YIPEE!!! We finally got a letter from Kyle on Friday. I can't tell you how much better it made me feel. He said that he and his companion get along pretty well and are a lot alike, but the other two in their room don't get along very well. I'm glad he and his companion get along though. That makes life so much nicer.

He sang in the choir for a fireside where Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife spoke. He said the spirit was so strong when they walked in the room. It was awesome. He also said the choir sounded really good.

He taught his first "lesson" on the First Vision and said that he felt the spirit so strong that he cried. He loves it at the MTC. That does a mom's heart good to hear these things. I know he will be a great missionary.

He also said he is eating very good and exercising so please send him lots of treats and snacks. We've sent him a few packages and I know that Sis. Holliday has sent one. The YM/YW are sending him one this week too.

Here's Brittney, Danielle and Kyle squishing into the back seat as we pull into the MTC.

Danielle took her Medical Assisting Boards on Friday and she passed. YIPEE!!! Now she just need to finish her externship and she can get a job doing what she wants to do insteading of working at Target. Not her favorite thing.

Brittney and Austin came up on Saturday. We had tickets to see the Twlight movie. Well, I ended up sick and couldn't go. Bummer!! I have been waiting forever. Guess I'll have to wait a little longer. The girls loved it - not too sure about the guys, though.

One thing I forgot. Here's Kyle's address:

MTC Mailbox #331
OK TUL 1216
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

November 19, 2009

The Day After

I was laying in bed trying to ignore the fact that it was morning when I remembered that we should have an email from the MTC. I ran to the computer and Brent had pulled it up before he left so I could see it. The email assured me that he was safe and settled. I'm sure that's a standard thing they say, but it brought comfort to my heart. I haven't cried today as much as yesterday, which is a good thing. Of course, I haven't gone near his room and have tried to keep busy so I don't have a lot time to think.

Danielle and I went to Pioneer Party to send a package to Kyle. I saw a cousin of ours had been there just before us and was sending a package to her daughter who is also in the MTC. This is her second missionary and she says it's a little easier this time, but not much. After that we went and met Brittney for lunch. Then we made a quick trip to Tai Pan Trading which is always great. We did have to hurry to get Brittney back to school. I found out that our cousins (I think they would be cousins - I've never figured all that out) are the managers of the store. I talked to Roy for a few minutes which was really fun. She is always so happy and excited.

Now I'm home trying to figure out how to do this blogging thing so if anyone has suggestions, please let me know. I read blogs all the time, but I've never done one. We'll try to keep you informed of how Kyle is doing and post his emails here. We are so appreciative of the support we have received from our family and from the members of our ward. We have a great ward and a great neighborhood.

November 18, 2009

MTC Day

This was the day I think most mothers dread in some way. You wouldn't want your son anywhere else (except maybe at home), but saying goodbye was really hard. We started out the day by finishing packing. Then we went to IHOP to an early lunch. We met Rose, Jake and John Holladay and Austin Buchanan there.

Then we realized that we had forgotten the pass to get into the MTC parking lot so we had to run back home. Then, of course, there was a six-car wreck on University Parkway and traffic was a mess. We were still a few blocks away when Kyle informed us we were officially late. We had left in time to take some pictures outside the MTC, but there was no time. We picked up Brittney and Danielle and crammed us all in the car. We crossed the street to enter the MTC and there was people EVERYWHERE, mostly missionaries. What an awesome sight. We were directed to our "unloading" space. We all got out of the car, got Kyle's suitcases out of the car and said sort of quick goodbyes. The Elders who were there assured me that they would take very good care of him and that he would be fine. One of the missionaries started taking his suitcases so we knew our time was up. We gave him a final goodbye and climbed back in the car to leave. Jayden kept asking us over and over "where's Kyle" and she was crying. That about broke our hearts. We were all crying, but it was really heartwrenching to hear her crying. She will really miss her Uncle Kyle.

The paperwork we had received from the MTC said they would send us an email late that night telling us what his address would be. Well, late to Brent and me is 9:00 because we go to bed rather early. We resigned ourselves to the idea that it would definitely be later and went to bed.