And he's off!

Elder Porter is on his way to the Ukraine! We packed and re-packed and picked up last minute items until literally the last second, but somehow managed to get ourselves on a plane to SLC on Tuesday, May 17th.  That evening we ate Cafe Rio (Brandon's "last meal" request) with Grandma and Grandpa Springer.

Brandon had a hard time sleeping Tuesday night.  He had caught a bad cold which kept him up sniffling, and he had plenty to think about.  We spent many hours that evening/night talking, reminiscing, and enjoying being together.  Brandon has always done his best thinking/talking at night, so missionary life will be a rude awakening.  Hopefully he has made the adjustment!

Wednesday morning we loaded everything into the suitcase for the last time and then left from Grandma and Grandpa Springer's house for the MTC.  It was a truly lousy weather day.  For most of the day it was pouring buckets of rain. The thermometer never climbed past the 40s. Ironically, in rainy Washington it was a beautiful 70 degrees on that same day!

We arrived in time to have lunch at Zupa's in Provo . . . . . along with probably every other missionary/family going to the MTC that day.  The restaurant was full of young men in suits/young women in dresses, surrounded by their family.  We watched the nervous missionaries leave, one by one.  Each missionary is given a "report time" for the MTC.  We had one of the later times. 

We stopped by Shopko to buy two umbrellas and then arrived at the MTC after lunch with about 1/2 hour to say our goodbyes and take a picture by the MTC sign.  Except the sign is gone.  We asked a nice man directing traffic, and he said that the city of Provo asked that the sign be removed about a year ago because it was a traffic hazard.  So, we didn't have a good spot for a photo op.  We walked through the rain to the street across from the MTC and took some last pictures together. 

 We found a sign next to the field adjacent the Provo Temple which at least mentioned missionaries, so we had to do one more picture.

We said goodbye in the parking lot because we knew that that the drop off at the curb of the MTC is fast-paced and doesn't allow time for hugs and tears.  I didn't want us leave until the last possible moment.

I snapped this picture to show that we still had three precious minutes left before he reported!  After our official goodbyes we slowly drove over to the MTC queue, where we would be directed to our drop off spot. 

This was beginning to feel very real for Elder Porter.

Once we parked at the curb, a current missionary greeted us cheerily and engaged Brandon in conversation while helping to grab his luggage. 

 And then they were off . . . . and that was it. 

It was a strange thing to drive away from the MTC without our oldest child. We stopped at the BYU Bookstore for a little fudge therapy.  Can you read the Tshirt above?  It says "Wheat for Man . . . Chocolate for Woman."  In this photo I look as wrung out as I felt.  Whew . . . we made it.

After we returned many people asked how we were feeling about having said goodbye to Brandon.  This is my answer.

I feel happy and excited for him and I know he will make an outstanding missionary.
I know that his mission will be challenging, and I know he can handle it and his experiences will make him stronger.
I feel sad for us to not get to spend time with our awesome son/brother.
I feel empty and at a loss because I spent the last few months really focused on getting Brandon ready and enjoying interacting with him.
I feel proud of our remarkable son. It is a privilege to be his mother, and I'm glad to have had a part of raising him.
Finally, I can't wait for the first letter (Wednesday is P-Day), so we can hear that he is doing all right!
We love you, Brandon!