She's a Card-Carrying Member!

(From my journal)

Even though there was a "No Travel Advised" warning for Highway 83 between Minot and Bismarck and that we saw three overturned vehicles on our drive, we made our scheduled appointment at the Bismarck Temple tonight with Corina.  President and Sister Russell Osgulthorpe greeted us a the door and they could not have been more loving or focused on our daughter.  We meet in the temple president's office for a few minutes and I loved to see Sister Osgulthorpe driving the conversation as President Osgulthorpe listened.  She escorted Corina and Raena to the Initiatory and then we met up again in the Endowment Room.  The session was very small - other than us, there were two other sisters and President Osgulthorpe.  Consequently, we were asked to be the witness couple.  It also meant that I would not be able to stand with Corina in the prayer circle but no worries, President Osgulthorpe was a qualified substitute!

Unlike other recently-departing missionaries, there wasn't a huge ward family (or family, for that matter) to meet Corina when she entered the Celestial Room - just us.  And that was fine (although we certainly missed having other family and friends there).  It gave us an opportunity to visit with her and quietly discuss her experience.  Raena and I (briefly) celebrated having a third child receive his/her endowments but we know that it is just the beginning.  The real measure of their agency will be if they endure faithfully to the end.

Mexico MTC - TONINI/CORINA

I got my itinerary information today!

From: USMissions 
Date: Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 4:01 PM
Subject: Mexico MTC - TONINI/CORINA
To: CORINA TONINI

Please read through this instruction sheet before you depart for Mexico. Carry a printed copy of it and your itinerary with you to the Mexico MTC.

MEXICO MTC TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS

NAMETAGS- You will be issued nametags upon arrival at the Mexico MTC.

PACKING– Your carry-on bag should contain a clean shirt, socks, garments, etc. in case your bags do not arrive as scheduled. By being prepared, you can still look professional even though you may not have full use of your clothing.

VISA/IMMIGRATION INFORMATION – Your passport will be stamped with a visa by an immigration official at the Mexico City Airport. FMM- A portion of the completed FMM document will be given back to you. Please ensure the validity is 180 days and keep it in a safe place, preferably in your passport, until you depart Mexico. When departing Mexico City en route to your mission, you will need to give that portion of the FMM to the airline or face paying additional fees and possible delays in departing the country.

If you have not yet sent a readable copy of your passport ID page to the Church Travel Office, please do so now.

AIRPORT PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS-Once you arrive in Mexico City, you will pass through Immigration, collect your baggage and be cleared through Customs. Please be courteous with all government and airline personnel.

A representative from the MTC will be outside of security at the airport to pick you up.  Please stay in a group with the other missionaries and avoid blocking the doorways. If you are unable to locate the representative, please refer to the emergency contact information below. DO NOT ACCEPT RIDES FROM INDIVIDUALS OR TAXI COMPANIES. 

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Your trip

Booking ref:

X6xxxx

Check My Trip

Issued date:

07 December 2016

Baggage Info

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Traveler

Corina Tonini (600603-M)

Agency

CHURCH TRAVEL CWT

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Tuesday 17 January 2017

United Airlines UA 4645

Departure

17 January 07:55 AM

Minot, (Minot Intl) (+)

Arrival

17 January 09:05 AM

Denver, (Denver International) (+)

Duration

02:10 (Non stop)

Distance

603 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Economy (Y)

Baggage allowance

2PC

Seat

11A (No smoking seat) confirmed for Corina Tonini

Equipment

EMBRAER RJ135/140/145

Operated by

Trans States Airlines Dba United Ex

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Tuesday 17 January 2017

United Airlines UA 1114

Departure

17 January 10:05 AM

Denver, (Denver International) (+)

Arrival

17 January 01:29 PM

Houston, (George Bush Intercont) (+)

Terminal: C

Duration

02:24 (Non stop)

Distance

861 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Business (D)

Baggage allowance

2PC

Seat

01B (No smoking seat) confirmed for Corina Tonini

Equipment

BOEING 737-900

Flight meal

Lunch

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Tuesday 17 January 2017

United Airlines UA 1090

Departure

17 January 02:21 PM

Houston, (George Bush Intercont) (+)

Terminal: E

Arrival

17 January 04:39 PM

Mexico City, (Benito Juarez Intl) (+)

Terminal: 1

Duration

02:18 (Non stop)

Distance

765 Miles

Booking status

Confirmed

Class

Business (D)

Baggage allowance

2PC

Seat

01B (No smoking seat) confirmed for Corina Tonini

Equipment

AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319

Flight meal

Lunch

Cómo se dice

I received an unexpected call today from the Missionary Department.  They did a phone assessment of my Spanish skills to see if I really needed to be in the Mexico City MTC or could go straight to Provo.  I was asked a few questions and then asked to bear my testimony in Spanish.  I was able to say a few basic things but I have the gospel vocabulary of a Primary child so it was pretty clear that I am not a native speaker.  Consequently, I am still going to Mexico City for my language training!  Yah!

