MTC

Now that the Farewell talk was out of the way it came time to report to the MTC. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was the first one in our family to serve a mission. When we got there we of course found a place to park in the parking lot across the street and then walked over. We stopped in front to snap a few pictures before going inside.

Once we were inside I checked in and received a small packet. In that packet was my name tag and we were told that we should have a parent put it on. We were also told to take what photos we wanted now before heading back to the welcome meeting. It was hard to take pictures without crying. It was hard knowing that I wouldn't see them again for another 18 months. It hadn't really hit until Mom was putting on my name tag.

Once we were done with the pictures we walked back into a large room with rows and rows of chairs. We sat down and the President of the MTC came in to talk with us. Once He was done everyone was asked to stand up. The Missionaries were sent out one door and the our family members were sent out another. It was even hard to leave knowing that they weren't coming with me. I gave them each one last hug and said goodbye and followed the rest of the missionaries.

We walked through the halls and reported to another room where we would be picking up all are learning materials, our companions, and our room assignments. I got a fun surprise in my bag of learning materials. Ben had written me a letter and left it in my bag to find once I picked it up. It made it a little bit easier knowing even though my family was gone, I wasn't alone. 

Farewell

Packets in, calls received, Temple attended, now last but not least the Farewell talk. The only think that was missing was Ben. He had already given his and was long gone. Now it was my turn. 

I was given the topic of Missionary work and what I expected for myself for my own mission. When all was said and done I can't remember what I said. I do have a copy of it saved somewhere. All I remember in preparing for this talk was that I wanted to find some stories or poems to lengthen it. They have a way of saying things that I don't have. 

When I finished giving my talk everyone said it sounded great and that I would be a great missionary. I hoped they were correct and not just saying that to be nice. 

After Church all those that I had invited were welcomed back to my parents place for a small luncheon. 

Temple

Now that we had our mission calls in hand, we were able to schedule our appointments to receive our endowments in the Temple. On our own we each scheduled our appointment and I was happily surprised when I found out that we had actually scheduled them on the same day and the same time. It wasn't on purpose either, just a happy accident.

The day of our appointment all of our family and friends were there. It was so scary and awesome at the same time. It was even better looking around knowing almost everyone in that room. It was an amazing experience and I am grateful that we were able to do it together.

After we were done at the Temple we both visited with those that came to support us. Once we were done we planned to meet up at the restaurant to celebrate.

Time passed

While Ben was serving in Iraq I was attending college. I did my Freshmen year at Utah State University where I roomed with high school friend Rachel Winters. I focused on general education requirements after the Dean of Education told me I wasn't ideal for his program. I had hoped to become a Teacher, but after sitting down with him, that thought process changed and I changed some of my classes.

Once I was done with my 1st year I went back home for the summer and decided to transfer to Weber State University for my Sophomore year. I was a little behind now because some of my credits from Utah State didn't transfer over nicely (math), but continued to complete my general education requirements. When I was done with my second year I had completed all of the general education requirements with only one class left to finish, math. I am not very good at math and I wouldn't say that I actually enjoyed being in college. I decided that I would take a break and if I changed my mind later, I would attempt that Math class once again.

While taking my break from college I decided that I wanted to serve a mission. I would be turning 21 in August and the right age for women to serve a mission. So when the time was right I started researching what I needed to do to get ready to fill out and turn in my papers.

When Ben got home from his Deployment in March (2004) he was ready to get his papers in in preparation to serve a mission as well. That brought on the fun part. Now we could help each other get the necessary requirements done in order to turn in our papers.

We were spending a lot of time together getting our papers ready to turn in. While doing so we were able to get back to where we were before he left. We even had a few conversations about what the future would hold. We talked a little bit about our plans and if we planned to be together, but nothing for sure. He didn't want me to have to wait for him since he was still planning on a mission. I think he was releaved when I told him that I wanted to serve a mission as well, that way he didn't have to ask for me to wait.

As we spent more and more time together we were both able to get our packets completed and turned in by June and couldn't wait to receive our mission calls. I was at work the day they came in. Ben came and visited me at work to "brag" that he had received a giant envelope from the Church which could only mean one thing, his call was in that envelope. He told me that I should be excited for when I get off work and home. After he left I called home and he was right, they were at home waiting for me.

When I got home I opened up my giant envelope in front of all my family and friends. I was so excited when I read that I would be serving in the Anaheim California Mission speaking English. I was so afraid that I would be going somewhere that I wouldn't be able to handle. I was also worried about having to learn a second language. I wasn't very successful in Middle school or High school, and I wasn't sure how well I would do a third time. I was scheduled to leave for the MTC on October 5th. I would be staying in the MTC for 3 weeks and then would be reporting to the mission home in Anaheim on October 25th.

Ben received his mission call to the Cebu Philippians Mission and would be reporting to the MTC on September 7th. He would be there for a period of 3 months in order to learn how to speak Cebuano.

Now that we both had our mission calls, all we had left to do besides getting the clothing requirements was to attend the temple.