Celebrating lil' Matt before the MTC -- They say it only takes about two years before you stop missing him!

Our Son, Matthew is in the MTC in Provo. It's been three days. We're all so happy for him to be in that glorious place, 2500 missionaries strong, all working for a common goal. He's the tall one in the long-sleeved white shirt, in case ya didn't know. Some of my co-workers thought the missionary was David, in the suit!! haha!! People die when I tell them David and JJ, the one wearing the short-sleeved white shirt are twins. They'll probably leave for their missions in January of 2012. Matt will be back by then for a few months. These are some fun pictures of the Sunday when Matt gave his farewell talk in church.

I love this picture of me with my siblings. Mike, Amy, me, Di and Steve. There are two more sibs that couldn't make it. Their names are Janna (St.George, UT), the oldest and Jeff (Jacksonville, FL), the second to youngest. My mom and Dad are serving a mission in St. Louis, MO, and couldn't make it either. We missed them, but we know they had other obligations. For those of us who made it, it was the funnest time to be together again. My two sisters, Diana and Amy in the picture with me down lower, SURPRISED me by flying in on Sat. . . . calling me, asking me about Sunday's farewell, chit chatting, and then dropping the hint, "is there enough food for two more?" . . . uh???? I DIED .....what????? you're coming???? you're here?????!!!!!!!!!! It was so awesome!!! We had some great laughs about that and just in general. We quote some movie lines and sing songs like "In The Hollow of thy Hand"--with harmony and cracking up. (Don't worry if you don't get it, it's an inside joke.)
The day (wed. 9/16) we took M to the MTC, we went to Macaroni Grill for an early lunch, drove up the canyon to Bridal Veil Falls, and just enjoyed the last few hours being together. It was as sweet as honey.
The MTC "curbside drop off" was actually a great experience. Two random missionaries came up to greet us (who had been in 8-10 weeks already, learning their language) and, after talking with them, we said our goodbyes, and up the hill they went, . . . . with our son. One was pulling the suitcase, the other was shaking his hand, as I turned to glance. They were beautiful, they were shining in the sun, hey, they would've been shining even if there was no sun. They're full of the Spirit of God. It was a beautiful Fall day. Matt was smiling, so were they......they just scooped him right up and into the loving arms of . . . . the MTC. Then I got in the car and wept all the way home. When I got home, I thought about his bedroom being empty for two years and got choked up all over again.
Our friend Ron Floyd says it only takes about two years before you stop missing him. haha. Our friend, Holly says the drop off at the MTC/being in the MTC is what it's like when we die and go to heaven. Two little angels greet you, escort you away, through the doors, and everyone else is left behind, living in this world without you. haha, a little dramatic!
I am looking forward, now, to hearing about all the great work he'll be doing in Honduras, along the Caribbean Sea and the people he's going to meet and help them change their lives for the better, strengthening families, couples. It's going to be a great experience for the twins and all of us to get "into it" with Matt. I'm anxious for the blessing of having a missionary to propel our family upward.













Out for sushi with Steve, my brother and his great and adorable wife, Jenn.
Matt with Jessica, Tanner and Davey. The most cherished friends.
That is Matt's Grandma & Grandpa Tenney. Two people that are the salt of the earth. There were a whole host of Tenneys here, it was great to have them.