LDS Church-owned Mexico high school becomes new MTC (Deseret News July 16, 2013)

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — The final class of approximately 650 students graduated from Benemerito de las Americas, an LDS Church-owned high school in Mexico City, on June 14 (2013). At the graduation ceremony, Elder Alfredo Miron, the school's final director and an Area Seventy, symbolically handed a large wooden "key to the campus" over to the new MTC President Carl Pratt. On the key was written the name of the school with the dates 1963-2013, indicating its "fifty years of teaching the youth of the Latter-day Saints." Under these dates was written 2013- Missionary Training Center, and the scripture, "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:73). 

On June 26, President Pratt and his wife, Sister Karen Pratt, welcomed their first group of about 100 newly set-apart missionaries, some of whom had graduated as high school students only a week-and-a-half earlier from the same campus. "I cannot believe it's only been 10 days since I graduated from this school," said one elder as he was entering the new MTC. "It's quite a special experience to be able to see the way in which the Lord transforms things in order to fulfill his work. 

"I can see now," he continued, "how this campus as a missionary training center will be used to bless even more people than it already has. It's worth every sacrifice. This is going to be an incredible work, and I'm looking forward to being able to serve the Lord as soon as I can." 

Fifty years ago, on Nov. 4, 1963, Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve broke ground for the school, named Benemerito de las Americas after the Mexican national hero Benito Juarez. Elder Romney stated, "This school for which we are breaking ground today is destined to become a great Spanish-speaking cultural center. Its influence will reach far beyond the valley of Mexico. ... It will be felt in all of Latin America, including South America. Hundreds of thousands of people will come here. Going out from here, they will help the nation build up its education, its culture and its spirituality. This school will prepare men for a better future here on the earth and for eternal life in the world to come. ... Those who attend will learn of the pre-earth life and of principles and practices which will prepare them for the life to come. ... It is my prayer," he continued, "that our Father in Heaven will bless ... the Mexican people; that they may come to an understanding of the real purpose of this institution." He then prayed that the Lord would, "turn all that is here done to the furtherance of Thy purposes, the salvation and exaltation of Thy children." 

Nearly 23,000 students have attended Benemerito since its inception nearly a half century ago. Over the years the school has provided education from elementary through high school. Beyond academics, the school became well known for a variety of its extracurricular activities including soccer, American football, karate, choir, band, basketball and, most especially, its folk dance team that traveled throughout Mexico and other countries. From this school have come political leaders, attorneys, doctors, teachers, businessmen, missionaries, mothers and fathers, bishops, Relief Society leaders, stake presidents and even General Authorities. 

In fact, of the current stake presidents serving in Mexico, 25 percent are alumni of Benemerito. Approximately 90 percent of the young men who have graduated from Benemerito over the last five years have served or are currently serving as missionaries. When asked how Benemerito has impacted his life, Abraham Martinez, the Seminary and Institute Area Director for Mexico and an Area Seventy replied, "Benemerito is my home. Benemerito is where I raised my family. Benemerito is my family." 

On Jan. 29, Elder Daniel Johnson, President of the Mexico Area, announced to students and faculty at Benemerito, and to those watching via satellite at chapels throughout Mexico the upcoming transition of the school into an MTC. To the emotional students, teachers, administrators and church members present, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve gently taught, "Tears are the price we pay for love." He then testified, "This is a dramatic moment in church history. You have lived to see your role in one of the most historic moments in the church." 

Although the closing of their beloved school comes at a great sacrifice to these Mexican Saints, the majority are pressing forward humbly, obediently and with great faith. Two weeks after the announcement, nearly 15,000 alumni joined together on the Benemerito campus in celebration of the school and to reunite as a family. 

"Benemerito to us here in Mexico is what BYU is to those in the United States," one alumnus explained. "All the members in Mexico know about this school. Most members in Mexico either attended Benemerito or have family members or close friends who did. Benemerito has raised the level of education, the economic standard, the leadership of its members and helped us become true disciples of Christ. Benemerito as a school has accomplished its role. Now we are ready for another role and we welcome the missionaries from all over the world." 

