I'm So Lucky

Yesterday was a hard day for me. A week ago yesterday we said goodbye to Rachel at the MTC. Since then I keep waiting for her to call me. She always calls! She calls me almost every day! Why isn't she calling??! My mind knows why... (she can't)... but my heart keeps waiting for her phone call. I pulled out one of her CD's yesterday and listened to it all afternoon. I can't tell if it helped or not, but it reminded me of her.

Then I reread an e-mail I got a couple of days ago from a good friend. The e-mail said, "
You are SO LUCKY to have a missionary!!!! Now you yourself will become an even better missionary here because you will want to tell people about your daughter in Germany and why she's there and it will lead to a gospel discussion. Dixie pondered on what to tell people about what her son was doing and she came upon this phrase that she used ever after: He's teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in Mexico."

After reading that I was reminded again... yes - I am so lucky! I have a daughter who is worthy to serve the Lord. And she wants to! And she is! And I will survive and probably be better because of it. So thank you Kathleen for reminding me of what's important. Now I need to look for opportunities to tell people where my daughter is and why. But in the mean time I'll probably keep listening to her CD's. Hope she doesn't mind. :o)

New Way to Write

Several people have mentioned to me that while Rachel is at the MTC, we can send her e-mails. The way to do this is... go to www.dearelder.com They'll ask you for her mailbox number (#99)and mission code (0326) and then you can send an e-mail. They print off the e-mail and deliver it to her pretty much the same day it is sent. Much faster, and cheaper, than normal slow mail. I like it! And, it looks like there is the option to send care packages through them. Could be fun!

First Letter!

Today in the mail we got Rachel's first letter home. Here is an excerpt from it:

"I survived my first 24 hours! I'm doing pretty good. German is HARD! I keep confusing it with spanish, so it's frustrating. I'm really having a hard time pronouncing the words but I keep practicing. My companion took a couple years in junior high and I think she's really good. She helps me and is very encouraging. Her name is Sister Stewart and I really like her. She's from Orem, Utah and we have the same birthday! I'm really glad she's my companion and we have awesome elders in our district! I really like our branch president too.

Alright, well time seriously flies by at the MTC and I gotta run. I'm eating the food but I think it's because we can only eat at our scheduled times and no time for snacks. So I'm SO hungry by the time we get to eat.

I haven't really cried since I've been here, but when I'm in class learning German I have a hard time not crying. Oh well, it'll get better. I just have to keep working on it."

That's it! Short, sweet and so wonderful to finally hear from her!

And She's On Her Way!

Once inside the MTC we snapped a few photos in the lobby before entering the chapel. Notice that cute missionary tag! She was excited to put it on.

The night before, we said teary goodbyes and held eachother and cried. So, our goodbyes at the MTC were quick and not so emotional. I had promised her that I would only cry respectable tears in the MTC - and I kept that promise. I could tell that Rachel was ready to get going. She'd said goodbye to so many people, had two family dinners and a family lunch, wandered around the mall AND she had spent 14 hours in the car with us! She was ready to get this new adventure started!

The man that spoke to us in the MTC made a funny comment... He said that we should change the age that we send out missionary boys to age 16. This would be good for two reasons. One - 16 year old boys know everything. Two - the moms wouldn't cry when they got sent away! After spending so many hours in the car with teenage boys... I think he's onto something!

They gave us a more detailed address for her while she's in the MTC. If you used the previous address it will work, but they're asking that we now use this address:

Sister Rachel Michelle Doty
MTC Mailbox #99
GER-FRA 0326
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

They're anticipating she will leave for Germany around March 26th. I know she would appreciate letters from friends and family!

The Missionary Training Center

We arrived at the MTC around 11:30 am and snapped a few pictures before heading inside. It was COLD!!

Family Lunch

Rachel requested we eat at her favorite restaurant - PF Chang's. So, we picked up Allen from BYU, met Grandma Doty and all enjoyed lunch together. I have to admit that I got teary eyed having my family all together again.

Saying Goodbye...

Here are a few pictures of Rachel saying goodbye to family and friends.

Final Days

Rachel has been crazy busy these last few days. She's trying to pack and sort through things in her room. The last two nights she's worked from 9 pm until 4 am at American Eagle doing set changes. I know she's exhausted!

Yesterday we did a temple session together. There's something so wonderful about being in the temple with my daughter. I hope someday to be there with the boys too.

Today she will speak in church, have one last extended family dinner and then get set apart by the Stake President. Tomorrow we will leave for Utah.

MTC Address..starting Jan 23rd

Sister Rachel Michelle Doty
Germany Frankfurt Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604

I don't know how long I'll be there or what my address will be when I leave. I'll have my mom post it when we know!

The Countdown

Rachel has been called to serve an 18-month mission in Frankfurt, Germany.

We're down to the final days before she enters the MTC.

Yesterday we celebrated Grandma's birthday by going out to lunch and shopping. It was so much fun, but also a little bitter-sweet.