Our Missionary - The Beginning

Wow, it's been 3 days since we left Abi at the MTC. I have been going to post our experiences but have felt intimidated by this computer, but decided today that I am better and tougher than these electronic gadgets. So here goes......

The hardest moment of the whole day was on SR-36 between Erda Way and the Hospital. I almost lost it. The thought that she was going to be leaving and the pitty party that I was feeling completely over took me. It was all I could do to hold in the tears, I had to just cuss at the sun and the reflection of the snow blinding me and causing my eyes to water. :-) We had to have Abi to the MTC by 12:30, we left in enough time to grab lunch in Provo before getting to the MTC. We crossed the street heading towards the entrance and came upon a group of Sister Missionaries called to serve in Hong Kong. They were so excited to see Abi and were so nice to her. Yeah Sister Power!!! For those of you who have the experience of taking a son to the MTC, daughters a bit different. They get lots of hugs from the volunteers there helping direct families. It was way cool. I got to clip Abi's name tag on her. How cool!


Let's see what else shall I tell you about? Oh yeah. We had this great idea to take our picture in front of the world map, pointing to our respective missions, only one of the sisters up in the front of the MTC said that they did not allow pictures there on Wednesday's because of the confusion and congestion that it might cause. Well, we get down by the map and Abi gets a hug from the Sister manning her station there, she explains her desire and since there was no "traffic" at that moment, the MTC volunteer Sister let Abi break her first mission rule. We got our picture!!!!


Ok, now we are headed to the chapel for the family meeting before parting company for 18 months. We are headed down a hallway where a brother escorts us up to the front row. Yikes! It was nice and peaceful in the chapel, then in walks a Brother; all official looking. He walks over to the Elder sitting next to us, asks him to say the opening prayer then comes to Abi and says that with every opening prayer there needs to be a closing and asked her to say the closing prayer. In front of all the other missionaries and there families, she wasn't even nervous.

The MTC President and his wife spoke to us. Something that Sister Boone said sunk deep into my soul and comforted me and I think from that point on I hardly shed any tears. She quoted Doctrine and Covenants 6:20. ...."Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." Where else but in the loving arms of my Savior would I want my darling daughter to be? The peace that overcame me was incredible. I didn't cry anymore. I knew and felt it, that Abi was doing exactly what Abi should be doing. It was a powerful moment for me.

Her closing prayer was just a powerful as her "MOSS" talk on Sunday had been. She has taught me so many things and has been such a good example to all of us.