One student who will be returning to her family and needs to find a new school, said, faithfully, "I will happily give up my seat for a missionary and return home to be a light to my community." Another stated, "It's so humbling to know that the Lord trusts us enough to build an MTC here. I'm so grateful that I was ever given the opportunity to attend this school, even though it was only for a year, and I can't wait to come back as a missionary." With tears streaming down her face another young woman declared, "I always thought I'd be a part of the chosen generation, the generation of students who would graduate at the 50th anniversary. Now I realize I have been chosen for something greater, I am part of the generation chosen to sacrifice what I love for something even better for the Lord." 

Along with the closing of the school, the Mexico City Mexico Zarahemla Stake, which had served the campus for nearly 45 years, was officially disbanded at its final conference on June 2. The following week in the individual wards, bishoprics, auxiliary leaders and workers were all released. There were many tears shed as high school students and their leaders expressed their testimonies and commitment to follow the prophet. 

At the announcement of the new MTC, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve, said, "Instead of a few hundred being educated here at Benemerito, many thousands will be trained. Many of them will come from other countries. They will not only receive training, they will develop a love for Mexico, its language and its people. They will be pioneers in their missions. They will be leaders throughout the entire world." 

He continued, "This hallowed ground where we sit tonight will become more sacred with each passing year. Better, higher and holier purposes will be served in the future more than they've ever been before. Now, I don't know what the future will bring. I don't know when this story will end. Perhaps it will never end. It will continue on and on, more and more, higher and higher to bless the lives of generations yet unborn. This sacred place will help the country of Mexico to become all that God intends it to become. With that sanctification, it will be a blessing to the entire world." 

This great impact will not only be seen through the missionaries that come to the MTC, but the growth will be seen in all involved in the missionary work in Mexico. Perhaps greatest of all will be the impact on the teachers. Currently there are 50 Mexican returned missionaries hired to train these new missionaries with many more to come. Leaders are being called from neighboring stakes to serve in the MTC district and branch presidencies. Local members have been and will continue to be hired to serve in other capacities as needed. The plan is for this MTC to be staffed fully by the Latin American Saints. As Mexico Area President Daniel Johnson of the Seventy said, "Mexico has matured and the Mexican Saints are ready."

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765634082/LDS-Church-owned-Mexico-high-school-becomes-new-MTC.html?pg=all

About the Mexico MTC

History 
The Mexico Missionary Training Center was established in 1979 in Campestre Churubusco in Mexico City, with missionaries receiving their training through the Churubusco stake. In 1980, Ernest LeRoy Hatch was called as the MTC president. He and his wife, both from the Mormon colony in Chihuahua, took care of all training and administration. At that time each group of missionaries numbered between 40 and 50. The Relief Society sisters from Tlalpan, Churubusco, and Ermita made tortas (sandwiches) for the missionaries’ lunch, the only meal they would eat until they returned to the Brasilia Hotel, which served as their residence. 

In 1983, missionaries began residing and training at the temple complex in Mexico, using space in the Aragon stake center until November 28, 2006, when the old Aragon stake center was rededicated as the missionary training center building. 

In June of 2013 the Church High School, “Centro Escolar Benemérito de las Américas” was converted into the second largest Missionary Training Center and a large number of North Americans assigned to Spanish speaking missions in the western hemisphere began to be trained there.

https://www.lds.org/callings/missionary/missionary-training-centers/mexico/about?lang=eng

President & Sister Mullen

24 New Mission Presidents Called to Serve Beginning July 2014

• 1 MAY 2014

John Harold Mullen III, 63, and Jana Rae Low Mullen, five children, Lafayette Ward, Oakland California Stake, succeeding President Paul F. Smart and Sister Karen L. Smart. Brother Mullen is a former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, stake mission president, elders quorum president, Scoutmaster, ward mission leader, and missionary in the Chilean Mission. Retired CPA, managing director, WTAS LLC. Born in Shields Township, Ill., to John Harold Mullen Jr. and Charlotte Beth Romney.

Sister Mullen serves as a temple ordinance worker and is a former stake Primary president, ward Relief Society, Young Women, Primary president, and Church-service missionary. Born in Las Vegas, Nev., to Wendell Blair Low and Janet Harris Low.

https://www.lds.org/church/news/24-new-mission-presidents-called-to-serve-beginning-july-2014?lang=eng

Sister Tonini's Mission Call

Mission Call!

Dear Sister Tonini

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California Riverside Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. 

Our first two children opened their mission calls far away from home.  We were so grateful to be able to fly Corina home for the weekend so that she could open it here with us (although she was Face Timing her roommates and other friends from BYU-I).

She will be serving in the same mission as her brother Drew (although he was English speaking).

Let the adventure begin!