Week 3 in the MTC, heading to Halifax Tuesday

Hey everybody! This week was really good and totally flew by! My time at the MTC is pretty much over! I fly out Tuesday morning at 4:45. I can't believe it's already here but I'm super excited. 

Last Sunday Elder Atkins and I taught the lesson in Priesthood. We didn't really wanna spend too much time planning so we kind of just winged it and it went pretty well. Then we went through the rest of our Sunday meetings. This time wasn't as bad as our first Sunday, but still a really long day. We ended the day with a devotional and then watched a film called Legacy about the pioneers. 

On Monday we got up early and did service again, then went to class and watched a demo teach where we watched some teachers role play a lesson. I learn a lot when we get to watch them. Before coming here I didn't realize how much you really get to know people before just teaching them. A good chunk of the first lesson is getting to know them and seeing what they need. Later on Monday Elder Atkins and I started teaching Jacob our second TRC. Our lesson went really well, we spent most of it getting to know him and then taught him about prayer. 

Tuesday was a great day! In class we did a little discussion/testimony meeting, it was really spiritual. Then we did a lesson where we got a bio and had to hurry and prepare a 45 minute lesson to role play teach. I was surprised but we did it pretty easily. 

Tuesday night we had another devotional and it was amazing! We were in the choir again and that's always good. The speaker was Elder D. Todd Christopherson and his wife. Elder Christopherson talked about the announcement that we need to stop using the nicknames Mormon and LDS and instead use the full name of our church. Something that he said that stuck out was - This is not a name change, it's a course correction. We need to use the name the Lord gave this Church. Having an apostle come speak was one of the coolest things since I've been here. It was broadcast to all the MTCs around the world and everyone here was hyped to find out who was speaking. 

Wednesday was another good day. All the new people get here on Wednesdays so it's fun to see how they are and think all the way back to 2 1/2 weeks ago when that was me. We met with Jacob again and read the Book of Mormon with him. It was our last TRC lesson ever. My next lesson will be the real deal. Wednesday night we were the example missionaries for "People and Your Purpose" it's a workshop every new missionary goes to on the first night to see what a lesson is like. Our district got chosen cause I guess we're the best or something. For that we just demonstrated the beginning of a lesson with a TRC person and then the group of 70 or so new missionaries finished it. 

Thursday and Friday were both really nice. We were done with lessons so we didn't really have to do anything other than class. We got to schedule nap time both days and that was a great time. A highlight from Thursday was playing Trashketball and HORSE while jamming to some hymns with Elder Atkins and Elder Hilton during a chunk of free time. 

The highlight of yesterday was the workshop we had. It was about working with members and getting referrals. So to teach that they did a play. Elder Atkins, Sister Wheeler and I got to be in it. I was a ward missionary and I referred my zumba teacher and showed some moves. 

During one of our meals this week we had a revelation - 2% milk and root beer mixed is actually good. Seriously, it tastes like the end of a root beer float. This week was really fun and went by fast. Some of the best times here are hanging out in the residence at night talking and meeting all the Elders. I'm going to miss the MTC! 

Talk to you next week from Canada! Love you all!

Elder Tait

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Elder Tait - week 2 blogpost

Hi Everyone - I am finally set up and ready to roll. (Thanks Nate and Troy!!) 

You may have seen this post already - either on facebook, an email from me on Saturday or if you were already subscribed to the blog. Sorry if you are getting it again, I'm just finally getting organized.

if you are getting this message then you have been added to the email list for weekly updates. If you would rather not be on the list just let me know and I'll fix that :) 

If you know of others that would like to be on the list have them let me know or they can go to the blog - elderconnertait.blogspot.com and subscribe and should get the weekly emails. 

Have a great day!!

Sheri 

Elderconnertait.blogspot.com

Hey everybody! I made it through my first full week in the MTC! This week was super good and fun. Sunday was one of the longest days of my life. I wasn't thinking very smart and for some reason I thought that a Sunday on a mission in the MTC would be really relaxing and easy. I couldn't have been more wrong haha. We had to be in our classrooms at 7 a.m. to write talks incase we were the lucky missionaries to get to speak in our branch Sacrament. After that we ate and then had Priesthood, district meeting and Sacrament. I was falling asleep during Sacrament meeting and was so happy when it was over and we could go eat lunch, but then I found out we had another meeting before lunch. It was rough haha. After lunch we had a few more meetings and then dinner. Later that night was a devotional and then we watched a movie of a talk by David A. Bednar "The Character of Christ" that was the highlight of the day and was really good, even after an entire day of class and meetings. 

