Week 2 Provo MTC--Part 1

 It was crazy trying to get Alysha packed for the Provo MTC.  We ended up running to stores to get last minute items that we discovered weren't going to work and then trying to get everything she would need for the next 18 months into 3 suitcases and stay under a 50lb weight limit for each suitcase proved to be extremely challenging!  We were all exhausted Tuesday night.  On Wednesday October 20th Alysha and I started the day going to Kneaders to get Chunky Cinnamon French Toast for her 21st Birthday/going to the MTC breakfast.  That was fun to have one last adventure with her.  Time seemed to tick slow and fast as the dreaded time came that we needed to get into the car to take her to the MTC.  It didn't help that Alysha started crying before we even left the house because then we were all really emotional.  We each have a day in our house when we are in charge of saying morning and evening family prayer and Wednesday is Alysha's day of the week so through tears she said her last family prayer with us which was the most beautiful and spiritual prayer as we all held hands in a circle.  On the way down to the MTC my birthday time alarm went off indicating that Alysha had reached her birth time and was now officially 21 so we had a great time singing happy birthday to her.  I am so grateful that her group got the last drop off time of 2 pm so that she was still with us when she officially turned 21.  I was not expecting the overwhelming spirit that was at the MTC when we drove to the drop off point.  There was little groups of missionaries out waving and welcoming the new missionaries.  When we stopped, there was a sister missionary who instantly took Alysha under her wing and gave her a hug and helped her gather her things and then took one last picture of us as a family.  Then she lovingly helped Alysha push her suitcases towards the MTC doors while other missionaries jumped into help with her luggage too.  It was extremely hard to see her walk into the MTC doors, but, I was also filled with sense of peace and calm like I was being wrapped in a giant hug from Heavenly Father reassuring me that everything was going to be okay and He was going to take care of her and she was in the place she needed to be.  It was weird because I was not expecting feel both sad and joy at the same time.

The cat has decided to take over Alysha's room, we haven't quite decided if its because she is missing Alysha or that she is glad she is gone so that she can have the whole bed and sunshine to herself!!!

We just discovered a note that Alysha left behind for all of us so that was fun to read.  She was able to message us her first night to let us know she is doing okay.  We got a tiny message today on her p-day saying that she loves being at the MTC.  Hopefully we can catch up with each other later today to do a video chat.