The MTC (Missionary Training Center)

It was a great day!!We drove to Orem and had breakfast at the I-Hop with our missionary. Chris and his girlfriend Mary, LaDena, Jenny and Logan all joined us. The restaurant was packed with families taking thie sons and daughters to the MTC. Breakfast is free for all missionaries on the day they enter the MTC.

There were people directing the traffic once we arrived and Elder Egan unloaded his luggage where he was directed to a place to drop it off while Richard parked the car.
Then we all walked over to where the new missionaries entered to get their badges and sign in. We went through a door to the right that said "families of new missionaries".
The mom's got to put the badges on our missionaries. I was a bit teary eyed trying to do it:)
The little orange circle is what all new missionaries keep on their badges for awhile....it means "new missionary." The MTC is packed with missionaries (I'll give some MTC trivia we learned another day)...and they don't want to loose them:)
We were able to take pictures in the lobby, but as we went for an orientation type thing, all cameras and phones were to be turned off, since it was in a dedicated chapel where we met. While everyone filed in to sit down, they played some of the little video ads that are run on TV to advertise the church. Then there were some speakers and we sang "Called to Serve"..... a real tear jerker:) After a closing prayer we said our goodbyes and families went one way....and the missionaries went the other way. It was very sweet to see all the little brothers and sisters of the missionaries crying....mom's were crying....dad's were crying. My missionary gave us all hugs and off he went. We cried a little, but we were so happy for him to have this experience that we tried to be strong.
I saved my tears for outside ......I couldn't resist being silly in front of the MTC sign and Jenny caught me on camera. I'm sad of course, but very happy Jon is doing exactly what he wanted to do since he was 16 and went on a mini mission to Hermiston Oregon. Now it's the real thing and he is prepared. We love you Elder Egan!!!

Elder Egan Part 3

Today was our last day with Elder Egan. We spent time in the Manti Temple, which is just beautiful!!I just love how majestic it is....and the grounds so manicured.
Jenny came with us. Logan was working.........

Jon gave me another 5 pictures today....I think he owes me one because we only took 4:) We went out for Chinese food tonight which was very yummy. Tomorrow is packed with alot of things to do...... going to the MTC (missionary training center) where we will leave our young Elder in very capable hands. He is very excited:)

Elder Egan....... Part 1

Sunday was a wonderful day!!! Jon spoke at church on "Finding joy on the journey". He did great.... We had alot of family and friends come to hear him and then afterward we had a luncheon at our house. I'm really mad at myself because as happens when you are hosting something like that, it's hard to remember the pictures....hence NO PICTURES!!! Aunt Adele, Darrell and Rene and their family, Linda and Holly, Art and Marilyn, Erma, Alvaretta, David and Myrna, Mom, Aunt Ellouise, Lauren and Carol McCann, Ron and the boys, and Janan Ellis (who Richard and Jon home taught) all came. We had to leave a houseful of people to get to the Stake Center for his setting apart. It was beautiful. Mom and some of the aunts were there with us. We took pictures afterward....I did remember the camera for that!!
It was a beautiful day outside.
Josh tells Jon he will be bigger than him when he gets home:) Scroll down for part 2 of the journey.

Elder Egan Part 2

We got into Salt Lake at 9:30 this morning:) It really hit me that Jon is now an Elder and he has begun his mission when, at the airport in Portland a man in line at the gate called "Elder....where are you going?"Here we are as we walk to the shuttle to pick up our rental car. I couldn't resist this picture.
Jon wanted to walk up to the Christus statue at the Salt Lake visitors center. We have taken pictures in front of it with our family every time we come to Salt Lake. Jon (oops...Elder Egan) gave me 5 pictures of him and this was # 4. He's so funny about pictures!!!
Everywhere we went on Temple Square, Jon was asked if he was headed to the MTC. It's such a small world....we met a Sister missionary that just served for 3 months in Vancouver in our Stake. She was from someplace like Russia (we can't remember where). She offered to take our picture together.
We had also asked if Sister Carnahan from our ward who is serving on Temple Square was there today. We were in the right place at the right time, as Sister Carnahan and her companion (from Brazil) came running down the sidewalk. She is on the right in blue.

I Love to See the Temple.....................

I'm going there some day. To feel The Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray. For the Temple is a house of God, A place of love and beauty. I'll prepare myself while I am young....it is my sacred duty.We have sung that song so many times before and today.... Jon went to the temple. It was a very special day. Here we are afterward in the atrium....same place we took pictures with Jenny 2 years ago when she went. Jon was very happy to be in the temple.....can you tell?? Here we are with Art and Marilyn and Alvaretta. Elaine came too, but had to get home quickly as she was headed to Idaho in the morning. We have been having fun preparing for "The Mission" I'll write more later:)

What to Post???

Well, even Richard was telling me today he is sick of pulling up my blog with his surgery pictures! There is lots going on here, but I haven't really been in the mood to blog. But.....for the sake of saying something new, here goes.In February Josh performed an ensemble in the local Solo and Ensemble competition. It was his first time on the high school level. He plays french horn during concert band season. (mellophone during marching season)
It was very fun....a little nerve racking for sure, but fun none the less. Here is his group. The girl standing next to him is in our ward.
This is the best group picture. Josh was hamming it up in all the others. Silly boy!!
And of course, I've been busy buying clothes for Jon for his mission. I took this picture and sent it to him so he could see what he was getting. He will be home on Saturday and then we will rush around getting everything done before we leave on the 27th. I will definitley keep everyone up to date on all of our activities during the next few weeks.