First week in Kentucky

Matthew has been in Kentucky for a week now.  He is assigned to the Owensboro area for at least his first area.  He could stay there for a few months, or be moved around, guess we'll see.  He likes his companion, Elder S (no names will be given on this blog to protect the privacy of those mentioned, so he will be known as Elder S.

I checked their address on Google and went into the street view, isn't technology amazing.  Their apartment is in a nice area, clean and close to shopping.  Matt was told by his Mission President not to worry about buying a bike for now, not until he needs one.  He is in a driving mission for now, so, we'll keep the funds in his account just in case he suddenly has need of a bike.

Letters are slowly trickling in from him, and I am gathering that he is still homesick, but, really wants to know that his family is being blessed by his service.  I have relayed to him how many unexpected blessings we have received since he left.  It really is amazing, new jobs, opportunities opening up, even his sister's graduation plans coming together so smoothly and better than expected.  Just so many blessings.

The packing I did for him ended up not being overpacking, he has had need of everything.  So glad I was able to save him some money by not having to purchase things when he arrived, he could simply focus on getting settled.

On the first day that Matt was in the Mission home, the Mission President's wife took pictures of him and his travel group.

I won't post any pictures I can't edit so, I'll be working on blurring out faces, so I can get a few of them up here, but, this one is just Matt so it's okay.

Tracking the plane as Elder Anderson makes his way to Kentucky, accompanied by 30 other missionaries, both Elders and Sisters.  He was up at 1 am and out to the bus by 230 am.  They flew from Salt Lake City to Houston, and now are on their connecting flight to Louisville. 

He called me while they were waiting for their connecting flight in Houston, and I had such a hard time not crying on the phone.  I don't want to make him sad, but, I also don't want him to think I can so easily let him go for two years.  It's a fine line to walk.  But, I got through, and he sounded so amazing.  He said his zone in the MTC became like family, and he will actually miss being there with them.  He won't miss the three hour long classes twice a day, or being cooped up in the MTC facility, but, overall, he loved it there.  While they were in the airport in Houston they felt the stares from the other people, and could tangibly feel that the Spirit they felt at the MTC was no longer surrounding them. 

His time in the MTC was just 12 days, so, a lot was crammed into their heads as quickly as possible, so, the twelve week training program in the mission field will be so much more valuable.  I spent most of yesterday reading the blog that President and Sister Woodbury started when they were first called as the mission presidents of the GKLM, and followed the journey of the mission all the way to this month.  They post transfers and new missionary arrivals, outgoing missionary photos, holidays, trainings and zone conferences, whatever is important to the mission, and tell us how all our missionaries are doing.  It will be so exciting to see Matthew in those pictures starting with today's arrival and tomorrow's transfer.  They will have pictures of the group arriving, some of the group getting settled in the mission home, and then of them eating their dinner.  There will be pictures of each missionary with their new companion/trainer.  We'll get to read all about the big events.  I won't be able to post anything here except pictures of Matthew, minus any other missionary just to protect the privacy of the other families and their children. 

I will also update from Matthew's letters and emails, but, no names or pictures of others, again for privacy reasons. 

Matt's mission begins

Today officially began Matt's mission.  We brought him to the MTC at 1230 this morning.  But first, we stopped in at the Provo temple to take some pictures.  As the temple is closed for refurbishing and cleaning we parked across the street in the overflow parking lot, and then walked the grounds around the temple.  

And then it was time to go.  I was expecting Matt to be nervous, but, he wasn't.  He hopped out of the car, and was smiling.  He was greeted by his Host for the day, Elder Lutz, and after hugs, a few tears behind my sunglasses, and all of his gear unloaded and handled by Elder Lutz, we said goodbye.  

 And so begins the Best Two Years of his life.
 

6 Days and counting...

Just 6 days and Matt will enter the MTC to begin the most amazing two years of his life.  Since I last posted Matt was ordained an Elder, and received his endowments in the Manti, Utah temple.  We have completed his shopping, for the most part, just have to get him a set of small speakers for his ipod so he can play Mormon tab etc. 

We had Matt's farewell this past Sunday June 30th, and it was so much fun.  His talk, while causing him no end of consternation, was a great success.  No one could see his hands shaking, or the papers in his hands jiggling.  He spoke about Standing Strong in Holy Places.  What a great job he did.  We are so proud of him and how far he has come.

His check in time at the MTC is 1230 so he will have time to sleep in one last time and have lunch before we leave.  The plan is to take two cars up to Provo, park up by the Temple, and take some pictures before he has to go.  Then Tim, me, Matt, and Katie will get in our car and bring Matt into the MTC.  Katie will be there to take pictures, she is amazing with a camera. 

Soooo, now we just need to get through the next few days, including tonight, which just happens to be the Fourth of July .