We have come to the end of our first week here at the Mission Training Center (MTC). The week was dedicated to teaching us out of the "Preach My Gospel" book. We learned not only the gospel principles contained in the book but also on the importance of teaching by the spirit. It has been a very busy week. Long days but the experience has been fantastic. We spent the days in large instruction groups of about 25 senior couples and into small groups called Districts which were made up of 4 couples. The sessions were full of great ideas on how to do our assignments and how to improve our ability to teach. In the small groups we did a lot of role playing. It was fun but challenging. The instructors, all returned missionaries, both old and young, were great. The spirit was so strong their were many times that the eyes were moist with tears.

This is the world map showing where all the Senior Missionary Couples who are in our Humanitarian group are going. It is amazing all the different places we are going and the different assignments we have been given. The assignments are Humanitarian, Employment, and Medical.




This is the Language Training Room for the missionaries going to the country of Georgia. Here are the two fantastic Elders going to Georgia at the same time as us, Elders Offuit and Steggel (LtoR). They have had to learn both Russian and Georgian because the scriptures (Book of Mormon) are only in Russian. Amazing as it has only been 9 weeks since they started! Brother Brown, the first Georgian missionary (2005) who is one of the instructors, said that these two Elders have learned the language the fastest of the missionaries sent to Georgia so far. We study with them in the evenings and they are so good at helping us and so patient. They are always full of energy and so very excited.

These are on the MTC (Mission Training Center) campus. Today is Preparation Day for us, the day to do laundry, write home, polish shoes, and catch up on other personal items. Note: No dress or suits for a few hours today-yea! A time to relax and catch our breaths. Some think it's cold here..but Sister Reese, "The sun is shinning!".

We just had Peter's bike shipped to him, this reminded us of him.

Laundry Day! This picture shows only about 1/8th the size of the laundry. It is very efficient, the machines worked very well, and very inexpensive, ($.25 to wash and $.50 to dry!).

We are on the second floor this is the hall and stairs to get to our room. The building is being remodeled and a large addition is being added on. Apparently we were very lucky as our room has been perfect. Some of the other Senior Couples have had problems with hot water, heat, and noise. We feel really bad for them.

In the main meeting room building there is a very large hallway and in it is this very large world map. It is tradition for everyone to take there picture in front of it pointing to where they are going. There is Georgia!

This our District (The small group we worked together with the first week), we became very close as we studied hard and role played and shared many spiritual experiences. (LtoR)
The Adam's-Working in SLC at Church Headquarters in charge of Humanitarian Senior Couples.
The Everton's-Netherlands, Medical
The Reese's-Georgia-Humanitarian
The Maxwell's-Kazakitstan-Humanitarian

Jan. 31 - Our first official day as Missionaries!!!

After spending a couple of fun days with Mom & Dad Reese (Janet & Jonah too!) we arrived at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah. We were greeted with smiles by everyone and we were directed to the dorm building to unload our luggage into our room on the second floor. When we drove to the dorm we were greeted by the young missionaries who carried all our heavy luggage up to our room. Wow, such royal treatment! Next we went to the main center to check in. As we entered there were lots of other senior couple missionaries there, the question everyone asks is "Where are you going? and where are you from?" It was fun to hear all the places everyone was going. Check-in was very efficient and organized. We went to the bookstore to pick up a supply packet there for us. They have everything a missionary would need in there. Next we went to lunch. Wow, very large room as we had been told about, it would have been hard to see Peter in that room. There was a sea of young Elder and Sister Missionaries! The food was very good, with lots of variety. They have Salads, Wraps, and all the Fast Food type things, plus several main courses to choose from. It all looked very good. We were told that Senior Missionaries always get to go to the front of the line, but there were no lines. (We did notice them at dinner, but we never had to wait , we must have timed it right as we walked up each time and got our food. Everything we ate was very good.
Next we went to an orientation meeting, lots of information on how the week would go and a talk from the Mission Training President and his wife. Very inspiring. They also had a special musical number by a young missionary sister who played a violin solo, it was very good. Also everyone got to tell about themselves and about their mission calls. Very interesting, there are about 30 couples in our group and they are going all over the world doing all kinds of different missions. One couple was going to Nepal! (And he likes trekking! How lucky is that!) Another couple was going to a part of Turkey to open that area. They are sent there as the first missionaries in that area, interesting thing is they go there and just live, no suits! Just go and live as if they had moved there. We had the rest of the day free to unpack and get settled in, (plus our reading assignments for tomorrow-two chapters in "Preach My Gospel"! Glad we had studied that book before we left!) We have email but no Skype in our dorm room. So you can email any questions we didn't answer in our blog!
Here is our glamorous apartment for the next 2 weeks - we are living at the MTC dorms - some couples had to go to the Marriott Hotel. Even though the dorm is not as nice, we are only a few steps away from everything, it would be a pain to have to drive back and forth from the hotel.

Farewell at the Sacramento Airport

On Wed. the 26th of January we left Sacramento for Salt Lake City. We went a little early to the airport to meet up with Holts, Cambirdges, and Sheppards. Christy's kids made some great signs. We really appreciated all the love and support - you guys are great! Leaving is hard - especially leaving family - but we are so excited to begin this great adventure in serving the Lord!

Yes, feeding them is always a good idea - especially if it's donuts!!

Check out all the yummy donuts!

Here is the crew with signs - thanks Carrie for taking the picture!

This is looking back after ascending the stairs for the final wave and goodbye!

We have everything we own packed up in Jody's Dad's garage. Whew! It only took half a day for Dave to add our stuff from the condo to the already existing collection. We gave away so much and yet we still seem to have a lot - what does that tell you about the American lifestyle? Now we are really ready to go!!!

Mom and Dad Reese came for our setting apart - they are taking our suitcases back with them (to save us the cost of flying with them!) So here are our bags - packed and ready to go. This is everything we'll need for the next 18 months! We will not be leaving till the 26 of January!

1-10-2011 Tonight was the setting apart of Peter, David and Jody Reese as full time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We met at the Church Stake Center at 8pm with family and friends. We also were able to include Tony & Connie in Arizona on skype (LOVE skype!!) President Williams (Our Stake President) offered counsel and advice to Peter and us on being great missionaries. He said to Love the Savior, Love the people where you serve, Love your companion (easy for Dave & Jody!). to work hard, be obedient, learn the gospel - wear out the Preach My Gospel book, bear your testimony often and be all you can for the Lord. Peter was set apart first, followed by David, then Jody. The blessings were beautiful - addressing concerns that only the Lord would know. The three new missionaries then bore their testimonies and we were able spent time visitng with everyone who was there.

Family and friends - thank you for coming!

President Williams getting ready to set Peter apart as a full time missionary.

Peter hugging those who stood in the circle to help set him apart.

This is Dave right after he was set apart.