Mission Bound

This is getting real!  While Greg and Mack were in Mesquite Andrew and I decided we'd better just move on getting his mission clothes.  Our original plan was being shifted because of the situation with Randy.  Time was running out so we headed to Men's Wearhouse and just got it done - well I wish it was was done.  There was still a lot of online work but we got started.  

Andrew got his endowment out in the Draper Temple early Friday the 7th of July.  We planned to do it in Utah so Nani could come and it turned out perfect for Nani to be there as well as my parents, Holly, Gayle, Brad and Tom. Nani and Brad hit the road quick so they could get to Mesquite for the funeral preparations and Gayle was taking the pics I guess.

When he got his call he only had one schedule week where he would be home with me the entire week so we had a lot of stuff on our agenda that week.  However, our week to get ready ended up being a painful week of sickness, laying around, and doctors visits.  But somehow we still got everything done.

Greg had to teach him how to shave with a real razor not just his electric one, just in case it dies.  

Andrew was set apart the 23rd and started home MTC the 24th of July.  The hours and schedule kept him busy and tired.  He might have snuck in a nap or two.  He spoke in church on the 30th.  Nani and the Parkinsons came into town to listen.  We had a full house but it was a lot of fun.  

He did such a great job- he sounded humble and ready to get moving.

Monday morning everyone headed home and we had one final day with Andrew.  Ironically, he fell asleep at 6:00 and didn't wake up again so instead of game night it was early to bed night.  The next morning he had to say by to the girls as they headed off to girls camp.  They are going to miss there big brother.

Andrew and I spent most of the day cleaning out his room, packing up the stuff he wanted to keep, and gathering a huge pile of stuff for goodwill.  Then we packed up his bag, said goodbye to Bob and Mack and hit the road for Provo.

The boys had one last ping png match - it could be a while before the rematch.

It was fun just chatting with Andrew on the way to Utah - hard to believe he will be gone for two years.  

We stayed in a hotel downtown Salt Lake so we could we could meet up with Fritz for breakfast the next morning.  Andrew wanted to meet Natali's boyfriend before he left, "Just in case." We enjoyed our pastries learning about Fritz and having him give Andrew encouragement.

We were able to do initiatories in the Provo City Temple before we went out to lunch at Tucanos.  I love the Provo City Temple.  Greg and I attended stake conference there once when we were in a married student ward at BYU.  Years later there was a fire that left its interior destroyed.  Church leadership decided to turn it into a temple.  It's red brick and maze-like layout make it so unique.

Andrew enjoyed his last meal out and Greg chipped a tooth - 😫.  Then we headed to the MTC.  We followed the rows of cars into the parking garage where Andrew got out with all of his stuff and was met by another missionary.  It was like pulling off a band-aid, quick and painful.  The missionary took our pics and whisked Andrew off right before his teary eyes became real tears.  Love that crazy boy.  So bitter-sweet- we are gonna miss him but I couldn't think of a better place for him to be.