MTC, HERE I COME!!

This is just a few of the 100 t-shirts Rachel had to decide among! 

 Even though she was advised to pack a day early, she didn't, and this was the scene at about 8 p.m. the night before she left! 

 She was encouraged to bring rain boots and these are the one she picked!  Cute, huh?!

 We found awesome luggage on Clearance at Kohl's and with more coupons it was really cheap! And she'll never lose it or get it mixed up with anyone else's!! 

 These are her scriptures that she's had since her baptism at 8!  She doesn't want new ones at all!  So our friend Erin in our ward sewed her an adorable scripture cover so they don't look quite so old!    

The day finally arrived!  We were so excited to have Grandma and Grandpa Trommlitz here for the big day.  We spent last night all together going out for a nice dinner and visiting.   I suggested Cracker Barrel because it seemed like some place Ken's parents would like.   Additionally, it had Southern type food that we thought would be a good idea and fitting to celebrate Rachel's last evening with the family.   After we arrived, we learned Cracker Barrel was started in Tennessee.  We had chosen the perfect place!  After dinner, the kids enjoyed playing checkers outside!  

After taking some pictures as we arrived in Provo at a nearby park the next day, we all couldn't fit into one car, so part of us started walking towards the MTC, while Grandpa had Sister Trommlitz's luggage in the bed of his truck.  At the corner, a gentleman told us we couldn't walk in, but had to drive to the drop-off area all in one car!  So we were going to try and all squish into the truck, when Adam said, "Hey, can we ride in the back of the truck?"  The brother at the corner said, "Yes!", so the boys and Elizabeth hopped in the back and the rest of us were in the cab!  It was great, because all of the current missionaries we saw walking waved and smiled at us and the kids ate that up!  They yelled hi back and waved and laughed.

Looks like Rachel takes after Grandma's side of the family :)

 

The 4 amigos

Sisters and best friends :)

Elizabeth and her selfies! 

  Thank goodness for Grandpa's truck, we could never have squeezed into the Camry! 

When we got to our drop-off zone and got out of the car, (I was still holding it together at this point) Rachel saw several missionaries that she knew from high school and college!  In fact the sister who was assigned to help her with her luggage and get her all settled in was in her BYU ward!  She had a hard time at first calling them Sister and Elder!  We snapped some more pictures and I gave her one last hug, and that's when I broke down!   She was smiling ear to ear!  She headed off up the hill and that was it!  Even though I was sad and we'll miss her, I couldn't help but feel so happy that she's at this point in her life, and that she's desirous and worth and happy to be taking this time to serve the Lord and bring souls to Christ.  

 

I think we were cracking up here because we had already hugged and then Ken said, "Wait!  I need a picture" so we re-created the moment! 

When I saw this picture that Elizabeth had snapped on her ipod, that's when I lost it.  The final parting!  She's a missionary now!!