Getting set apart as missionaries!

Pictures before all the tears started flowing!  Getting set apart as Elder and Sister Garrett!

Mom and Dad with President McClure (Stake President)

Connor and Graham

Graham

Mom and Dad just before being set apart.

Tanner 

Holly and Collin

Lindsay, Kadie and Chandler

Chandler and Janice

Brian, Beckie and Graham

Todd and Bret

Connor

Debbie and Susan

J.J. and Jordan

J.J., Jordan, Tanner and Logan (trying to be cool and not cry like their mom's)

Jon

Graham and Connor

AND....Then is was off to the MTC.

 

 

January 17, 2011

 

Hi all,

 

We made it here in one piece with only one mishap.  The plane was only half full so there wasn't much baggage.  Three of ours came right away and then what we thought was our fourth bag with a green tag came next.  We quickly grabbed all four and made the 9a.m. shuttle.  When we got to our room (which is smaller than a cruise ship room) I opened the bag wih the green tag to get a hand towel out, and the top layer was filled with snacks - obviously not ours.  We called the airport and explained how our bag also had a green tag and did they have mine.  They said they did.  The only way we had to get it here was  by a courier.  When it finally got here later in the day, my bag had a bright pink tag - not a green one after all.  But 25 dollars poorer, we have our bag. 

 

We have been in classes most of the day.  Probably half the couples here are going to Navoo.  We did meet the couple going to Singapore a week ahead of us - nice but a little different.

 

One of the greatest things here are the young elders.  Everytime you go through a door, they run and open it for you.  When we were bringing our bags to our room we had about 6 different elders helping - carrying 4 bags at 50 pounds each up to the 2nd floor is not easy.  Everyone here is so happy! 

 

We are both so tired.  We didn't get in bed until about 1 a.m. and then got up at 2:45.  All our bags were overweight, so we were taking things out and re-distributing things to our carryons.  I think we will have to leave some things behind when we leave.

 

We already miss all of you so much.  Saying good-bye to all of you was one of the hardest things we have had to do.  We love you all so much.  But, we know that senior missionaries are desperately needed all over the world.  We know the Lord will bless each of you while we are gone.

 

We love you all sooooo much,

 

Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa)

 

 

 

January 27, 2011

 

Hi all,

 

We finished our MTC training today.  It has been an intense two (or almost two) weeks of training - to help  us be able to do the work we have been called to do.  What a great experience this has been - if for no other reason than to be in the company of such great people - both young and old.  When we have a devotional or a fireside, the Senior Missionaries get to sit up front.  After we have a chance to be seated, they open the doors and let the young Elders and Sisters enter.  Watching a sea of these young people fill the auditorium brings tears to all our eyes.  What marvelous young people to give up 18 months (Sisters) or two years (Elders) of their lives to serve the Lord.  They all treat the Senior Missionaries with such respect.  They will run ahead of you to open the doors or take your dirty meal trays in the cafeteria and they always speak to you - often in different languages.  To see about 2500 young people so happy and thoughtful is a wonderful thing to behold!

 

Of our group of seniors (about 60 of us who entered the 17th), we are the only ones left -the last leaving tonight.  There is another group that came in this Monday but we haven't gotten to know too many of them yet.  It's amazing at what good friends you can become in such a short time.  They are going to be serving all over the world.  Some are going to Nauvoo, San Diego, Los Angeles, Florida, Canada, Norway, Italy, England, Slovania, Siberia, Tonga, Granada and others we can't remember!  After our last class today, we shared testimonies with our office group and many tears were shed as we realized our time together here was coming to an end.

 

The food and desserts have been great.  I think every one is gaining weight - especially when you're sitting in class all day!  It has been cold, but luckily we sent winter clothes over ahead of time - otherwise we would be wearing summer clothes and really freezing.  Our next big challenge is going to be making sure all our luggage is under 50 lbs per bag! 

 

We have the next couple of days free to study, clean our room, pack, attend the Temple, do laundry and rest.  We leave for Singapore Sunday night.  Our flight leaves SLC at 7 p.m.  We fly to San Francisco, and then on to Hong Kong , and then to Singapore.  We are excited to get there and to be able to get settled.  We found out today that there are 7 Elders and 2 Sisters that entered the MTC yesterday that are going to Singapore on the 10th of February.  We are trying to find them so we can meet them.  We have seen photos of them, but it's like trying to find Waldo in a sea of faces!

 

We love all of you and pray for your well being every day!

 

Elder & Sister Garrett (mom & dad, Grandma & Grandpa, etc)