Mexico MTC

Welcome to Latter-day Missionary, a weekly podcast that gives you a raw, unscripted look at what it's really like to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every week, Sister Hannah Cheney will jump on a call with her dad, Edgar, to share stories about the people she's meeting, the lessons she's learning, and the everyday reality of missionary life. Whether you're preparing to serve, have already served, or are simply curious about the 84,000+ missionaries serving around the world, we are so glad you are here. In this episode, Hannah and Edgar cover one of the most significant transitions in any missionary's journey — leaving home for the last time and arriving at the in-person MTC. From a tearful airport goodbye to five weeks inside a converted college campus in the heart of Mexico City, this episode is emotional, funny, and deeply honest about what it takes to become a missionary. In this episode, we dive into: The Airport Goodbye: Hannah and Edgar share their memories of that early morning send-off — the nerves, the tears, and the unexpected moment when the whole family found a window to wave goodbye one last time. Flying Solo for the First Time: What it felt like for Hannah to navigate an international airport alone, stressed and sleep-deprived, before finding familiar faces from her Home MTC district at the gate. Life Inside the CCM: A full look at the daily schedule — 6:30 AM wake-ups, long language and teaching classes, daily exercise, weekly temple visits, and devotionals that Hannah says she'll never forget. The Moment That Hit Differently: Hannah shares the experience of singing a beloved childhood hymn with her entire missionary cohort, changing one line to reflect that they were finally, actually, the Lord's missionaries. The Hard Parts: Navigating anxiety, adjusting to a strict schedule, and feeling the weight of a year and a half stretched out ahead of her — and how Hannah used the MTC's counseling resources to get through it. The episode closes with Proverbs 1:5 — a reminder that seeking wisdom and wise counsel is itself an act of faith — and Edgar's reflection on what it means to be surrounded by hundreds of people all striving to learn and serve at the same time. If you've ever wondered what really happens inside a Missionary Training Center, or what it feels like to finally become the thing you've been preparing for your whole life, this episode is for you. Tune in next week as Hannah and Edgar head into the mission field!