Home MTC: Learning to Serve, Study, and Stretch Good, Bad, Ugly and Growth

All three of our kiddos who have served missions have had the Home MTC (Mission Training Center) experience, and each one has looked a little different.

Aubrey's was unique because she had the challenge (and opportunity) of learning Spanish in addition to the gospel study and teaching side of things. She was also home for two weeks rather than one.

Brian and I loved having the chance to be a part of the beginning of their missions. Here are a few things, from my perspective, that I want to remember about Aubrey's home MTC experience.

I witnessed her countenance soften as she began immersing herself in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved hearing her share parts of conference talks or firesides that impacted her. About 10 days into her training, she said something like, "I'm listening to conference talks for the first time, and they are good. I've also come to realize that Jeffrey R. Holland is really amazing."

(Sidenote: she's listened to conference talks all of her life... but I understood what she meant. Also, welcome to the President Holland fan club!)

Seven plus hours of Zoom a day is ROUGH....but she pushed through everyday. She also had about three more hours of personal gospel study, Spanish study and companionship study daily. Whew.

Not going to lie... there were some rough moments, especially when it came to Spanish class. It was a three-hour class at the end of the day and didn't end until 10:00 p.m. She was mentally and emotionally worn out. From day one, the class was taught entirely in Spanish. It was a lot.

There were tears and pep talks and late-night walks pretty much every night. 

But then she would be up early again the next day with renewed energy, determination, and a smile on her face. It was impressive.

I loved walking by her room and hearing her laugh and interact with her district. She loved them and couldn't wait to meet them in person at the Mexico MTC.

I tried to stay pretty available so when she popped out throughout the day for an eight-minute break, she had someone to talk to... and I wanted to hear everything she had to share.

Brian and I also spoiled her in one of her love languages: fast food. Her lunch or dinner wish was our command. (Well... we picked up food for her once a day — and sometimes Diet Coke or ice cream too.) She had short breaks and a packed schedule, so she often had to scarf down her food!

A couple of times we were able to have a late family lunch and include Aubrey. Her schedule was full, so mostly she wasn't available.

"Girl lunch" at Olive Garden. Every Thursday my dad, Britney, and I eat out together. This time we included Britney's girls, Aubrey, and Kaide.

Speaking of Kaide, one of Aubrey's favorite things was having him pop in and out of her room during breaks to give her a hug. He was always hoping she could play with him, but she was a busy sister missionary. She was especially happy when he happened to be over and her eight-minute break lined up.

One really fun thing about home MTC is a little flexibility as a missionary. Her Sundays were much more open, and these amazing friends came over one week. I LOVED hearing them talk and laugh as they watched a church show and made bookmarks. I could tell it rejuvenated her. 

Joseph, Kate, and Wells were in town for a few days, and they were so sweet to stop by one last time to wish Aubrey the best before she left. (Home MTC perk for sure!)

I love this girl. I am so proud of her for choosing to serve a mission. I know how much it will bless her life too. Heavenly Father is so good. She is sacrificing 18 months to serve, but I know how He will be able to bless her life forever through this experience.

The Best Three Months!

January-March 2026

One of my very favorite things this winter was having Parker home more often. He was doing an internship in Carlsbad, New Mexico from January through March. Because it was "only" two hours away, he decided to come home most weekends to do his laundry, rest, go to church, and just be with family. Often he only had Sundays off, but to him, the drive was worth it.

It made my mama heart so happy.

I loved getting to hug him so often. We would sometimes squeeze in a late-night walk together. He'd hang out with Tanner and Erin and snuggle and play with Kaide. He joined us for Sunday dinner, FHE, and our extended family Sunday night gatherings. Then around 9:00 p.m., he would head back to New Mexico to get ready for another long work week.

His major is Construction Management, and it was interesting hearing about the projects he was working on while interning for an oil company. It isn't where he wants to end up long term, but I think he appreciated both the experience and the paycheck.

One of the harder things about sending kids off to missions and college at 18 is realizing they don't really come back home in the same way again. We only see them a few times a year, and I know they are happy and exactly where they should be, which brings me so much peace. But I do wish we lived a bit closer to BYUI and BYU.