After the first couple days of learning the ropes and having non stop meetings and classes we had a pretty open schedule this week. Monday morning we did service which was cleaning one of the buildings, we had to do all kinds of stuff and even wiped down the bottom of the walls. We made it pretty fun though by sitting in wheely chairs and racing down the hall while holding a rag on it. The rest of the day was pretty normal with class but we also taught a lesson and had some free time. Our lesson went well and it was pretty cool to practice teaching. Tuesday was pretty much the same but that night we had a devotional. Elder Kearon and his wife came and spoke. His talk was good, but I kind of felt bad cause I was in the choir and my solo kinda stole the show. Ha, just kidding but his and his wives talks were really good. Wednesday was another day of class and we taught a second lesson with our friend from Monday. We played sand volleyball as a district that day and other than the sand burning our feet off it was really fun. 

Our district is super tight and we do pretty much everything together. 

Thursday and yesterday were good too. Both days had the same schedule and both were fun. Thursday night basketball was really fun. Me and Elder Atkins went and played basketball with some good players. (Love our district but they can't ball). I got to play with my cousin Elder Day and when we teamed up it was easy wins. Him and Elder Madson have also converted me to Cactus Cooler, it's a really good soda they have here in the vending machines. Yesterday we met a new friend to teach next week his name is Jacob. I'm excited to get to know him more and teach him next week! We also played sand volleyball last night and after when we were all sweaty me, Elder Atkins, Johnson, Smith, Hilton and Boekweg had shower karaoke. Someone said a song and we would harmonize as best we could. Some of our hits were Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy and Party in the USA. It's been a great week here at the MTC and I'm learning a ton but still have a lot to learn. 

Pretty crazy that I fly out next tuesday the 28! I'm excited to get out there, but am loving it here! Talk to you next week! Love you all! 

Elder Tait

mtc district 

Sand volleyball with mtc district 

Elders and Sisters going to the Canada, Halifax Mission

First Sunday in the MTC and second week...

Hey everybody! I made it through my first full week in the MTC! This week was super good and fun. Sunday was one of the longest days of my life. I wasn't thinking very smart and for some reason I thought that a Sunday on a mission in the MTC would be really relaxing and easy. I couldn't have been more wrong haha. We had to be in our classrooms at 7 a.m. to write talks incase we were the lucky missionaries to get to speak in our branch Sacrament Meeting. After that we ate and then had Priesthood, district meeting and Sacrament. I was falling asleep during Sacrament meeting and was so happy when it was over and we could go eat lunch, but then I found out we had another meeting before lunch. It was rough haha. After lunch we had a few more meetings and then dinner. Later that night was a devotional and then we watched a movie of a talk by David A. Bednar "The Character of Christ" that was the highlight of the day and was really good, even after an entire day of class and meetings.
After the first couple days of learning the ropes and having non stop meetings and classes we had a pretty open schedule this week. Monday morning we did service which was cleaning one of the buildings, we had to do all kinds of stuff and even wiped down the bottom of the walls. We made it pretty fun though by sitting in wheely chairs and racing down the hall while holding a rag on it. The rest of the day was pretty normal with class but we also taught a lesson and had some free time. Our lesson went well and it was pretty cool to practice teaching. Tuesday was pretty much the same but that night we had a devotional. Elder Kearon and his wife came and spoke. His talk was good, but I kind of felt bad cause I was in the choir and my solo kinda stole the show. Ha, just kidding but his and his wives talks were really good. Wednesday was another day of class and we taught a second lesson with our friend from Monday. We played sand volleyball as a district that day and other than the sand burning our feet off it was really fun.
Our district is super tight and we do pretty much everything together.
Thursday and yesterday were good too. Both days had the same schedule and both were fun. Thursday night basketball was really fun. Me and Elder Atkins went and played basketball with some good players. (Love our district but they can't ball). I got to play with my cousin Elder Day and when we teamed up it was easy wins. Him and Elder Madson have also converted me to Cactus Cooler, it's a really good soda they have here in the vending machines. Yesterday we met a new friend to teach next week his name is Jacob. I'm excited to get to know him more and teach him next week! We also played sand volleyball last night and after when we were all sweaty me, Elder Atkins, Johnson, Smith, Hilton and Boekweg had shower karaoke. Someone said a song and we would harmonize as best we could. Some of our hits were Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy and Party in the USA. It's been a great week here at the MTC and I'm learning a ton but still have a lot to learn.
Pretty crazy that I fly out next tuesday the 28! I'm excited to get out there, but am loving it here! Talk to you next week! Love you all! 

Elder Tait

Elders & Sisters going to Halifax, Canada

Elder Tait's MTC District

Sand Volleyball with MTC District

Things are great in the MTC!!

Hey everyone it’s Elder Tait! Things are great here in the MTC! Wednesday was rough and one of the hardest days of my life but that night I prayed that I’d be able to feel better and settle in and everything is so much better now! 

