exercise in the 2M gym under the bookstore. It's more private and a lot nicer! With treadmills etc! They also play the Joseph Smith movie on repeat! (I'm pretty sure this tip was from Bella in Berlin)
9. Go to the salad bar line in the MTC and order a tortilla, just put cheese on it and microwave it. Mixes up what you are eating.
10. Tie ribbons to your suitcase so you know which one is yours
11. Take a picture in front of the world map! It's by the cafeteria.
and here are a few from my brother who just left the MTC a few weeks ago...
12. Take the bunk farthest from the door and with the most walls surrounding it (he thought that was the best one). He also recommends the top bunk.
13. Bring shower sandals, a pillow and a pillow case
14. See "Character of Christ" video by Elder Bednar the first Sunday you can. Then see it near the end of your stay. The dichotomy between interpretations each time you watch it is interesting
15. Read a lot of church history stuff before you come and brush up on it. There are no resources in the MTC for that.
The infographic is called "Preparation With a Purpose: Life in a Mormon Missionary Training Center". I love it! This brakes down what missionaries do in the MTC so perfectly. And then gives some other information about missionary Training Centers as well. Perfect for explaining the MTC to all my non-member friends.
Hi! I've been keeping up with your blog and I ADORE IT. I just got my mission call a few days ago and this MTC post has been especially helpful. I'm so excited for you to go on your mission! I was just wondering something, you might not know the answer but I figured I'd ask. When you leave on your mission will you be updating this blog with letters? If you will are you going to be doing that yourself on P Days, or are you going to have a friend or family member do that for you? I don't know what's allowed and what isn't!
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much! That means a lot to me. Congratulations where are you going? When you you report?
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question..right now I don't think there are two many missions that actually missionaries update their own blogs. So after I leave I am going to hand over my blog to my dad. Then, when I send emails home he will just post them along with pictures and anything I send to him too. That's what he is doing with my brother. He is serving in Tahiti!
if you have any other questions let me know! I'm not an expert but between my brother and all the other blogs I've read I might be able to help! And I'll be in the MTC soon too so I could always tell you something once I get there.
I'm going to the Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission! I report to the Provo MTC January 1, 2014. Not sure if you'll still be in there once I get there! But it would be cool if you were!
ReplyDeleteThat makes so much sense, I was wondering what would be the best way to keep people informed once you start your mission.
Yeah! I'll definitely let you know if I have any more questions!
Congratulations!! Como estas? They do speak spanish right? How are you feeling? When I got my mission call I was in total shock. Never did I think Japan would be where I was going. It took me a while to get excited. But now I am sooo excited and cannot wait to get there. Or the MTC for that matter.
DeleteI will be in the MTC when you get there! I am there until January 20th at least. That is my expected departure date.
They do speak Spanish! When I read where I was going literally the only thing I felt was fear. The thing about different countries is that the government is so different and you never really know if it'll be safe to live there. My family is from Venezuela, another South American country, so I'm familiar with that government, which is not very good. I think that's why I was so scared. BUT, now I am more excited than anything! I'm just in a rush to get everything I need since I report to the MTC in 2 months! But on the bright side, buying clothes for a place that's super hot is really easy haha. And woohoo! I'll be at the MTC Jan 1-22 as long as my VISA goes through in time. I hope I get to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI've never really experienced countries where it's not so safe (Canada and Norway are pretty clean), But I know exactly what you are talking about! My grandpa reminds me every time that I see him that Japan "isn't the US" and that it could be dangerous and so forth. But I've never been too worried about it. As long as we are being obedient and following all our mission rules with exactness the Lord is going to protect us.
DeleteI wouldn't be too worried about your visa. I think it is easier for sisters to get them than Elders. And Brazil is been the country everyone has been having problems with. i'll keep my fingers crossed for you! And maybe say a prayer or two as well...
You are so lucky you only have to shop for one climate! I have to have clothes for all 4 seasons. And I don't think I will be doing that in 8 to 10 outfits..which is bad. But I'd rather over pack and send things home than try to find things in Japan.
That would be soo fun to meet in the MTC! When new missionaries arrive they are welcomed by missionaries already there. I'll be a pro by then so maybe I can be on the "welcoming committee" the day you report!
P.s.
DeleteI love your blog! You're awesome!
That's so true about being obedient! I've just been so overwhelmed with feelings and information that I think I'm forgetting some really basic principles! I just got my VISA application so I'm trying to get that in before December just to be safe, but prayers would be sooo helpful, thank you!
ReplyDeleteAt first I was sad I was going somewhere where it wasn't ever going to be cold, Fall and Winter have always been my favorites! But it has been a lot easier to find clothes so I'm grateful :). Have you begun learning Japanese on your own? Learning different languages is so much fun, you're going to have a great time in the MTC.
YES! Be a pro and meet me January 1st! If not, I'll just search you out :). And thank you! Some days I have really cool stories to tell people and I figured the best way to tell them would be through a blog. Writing is so much fun I might as well do it in my free time.
I am so jealous you only get warm weather! I am not a big fan of the cold. At all. I've been trying to learn Japanese but it is acrazy language and NOTHING like romance languages (which I pick up pretty quickly). I love languages though so I am excited for the oppertunity and the challenge!
DeleteOk I report tomorrow so I won't have access to this blog anymore. When you know when you are reporting (time) DearElder me or email me. All my contact information is under my write me page.
Wish me luck! And I can't wait to hear back from you so I can (hopefully) be there to welcome you!