Watch Out, Atlanta!

We finally got our first letter from Rachel, so my mother heart can probably handle writing a blog post about her departure.  I still miss her, but I feel a little comforted now that I have heard from her and know that she is alive and well.  I suspect a part of me will ache the whole time she is gone, but I am grateful for the opportunity she has to serve in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission.  She's going to have an awesome experience.

One interesting note about her departure is that she got to enter the MTC the very same day as her cousin, Jake Hansen.  He is my twin sister's oldest son, and he will be serving in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Going on a mission is a little scary, and in some odd way, I think it helped Rachel (and Jake) to know they had a cousin going through the same process they were.

Rachel and Jake just before they entered the MTC. 
Jake went in 30 minutes before Rachel did.

Per Jake's request and prior to the dropoff, we had a family gathering at J Dawg's, a newly-opened, popular Provo hot dog joint.  The hot dogs were pretty good, but I'll have to admit that I enjoyed the Mexican street dogs we had with Mike's parents in Hermosillo even more.  It was really fun to be with Jake and his parents and all of our immediate family except for Andrew.
  

The kids rightly claim that I never get my picture taken, so I'm trying
to embrace the idea and not shy away from the camera so much.  Here I
am with my mouth stuffed full of hot dog.  Charming, no?

Aunt Brenda interrupted her busy work day to come and say another
"goodbye" to Rachel.  She is such a joy to all of my kids.  They LOVE her!

After a yummy lunch, it was time to wend our way to the MTC.  They've torn down the old Missionary Training Center sign, so we had to take some pictures across the street instead.  It was a bit cold and windy, but the blustery weather kind of distracted me from the coming departure.  I was grateful for that.

Elder Hansen and his parents, Karen and Brian.

Sister Young and her parents, me and Mike.

Sisters!  Karen and Rachel even like each other now.  Who would've guessed?!

Matt and Rachel won't see each other for about two and a
half years.  Matt has his papers in and is awaiting a mission call.
We hope he leaves as soon as the semester is over.

Adam and Rachel are just about the same height right now.
I suspect they won't be when Rachel returns in a year and a half.



My goofball children wanted to recreate a picture they took a few years ago.
 Fortunately, Rachel's back was still intact when it was time for her to go.



Man, it's hard to let my kids go. . . even when I
know they're headed where they're supposed to go.

So, Sister Young is happily settled into the MTC.  She'll be there for another two weeks, and then it's on to Georgia.  I'm excited to hear of her adventures and feel so grateful that she is worthy and willing to serve.  And now I'm going to go hug her pillow or something. . .  A year and a half is going to fly by, right?