Josh's original arrival date was the 4th of July but we got a phone call a couple weeks later explaining that because Provo is so busy that day they would like everyone to come on the 5th of July instead. Fine with us! One more holiday we get to spend with our boy. So we had a great 4th with Josh. He, Joel, Konnor and George ran the Freedom Festival 10k that goes a block past the MTC. While they did that the rest of us watched the hot air balloons go off in the field behind the Provo Hospital. It's a great tradition. Then we all headed down to Jandy's house for breakfast. Later that night we had a BBQ at grandma and grandpa's house and then headed to a park by Steve and Juanelle's to watch their neighborhood firework show that was AMAZING! It was a wonderful last holiday spent with family. If you want to see picture's and more about it go to my blog: www.pennybs2cents.blogspot.com and look it up.
I have never had any problems with being sad or concerned with sending Shayne or Sophie on a mission. Mission's are exciting and fun. But, for some reason I was having some bad anxiety because I knew Josh was having anxiety. I did not want this MTC experience to be full of tears and sorrow when the last two had been so positive and wonderful but I could not see how it could be anything but mournful. That night Josh gave me a blessing of peace and comfort. His first blessing. It was short and sweet and to the point and just exactly what he and I needed. Then next morning we got up, got ready and went to the Provo Temple to meet Shayne and Konnor and to take some picture's before heading over to the MTC. The spirit was light and peaceful. Everyone was happy and excited including Josh. Which, in turn, made me the same way. There were not very many people there. There was a stark difference between Sophie's day and this day. The day we took Sophie in they had a record 739 missionaries coming in and a news crew there to document it. The church was opening up tours for the new part of the MTC and the place was buzzing. But on July 5th the MTC received a humble 211 missionaries. We knew of 5 of them that were going to be in Josh's mission and 1 that was Sophie's companions little brother that was going to California. Sister Dee's little brother, Dylan Frame. We told Josh to go find him and take a picture of them together so they could send it to their sister's in Florida.
Here are the last picture's of Josh with his family members, and then the morning of Nick came over to say goodbye.
I have never had any problems with being sad or concerned with sending Shayne or Sophie on a mission. Mission's are exciting and fun. But, for some reason I was having some bad anxiety because I knew Josh was having anxiety. I did not want this MTC experience to be full of tears and sorrow when the last two had been so positive and wonderful but I could not see how it could be anything but mournful. That night Josh gave me a blessing of peace and comfort. His first blessing. It was short and sweet and to the point and just exactly what he and I needed. Then next morning we got up, got ready and went to the Provo Temple to meet Shayne and Konnor and to take some picture's before heading over to the MTC. The spirit was light and peaceful. Everyone was happy and excited including Josh. Which, in turn, made me the same way. There were not very many people there. There was a stark difference between Sophie's day and this day. The day we took Sophie in they had a record 739 missionaries coming in and a news crew there to document it. The church was opening up tours for the new part of the MTC and the place was buzzing. But on July 5th the MTC received a humble 211 missionaries. We knew of 5 of them that were going to be in Josh's mission and 1 that was Sophie's companions little brother that was going to California. Sister Dee's little brother, Dylan Frame. We told Josh to go find him and take a picture of them together so they could send it to their sister's in Florida.
Here are the last picture's of Josh with his family members, and then the morning of Nick came over to say goodbye.
Time for some selfies.
Then across the street we drove. We got our blue Post-It on our window and went down underground to the parking garage to say goodbye.
This was Elder Ivins from Blanding. I put this picture along with all of the other picture's of the missionaries waving on the Missionary Momma's Facebook Page so their mom's could see them.
Last group picture.