My companion's name is Elder Atkins. He’s from Palmer,Alaska. He’s a cool guy and we’re becoming really good friends. He played basketball in high school so he’s pretty good. Last night we had our first exercise time and played basketball with our district. Me and elder Atkins were on the same team in 3 on 3 (dream team) and were the only good athletes in our district. He threw down a dunk when the people in charge weren’t watching which was cool. I didn’t want to get in trouble or I would have dunked ;) 

I’ve already learned so much in a super short time here. Tonight we’re already teaching a lesson. The guy we’re teaching is actually a teacher not an actual person to teach but still kinda cool. We prepared a 30 minute lesson which I never could have done before I got here. One big thing I’ve learned the first few days is that when you’re meeting a person to teach ask meaningful questions to get to know them. You have to love the people you are teaching or you won’t be guided by the spirit so we have been practicing just getting to know people. Its different to just walk up to a random person and talk to them. 

One funny story from last night - there’s a vending machine in our hall with ice cream and stuff. So elder Atkins bought one and his came out and another one hung on the edge. We shook the machine to try and make it fall but nothing happened. So then elder Boekweg our district leader bought one to try and get 2. There was like 8 elders in a tiny room trying to watch. The machine started and pushed one out and another one came to the edge but didn’t fall. We all laughed and were sad, but then this other elder came and bought one and by now there were probably 15 elders in the room to watch. The machine pushed his out and kept going and the extra one fell out! We were all super pumped. Kinda stupid but funny if you're in the MTC. 

The church is true talk to you next Saturday!

Love, Elder Tait

These are the pictures he sent - his district is made up of elders and sisters going to many different missions.  

Elder(s) Tait, Atkins - going to Halifax

Johnson, Smith, Boekweg & O'Very - going to Edmonton

Hilton, Schrank - going to Ventura California

Hansen, Dastrup - going to Zimbabwe 

Sister Wheeler and Peterson - going to Orlando.

He is on the same floor as his cousin Elder Jaxson Day and has seen his other cousin Elder Braxton Cutler a couple of times, so that's fun! 

He doesn't have a phone until he gets to Canada and buys one, but they gave him an iPad to use while in the MTC. He can read emails anytime and is able to respond on p-day. He also said that Brother and Sister Chestnut are in his branch presidency which is really exciting because they were the Mission President to his cousin Elder Tait Day in the Reno, Nevada mission and Tait loved them so much! In talking to the Chestnuts he gave him some great advice about two years not being as long if you don't focus on it like that. 

Today they have been to the temple, done some emailing and then got to go and play some frisbee, spike ball and get some exercise. The food is pretty good, he has eaten with Elder Hansen and also with Elder Duffin and that was fun. He writes in his journal more than he thought he would which is awesome so he can tell us about all his adventures and experiences. He sounds so great - said it was really hard the first day and has gotten better each day and he loves his district and is starting to love it in the MTC. I love P-day!!!! So great to be able to email and see pictures of what he is doing and to be reminded once again that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. Have a great week everyone! 

Wednesday, August 8,  Elder Tait entered the MTC to begin his missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He will be serving in the Canada, Halifax mission. We are so excited for him, but it was an extra hard day. Saying goodbye is so hard, and even after doing the same thing with Chelsey and Lindsey, it doesn't get any easier. I think it was even harder because we knew what was coming. Anxiety and emotions were high with all of us. I can only describe it as miserable joy, the best, worst day ever...a little feeling like your heart is going to break into a million pieces and multiplied because you know exactly what's coming and how hard it is for those few minutes when you have to say goodbye and see you soon and love you so much. It's really the worst day in the world for a little bit, but then you get an email that says "I'm ok, I made it, I'm happy, all the tears have stopped and I'll talk to you soon. That makes everything right in the world again. No doubt about it, that day was tough! So hard to send my baby boy (who grew up too fast), but will always be my little buddy, off on a mission. I'm going to miss him so much - we are all going to miss him so much, but at the same time we are so excited for him and the experiences he will have, the people he will meet and the hearts he can touch. I know there are people waiting to hear the message he has to share, people waiting specifically for him to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives. What a blessing to have this opportunity. I love the gospel and knowing he is going to share this joy with others makes it a little easier. I am so blessed by his example, his strength and his willingness to serve. He will do great things and we will all be fine. Just had to get the goodbye behind us.

He sent us a message letting us know that his companion is Elder Atkins - from Alaska and his p-day is Saturday. So, more news tomorrow, but in the meantime here is his MTC address and his email...

Conner.tait@myldsmail.net

Elder Conner Stevens Tait
AUG28 CAN-HAL
2005 N. 900 # Unit 89
Provo, UT 84602

I know he would love to hear from you if you want to drop him a note in the mail, or you can go to dearelder.com where you can type a letter that he will receive the same day when he goes to dinner, if you send it before 12:00 p.m. That's kind of a fun way to get mail and you don't have to get a stamp or make a trip to the post office.

That's all for now...back tomorrow after we hear from Elder Tait on his first p-day. Can't wait!!!