The Excitement.... of a phone call.... and the other excitement of another phone call.....

Yesterday morning, Sean was scheduled to leave from SLC to Sacramento at 8:40 am.... (MST). At 8:40 am (CST) I received a call from an 801 area code!! I was psyched! I knew it had to be him... and yes it was, he was calling from the airport to talk for a few minutes before his flight. I was so excited to talk to him and hear about his last 3 weeks. And, I did hog the call... I didn't share with any family.... but that was because I was already at the office and so I didn't have to share with anyone....hahahah. Yes, at times, I can be evil and selfish! So far so good, he really enjoyed his time at the MTC, but he was also very excited to leave the MTC and head to California. He was also excited to see life outside of the MTC as well! Then yesterday afternoon, I received a quick email from him saying that he was at the mission home and that he was waiting to meet his trainer and find out where he would be for the next 3 months (approximately). So all is great.... So happy to talk to him, and so happy to know that he had made it to his destination okay...

Then tonight... I had a 916 area code on my cell (Yes, that is the area code of the mission home) and instantly got all excited, thinking, wow, he got to call me again, but no, it was a Sister Kolditz calling to tell me that Sean had arrived safely yesterday and that he was such a nice young man.... and to tell me that the mountain bike I ordered for him was damaged.... HUH>>>>ARGHHH>.... really not a big deal... but, I had ordered a SWEEET Jeep Renegade mountain bike (see below, pretty sweet huh?), and I had not told him what kind of bike I ordered. He loved his Jeep Wrangler, so I thought he should continue the Jeep tradition with a Jeep Bike. So for the past three weeks, I've teased him in every letter about the sweet bike that would be waiting for him at the mission home... only for him to get there and find a damaged sweet bike.... But all is okay.... I called and the company I ordered from (Amazon) will be sending UPS to pick up the old bike and will be delivering a new bike on Friday of this week. Now, lets all keep our fingers crossed that the new bike will arrive with no damage!!

Mail Call.... yep, love it when the mail-lady delivers a letter from Sean!

We received a letter from Sean today - Yea Letter No 2. And earlier in the week, was able to "chat" with him on email for a few minutes.

He is doing great. Sounds like he is very busy. He listed his daily schedule which is so jammed packed. It is great hearing from him - and hearing him sound so excited. Hard to believe he has already been at the MTC for 10 days. He will leave for California on August 30th.

Said he is going to send his picture memory card home as soon as he receives the other one I sent him so that I can download some of his pictures from the MTC.

Now, I will look forward to Tuesday which is his P-day so that I can get email from him!

The First Letter!

The wait for the first letter has been a loooooonnnnnnnggggg few days. Yes, I know that he only went into the MTC last Wednesday afternoon - but the time between then and now has just been long. I didn't really start looking for a letter until Saturday - thinking if he sent a letter out Thursday morning, that maybe it would be here on Saturday, but no letter. Then I started fearing that when he teased me that he wouldn't write me, that maybe he really meant it, but tis not so....he did write -  our first letter arrived today. (And, yes, I am neurotic!)

In just the few short days that Sean has been at the MTC, his three most frequently used words in a two page letter are "way", "cool" and "awesome". So here is a quick synopsis of his first few days:

1 - His companion is way cool. He's like from Sandy UT and he is way cool. [so I think this means he is getting  along well with his comp]
2 - On day one and two, he already started mock teaching pretend investigators - and yes, this too, was way cool. And on day two, he did way better than day one.
3 - The food is good - but you really pay for it afterwards... hmmmmm.....
4 - He went to bed on time and was way tired the next day. [yes, anyone who knows Sean, knows that going to bed early is not in his schedule - so this will take some getting use to]
5 - Two requests for stuff - pens that don't splatter out so much ink and more letters. [This does surprise me - I thought he would request junk food, but no, he would like pens. So, being a good Mom, I'll send him some good pens tomorrow]

We were so excited to hear from him and know that all is going "way cool". Looking forward to when he has his first p-day so that I can hear from him through the email as well.

It's Official...

So, I said yesterday was the Big Day, Part 1 - today was even Bigger Day, Part II. After having a great night and morning with his cousins, Eric and Kristen & kiddo's accompanied Sean to the MTC. Eric informs me that I am probably very glad I was not there - because it literally was a Drop and Run. Meaning - once they drove in to the drop off section of the MTC, they were greeted by two "Host" missionaries, who took Sean's luggage and then accompanied him inside...... but wait..... Kristen was able to get a few pictures of our missionary before he disappeared into the MTC..... and I am so thankful to Kristen and Eric - and little Miss Cami and Mr Luke for spending time with Sean last night and this morning. I am sure that he loved it! 

And yes.... now it is time for the pictures!

 

Eric being Mr. Chauffeur Man - instead of driving Miss Daisy - we have driving Elder Simmons....

The "Host" Missionaries there to accompany Sean to his first moments inside the MTC... And I'm gonna have to say, wow... they look like vultures, just waiting...... da da da da (insert Jaws music here...)

 At this point, Kristen said this is when they (the vultures, um, I mean Host Missionaries) were pretty much like, "Alright Elder, let's go" and Kristen had to say, "can I take some pictures first!" 

Cousins - hugs goodbye....Awwww,,,,

Ok, let's get serious now... better hugs...

And, now it is the time.... Look out MTC and California Roseville - you are getting a great one! I know, because, he is our son! (Yep, we are soooo proud).

Today was flight day!

Well.... today was the big day, Part I. Sean left for Utah today. He is going to be spending tonight with his cousin Eric and his wife Kristen and the kiddos. Tomorrow will be the big day, Part II - checking into the MTC.

We started this blog to share Sean's mission experience with family and friends. Hope you enjoy.

Today, was a great day.... a lot of tears were shed - both for being sad at knowing we will miss him, but also joy - because he will be on his mission. A goal that he has had for a long time.

Here are a few pictures from the airport....

 Checking in... the moment has finally arrived for him.

Good-bye's to family & friends.

The missionary flashing his smile and sparkly eyes...

This is a Mom and brother sad face...

 
And hugs from the little brothers.

Our final view of him heading to the gate... of which he said he barely made it, they were closing the gate door as he got there!

This pic shows how much Collin does really love his brother...

We are so excited and proud of Sean. This is going to be a great experience for him. (and us too!)