The Farewell!

Wow!  What a week! 

 It was a week of mixed emotions

from nervous, happy, scared, melancholy...
sometimes

all felt at once!

We started the week off with Jaden speaking in Sacrament

meeting.  His assigned topic was Doctrine and Covenants 4:2.  He did an awesome job!

Then we headed over to feed the masses!  Our generous neighbors and dear friends,

Jon and Lisa Schneiter offered the clubhouse at their golf course for us to use.

What a blessing!  We probably had 120 people or so, and I don' know how we

would have fit all of them in our house!

So many of Jaden's close friends stopped by to say "farewell."

How grateful I am as a mother to have a son with such wonderful friends!

On Tuesday night, July 30th, we headed over to the Stake Center where Jaden

was set apart as a full-time missionary by President Mark Thayne.

Bishop Gary Petersen was also there and shared his testimony with us.

What a very special and sacred experience!

So glad that Jaden's grandparents were able to join us, as well as his girlfriend.

We left home a little before 10:00a.m. on Wednesday, July 31st,

to go out to lunch before dropping Jaden off at the MTC.

The above pictures are of him loading his luggage and getting ready to get into the van.

Last time he'll see home for 2 years!

 I told him the day before that he could choose where we went to lunch.

I think he was afraid to ask, but I said "name it!"

I knew before he responded that it would be the Cheesecake Factory!

We love that place!

Then it was time to head to Provo.  We stopped at the temple for one last family picture

and group hug with all of the kids!  As they were getting ready to 

climb into the van, each one of them gave Jaden a farewell hug!

The MTC was an organized madhouse!  I was not expecting to see so many vehicles!

No wonder they want you to say your goodbyes beforehand.

I gave Jaden another hug, told him I loved him, and that he would be okay.

I added that we would also be okay.

Chris hugged him as I hopped back into the van.

I figured we needed to just make it quick!

An Elder who has been called to Hong Kong helped Jaden with his luggage,

and when we looked back a few moments later, they were gone!

I honestly did not have a hard time dropping him off.

When I gave him a hug, I just felt a great feeling of peace,

and I knew that it would be alright!

So excited for the adventures that await him as he serves the Lord

and the people of Korea for the next two years!