DERRICK - HEADED FOR THE MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER

Derrick won't have to come home to a younger brother who is taller than him.  He left that way!

Derrick's four month wait has finally ended.  Today, November 28, 2012, we took him to the Missionary Training Center.  He didn't have to be there until 1:00 in the afternoon so we just got up this morning and left around 8:00 a.m.  We went the Evanston, Wyoming way.  We took this same route when we took Devin here eight years ago.  When we arrived in Provo, we went to the Olive Garden Restaurant to eat.  The waiter there knew exactly where we were headed and told us he had just returned from his mission about 6 months ago.  He asked Derrick where he was going.  When Derrick answered Tijuana, Mexico; he looked at me and asked how I felt about that.  Four months ago, I would have answered with a "very apprehensive and nervous" but since then, I have been blessed to know that this is truly the place where our Heavenly Father wants Derrick to serve and that all will be well.  After we finished eating our "last dinner" together, we headed back toward the MTC.  We still had a little time left to visit, so we went to a big grassy area across the street where we took a few pictures.  What a beautiful setting with the Provo Temple in the background.
Finally the allotted time arrived.  We all got back in the car and drove across the street where we were then directed to parking spot #15.  We got Derrick's suitcases out and all gave him a hug and said our last goodbyes.  Chelsea and I had done alright up until this time and then we both broke down and shed a few tears - happy/sad tears.  Derrick's missionary helper assured us he was in good hands and then grabbed his bags and lead him down the sidewalk toward the doors of the MTC.  Derrick has talked about and planned for his mission all of his life and today he gets to start this new adventure - HE WAS ALL SMILES!!

Chelsea loves her big brother!!

On our way home, poor Chelsea couldn't stop sobbing.  I was having a hard time controlling my emotions also, so I wasn't much help to her.  When Devin left on his mission, she was only 2 years old, so this was really the first time she had had to go through such an experience.  Ryan was sitting in the back seat with her and kept trying his best to console her.  Derrick had worked for the forest service all summer and fall fighting fires.  He had actually been away from home more than he had been home so Ryan, with his 15 year old wisdom, told Chelsea to just pretend that Derrick was gone on a very long fire; one that he wouldn't be able to put out for 2 years.  This advice didn't seem to help Chelsea much but it got Jerry and I talking about how Derrick wouldn't be putting fires out but rather starting them in the hearts of those people to whom he would teach the gospel.  WHAT A COMPARISON!!