Erik Enters the MTC

OK, well, in keeping with the timely nature of all of our family blogs, we're finally getting some pictures and comments posted about Erik entering the MTC ... on the day before he actually leaves for India.

Erik entered the MTC on Wednesday, May 4th. It really was a good day - uplifting for all of us (even though it did involve tears from everyone at some point in the day).

Chelsea was literally handed a temporary job at Mountain America Credit Union until she goes on her mission (she's a "go-fer" there) and wasn't able to get off early enough to go to Provo with us, so she had to say her good-bye's that morning. We got some last-minute shopping in that morning and Erik was able to get everything into 2 suitcases - that were still under the weight limit.

We arrived around 20 minutes early in order to take some time to say our good-byes on the big lawn to the west of the Provo Temple (an idea that many other families had). It was a nice day - blue skies and warm. When we were done there (well, according to Barb we weren't done, but the scheduled drop-off time was approaching and Erik was antsy to get the show on the road) we drove down the hill to the MTC. True to what we had been told, we drove into the MTC, were directed to a curb-side drop-off, a "host" missionary came and grabbed him and his luggage and off they went! We were stopped at the curb for probably 5 minutes. (We did get time for a few pictures and hugs, however.) Having been to the "room with two doors" with Josh, I have to admit that I preferred this method of dropping missionaries off. (In the picture below, Erik is the one on the right with the shoulder bag; his "host" is toting his luggage.) Well, he's off on the Lord's Errand now; we've had him for 20 years, now the Lord gets him!

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