Michael was ready.

This is the day that we know will come from birth. The day we turn our son over to the Savior to become a disciple of Jesus Christ to share the gospel with others. This is the day that we want to come and pray for that our son will choose to serve as a missionary. This is the day that joy and sadness all mingle together to become one emotion. An emotion that only parent's who have experienced it can fully understand. An emotion that we want to experience. We are grateful Michael chose to serve as a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is ready to go to the Independence Missouri Mission. This is his journey to the MTC...

We left Monday morning after Michael finished packing. Driving all Day To Salt Lake and arriving about 9:45 pm. Michael was anxious to get there before 10:30 because he was living missionary rules already and he needed to be in bed by then. Larry was starting to feel sick. He got worse as the trip wore on and he realized he had the flu. It was not a pleasant drive for him or us for that matter. I won't go into details:) He was still under the weather Tuesday morning so Jeff, Michael and Andrew gave him a blessing. While he continued to get some rest, Larry's sister, her husband Jeff, son Andrew, Michael and I went to the Salt Lake Temple. Isn't it beautiful?

We had to get some pictures when we were through. We sure missed Larry being there with us. It was so nice that Brenda, Jeff and Andrew came to spend the day with Michael. Jeff scooted over so I could put Larry in the picture, which as you can see I haven't done "yet".

I thought I'd try and get in one more kiss. He didn't want anything to do with it. LOL.

This is Andrew and Michael who are both going to be on missions for the next two years. Andrew starts next month and will serve in the North Carolina mission.

Larry started feeling better by late afternoon so he decided to venture out and join us. We went to the Joseph Smith movie in the Joseph Smith building. I had seen it before and loved it but watching it on the huge screen was so powerful. Watching it also knowing that Michael will be serving in the heart of where a lot of the church history was made it even that much more powerful.

Doesn't he look good and happy?

We got there early to walk around before Michael's time to check in. Michael found out that he didn't have to wait until his appointed time and that he could check in early. He said "great". He said he was ready to start and he just needed to get rid of us. LOL. So we went to get his bags and he checked them in and the process began.

He was learning some important things here like which card was his meal ticket. :)

I had the privilege of attaching Michael's missionary name tag onto his suit. What an honor that was for me. I tried really hard not to cry and I think I did OK.

I like how the statue of the Savior is pointing to Michael like it is saying "Here is my son who is now ready to go forth and preach My gospel".

Ok this is the last picture before we head down to the assembly room where we sing Called to Serve, hear a couple of short talks by the MTC Mission President and his wife, watch part of the video "Called to Serve" and then as the MTC Mission President said "Saying goodbye here is like pulling off a band aid. Quicker is less painful". Michael didn't shed any tears. I shed a few but actually held it together pretty good. Watching Michael and how ready he was made it easier for me to let go. Larry told him we'll go out our door and wait for you to come out your door and we'll wave to you. We waited, Larry waved but Michael didn't look back. He was ready to go forward. The Savior as in this picture is behind us and will watch over Michael for us.

Please keep him in your prayers. Write him, send him pictures, goodies with no nuts and let him know that he has support from all of us. One of his biggest concerns was that all his nieces
 and nephews would forget him in these next two years. I assured him that won't be the case. Right? Right!