Saying Goodbye at the Provo MTC

Last goodbye to Jordan, Aubrey, and Kaden

Jake and Kaden, best buddies

Also, a few friends stopped by to say goodbye!

The drop off at the curb

One last look back

Goodbye Jake!

Saying Goodbye

Jake left home on July 6.  He flew from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City.  His brother picked him up at the airport when he landed and Jake spent the night with him before entering the MTC the next day.

Last glimpse of my boy for two years

Packing Day

Our tiny one bedroom apartment was bursting at the seams with five people staying in it for a while.  But it seemed to get even crazier when we started packing Jake up!  Needless to say, it was quite the production getting him packed and making sure we didn't forget anything.

Let the packing begin!

A sea of white shirts

I checked things off as we packed them

Jessie wrote Jake's initials on all his shirts and pants

Poor apartment!  It was a wreck!

Molly wasn't sure what to make of all the excitement

And what you ask were Dad and Julie doing during all the packing?

Now a missionary

Jake was set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the 4th of July at the Fredericksburg, Virginia Stake.  The Stake President gave him a beautiful blessing.  We were happy to have both of our daughters here in Virginia so be with us at the setting apart.

Jake's Farewell

Jake's farewell was on June 27, 2010.  We had a wonderful day at church and then a fun open house for him later in the evening.  We love our friends in the Garrisonville Ward!

Brother Russell

Sister Wright, President Sant, Brother Law

Talking with Sister Christiansen and Bob

Dad talking with Brother Wright

Brother Cozzens

Sister Fellows

Brother Bracero, Scott, and David

Alex and Jordan

Julie and Linda

I certainly hope so!

I pass this sign every day on my way to work.  It's down in the Metro station.  I just had to get a picture of Jake in front of it one day before he left on his mission!

Going to the Temple

Jake went through the Washington DC temple on May 15, 2010.  It was a wonderful and beautiful Spring day.