Having Parker home almost every weekend was such an unexpected gift. It was WONDERFUL. He is funny and smart and helpful, and he brings so much life into our home. I'm glad he is back at BYU–Idaho (and I know he is too), but I'll treasure this random little three-month season when we got to enjoy having him so close.

He used EVERY ONE of these eggs to make breakfast burritos For ONE WEEK to take back to his apartment. Crazy boy.

Temple trip in Lubbock

"Sunday Night" hula hoop battles. All of the cousin (age 32-6) are good, I mean really, really good hula hoopers because it was taught at their elementary school. See this blog post from 2013 However, Christian, age 6, beat everyone. It was impressive.

Tanner & Parker

Visiting Gram and Grandpa Vore

A Little Loud, A Lot of Love

June 7, 2026

Don't let this cute little photo lull you into believing we had a calm and quiet Sunday night family gathering. It was not.

Kate, Wells, Noah, Brian, and Aub

It was loud and chaotic. There were conversations in every corner. The littles were running in and out between the playroom and the family room. Some were playing outside at times and then popping back inside to ask a question or grab a snack. Christian (6) was practicing the piano. It was a lot--but also a lot of fun.

Here is a short video glimpse into the evening.

Lincoln, Joseph, Adam Vore, Grandma Honey, Noah, Brit, Tanner, Erin, Ella, Char, Wells & Kate w/ Braddock, Hud and Aubrey in the background

The men were late joining in due to a Priesthood meeting in Midland. Brian, Hermana Gwilliam and I were late to join due to an MTC family fireside. (Our Stake President asked us to call Hermana Gwilliam while she was in the home MTC. Overall, I have not done very well. Kaide has been a great example though. When he comes over to the house, he asks, "Where is Hermana Gwilliam?" and then he'll sneak in her room where she is doing Zoom. He gives her a hug and tries to get her to come play with him.) 

But back to Sunday night. Joseph, Kate and Wells were in town, which made it even more fun--it's nice to switch things up. Wellsy was the cutest: chunky, happy and busy. Everyone wanted to hold him and play with him.

Our numbers are dwindling in the Big O. We love it when family comes through, and we get to all be together. 

Aub and Hud are besties and have been soaking up the past month since she's been home from college. This was her last Sunday night

Grandma Honey (Shari Martin) joined us for the evening. She is family, but only related to some of the group—Angelique's mom, the Vore kids' grandmother, and the "little Vores'" great-grandmother.

This group was all chatting but then Joseph left to get a drink. I "made" them recreate so I could snap a picture, and they were giving me a bad time--ha ha. They did a good job though!

On Sunday nights, the kids often come in and out of the main room in different costumes and sometimes they do little shows. Here are Lincoln (8) and Kaide (almost 4) having fun.

I went in to video Christian playing the piano. (He loves playing and is amazing, by the way.) Then I heard little voices coming from the closet and found these two cuties inside the toy box with the lid closed. It was hilarious. They were sweaty but happy.

Kaide (3½) and Gracie (2½)

And that's a wrap. Family gatherings around here are rarely calm, but they always leave me grateful for the people filling the rooms.

Pressing Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ

April 2026

Our three days with Chris and Ang were wonderful and flew by far too quickly. They were gracious hosts, but we knew they needed to get back to their full-time calling as mission leaders.

I was grateful for the opportunity to get a glimpse into their mission life. They were always busy—even while taking a couple of days to spend with us.

They were fielding phone calls, answering emails, and managing illnesses.

They were preparing for mission health council meetings and an upcoming zone conference.

They were hosting us, overseeing their missionaries, and FaceTiming with their children and grandchildren back home.

They were celebrating the achievements of recently released missionaries and cheering on the successes of those still serving.

They were busy, and they were happy.

The love they had for their missionaries was unmistakable. They seemed to glow whenever they talked about them. I found myself both overwhelmed by all they were juggling and inspired by the joy they found in their service.

West Africa is blessed to have President and Sister Vore, and I am grateful we had the chance to spend time with them.