MTC (Missionary Training Center) Drop off

We dropped Lexi off at the MTC in Provo, UT on July 3rd.  Here are some interesting facts that they were told on day 2 in one of their meetings.  There were 841 new missionaries where normally in July there have been 200-300.  This is the largest group ever,  up to this time, to come in on a Wednesday.  They had 100 cars come in every 15 minutes.  They have in the MTC for the first time ever a missionary from Cuba.  And they had a whole row from Japan that don't even speak English.

We got to Provo early so we could take some pictures.  There were 9 of us:  Dad, me (mom), Meredith, Charley, Gabby, Dani, Jordan, Ruben and of course Lexi.  We all parked a block away by the temple and walked down a block to the entrance of the MTC so we could take pictures.  We sat under a tree in the shade and talked for the last half hour until it was her scheduled drop off time of 2:15.  We all packed into the van so we could all get to drop her off and say one last goodbye.  On the way down, a little anxiety set in and I had to tell her to take a deep breath.  We all said our goodbyes.  Ruben was the only dry-eyed one there.  We were about a block away and I get a phone call from her.  She forgot her purse in the car.  We had to turn around and drop it off at the front desk for her.  It was hard to send off my baby girl, knowing that I won't see her for 18 months.  But I know she will be a great missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission and she is doing a great work!  What a wonderful opportunity she has!