Haitian-ing the Work: September 2, 2015 - Today Our Lives Changed Forever

Today our lives changed forever. We dropped off our oldest son Matthew at the Missionary Training Center. We started the journey the day before when we drove down to Utah. We stopped at Utah State University to get some shirts for him to take on his mission and to get some Aggie ice cream! Then we stopped for dinner in Bountiful and went to my favorite restaurant there called Robintino's. It was delicious! The next morning, MTC day, we started the day at IHOP for breakfast. Matthew was dressed as a missionary of course and some of the people in the restaurant came to wish him well. The manager sent out a "lucky" $2 bill for him! Pretty awesome. :) Then we were on our way to Provo. We stopped by the grounds of the new City Center (Tabernacle) Temple to take a few pictures. It's a very unique temple, very pretty. The workers were working on the wood trim and we could see inside some of the doors, it's going to be beautiful inside as well. We also went to the Provo temple to take some photos before we went to lunch at Los Hermanos. We weren't even hungry but it was in the plan to go there. ;) Matthew loved the chips and salsa of course! Our server was super excited for Matthew. He had served his mission in Russia, he even served in Saratov! So we told him about knowing Andy and that he is in our ward. He thought that was pretty cool. They gave him his meal for free! It's so great to experience such love and support even from the local businesses. The time is drawing nigh... We headed back over to the Provo Temple grounds to take a few more pictures and to say our goodbyes. :( We saw some friends of ours, the Clarks, who were also bringing their son to the MTC that same day too. We gave Matthew big hugs and told him how much we love him, there on the temple grounds, then it was time to drop him off. The Elders there at the MTC were ready and waiting to take his luggage, and snap a few pictures before whisking him away. We gave Matthew one last hug and then he was off! He was so ready for this moment to finally get started on his mission. He didn't even look back! We are so excited for him! It's a very bittersweet time emotionally, we're not sure how to feel. We're so excited for him to go on this amazing journey, but sad that our family will never be the same. He will never be at home with us like he has been for 18 years. He'll only be back to visit, and that is a hardest part about this whole experience. He has left the nest and flown away on his own. :'( God be with you 'til we meet again!