WEEK 1: HOME MTC? WELL THIS IS DIFFERENT...

 



When Elder Pennington woke up on Monday morning, he began his training in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) at home, which was very different from the norm.  Thanks to the pandemic in 2020, things have changed with the training of new missionaries.  They now spend their first week or so doing virtual training at home.  This means that he was able to spend Christmas with us. YEA!

It was an adjustment for him being a missionary at home.  Being in class online for about 9 hours a day was tiring, and when he wasn't in class he was a little bored not knowing what to do.

Luckily, day 2 was his Preparation Day which means he didn't have class all day, just in the evening, so we were able to go run some errands and do some things that still needed to be done like ordering a new pair of glasses at Costco!  

The optician said it usually takes a week to get them back.
We were definitely cutting it close!


There were several nice surprises while Jake was in home MTC.  Even though he just had a new baby (Lennon), Josh took the time to smoke barbecue ribs and make mac & cheese and dropped it off to Jake along with his two older children. Josh has been a big brother to both our boys - Nathan & Jake - and has always been there for our family.





One evening there was a knock at the door, and Brandon Smith brought a package from the Collierville 1st Ward members.  It was a care package that they send to all the young men and women serving missions from our congregation.  There were lotsa goodies in there and cards and letters from different people wishing him well and encouraging him.  He especially enjoyed the letter from Levi.








Jake spent quite a bit of time over the last few months at his Nana & Papa's house.  One of their favorite things to do together was to eat Papa's awesome food (of course!) and then watch "The Chosen" together.  They had a goal to finish watching all 3 seasons together before he left, and they almost made it.  This show was an approved one for him to watch.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.  Season 4 comes out at the beginning of February.

Here's a pic of them watching an episode at our home on Christmas Eve.



Sunday was Christmas Eve so we attended church in the morning and then came home to open a few presents.  We took a few pics with Justin's help after church and then there's a few at the house with family.



















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