MTC drop off

Saying farewell for two years was such a beautiful, hard moment.

Oh how I am going to miss this kid.

We stopped for lunch on our way to drop off.

Do you think when he comes back he will know how to shoot a regular smile at me?

 

Last moments in the car...wasn't sure whether to throw advice at them, ask them questions, stay quiet, cry, or jump for joy.

These two are such incredible people. It really was such a miracle and a blessing that they could enter the MTC together.

Last boys handshake.

These two grew closer the last year. Layla talks about how when she had a bad day Kyler would take her to get a drink or a treat and go on a drive to the mountains. She loved how he was there for her. He still will be--just in a different way.

She's going to grow so much in the next two years. She loves her oldest brother so much.

And she's covered in chocolate.

I didn't expect to be as emotional as I was. Kyler has been a rock of strength in our family. It was hard to say goodbye, but it was coupled with so much excitement for him and pride in his choice. I am so grateful he can call home each week!!

I’m not sure how much Perry understood about what was happening. But he loves his Lego building brother.








I really adore Collin and I am so grateful for their friendship in WA.

We loaded back in the car and drive across the street to drop him off at the MTC. Pulling in to the garage was such a weird moment. 

We helped them unload their luggage and then said our final goodbye.

It was so nice to have missionaries there to greet them and help them get settled.

And they didn’t even look back.

We miss Kyler like crazy, but we love having a missionary out serving. It is such a blessing to our family.

Kyler becomes a missionary

One of the most special days for our family was the day Kyler was set apart as a missionary for the church for Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

This man was so ready to put that tag on and give it his all to God for the next two years.

Our stake President spent a few minutes talking to us and let anyone who wanted to share a few words do so. Then Kyler was given a blessing to set him apart as a missionary. After the blessing, I got the honor to place the tag on him.


So excited to be New Zealand bound!

He placed his pin in the stake office to represent where he will be serving.

We are so proud of him and so excited for all he will do as a missionary!

He spent the the next two weeks living the missionary life at home in the home mtc. So many classes and zoom meetings and study sessions. Including a crash course in mandarin. 

Then he started packing his room up. He started without telling me and when I saw I asked him to stop because my heart wasn’t ready. His room has become one of my favorite rooms in the house because it was all his personality and life all over the walls. I wish I had a picture with all the pictures and papers he already took down. And before he moved the desk in and some things around. But these pictures give us the idea.

Kyler spoke in church the week after he was set apart. 

My favorite part of the talk was when he shared his why for serving. He talked about a day when he was feeling really down and was laying in his closet and how he prayed and then he knew he was a Son of God and loved him and knew him and he had a purpose.

We were so grateful for everyone who came to hear him speak and joined us for lunch or the open house afterwards.











Time with his dog at the end of the day. Millie was a hard one for him to leave behind.

Never a serious face, but always one of my favorite people.

And so we had a legit, official missionary!!