Time to Play Catch-Up (MTC)

Boy, the last couple of months have just flown by! There's so much that happened in our family that I haven't written about here on my blog. Much of it's been mentioned (or shown) on Facebook, but that's not the place I've been hoping to preserve memories and thoughts, so I will play a little catch-up. Probably the best way for me to do this is to work backwards...starting with last week when Carson went to the MTC.

Wednesday January 9, 2013
(quick reminder, Carson was called to serve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa mission--French speaking. As a young American, he can only serve in 3 cities, 2 in Cameroon and 1 in Congo. He won't even be allowed to enter the DRC)
We weren't leaving the house until 11, everything had been packed, Maren was picked up from school (she had to go to 1st period to take a test), what were we to do? Oh yes, take a few more pictures :)

Carson is going to miss his doggy

Dexter did NOT like this photo

Can you tell Maren is cold?

All too soon it was time to leave for lunch. Carson had requested Smashburger--yum! We met Aubrey there (as he had left early for a class) and all had yummy burgers, fries, and shakes. Tasty, tasty :)  After lunch we went up to the Provo Temple for a few last pictures before going across the street for the final drop off.

silly things happen in Provo...

Now it was time. So bittersweet. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I didn't cry as much as I thought I would. Maybe because Tuesday afternoon/evening had taken it all out of me, I don't know. Here are the pictures of all of us hugging Carson goodbye.

I love my boy!

And here's a final picture of him walking into the MTC

I received a letter in the mail on Saturday and an email today. He knows he's doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. Even though the first few days were kind of tough, he has already had good help to figure out how to work through those feelings. I'm so excited for all that's in store for Carson!