Morgan's farewell dinner was just a family affair. We are new to Minnesota and so we don't have too many friends. We invited family to a potato dinner (celebrating Idaho) and we had a pretty good crowd and such a nice time.
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| The centerpieces - fingerling potatoes in Kerr jars - very now. |
We had baked potatoes with all the toppings. We had potato salad (thank you, Sara). There were tater tots for the "kids". And we had mashed potatoes for dessert:
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| Don't worry, they are just cupcakes, a Starburst, and caramel topping!! |
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| Matt is ready to dig in. |
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| Annie, Jen, Sara, Matt, and Morgan discuss the potato crop. |
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| Grandma and Grandpa Hawley |
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| A cousin picture! And Annie's 11th birthday! |
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| Grandma Olsen |
Sunday night, we drove to President Kerr's home for Morgan's setting apart as a missionary. President Kerr was in our ward when we lived in Nashville, so even though Morgan didn't remember him, it was still nice that he wasn't a complete stranger. His wife mentioned that she knew Morgan when she played the box (a violin reference). He was a nice man and said a beautiful blessing for her as she embarks on this new adventure.
Morgan and I flew out to Utah on Monday morning. Monday night we had a farewell dinner with more family and friends. This time it was my friend Tina and her daughters (Rozzie and Maddie's ages) and also Trav's brother Dave and his family (minus the boys). It was a loud occasion at Texas Roadhouse. What a great time we had talking and being together.
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| Dave and Lisa with Kaitlin, Chloe, Lindsey, and Sydney |
Tuesday morning was temple day. Morgan had wanted to go to the Salt Lake Temple. Well, I forgot my recommend, so I went to the Family Search Center across the street for 2 1/2 hours. Morgan ran into some Florida friends in the temple!
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| Salt Lake City Temple - Temple Square is AMAZING, I'm always so impressed with the flowers there. |
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| More of Temple Square flowers |
Next we were off to Provo to visit friends. We visited Lost and Found (that picture is on my phone), and next we went to see the marching band. It was band camp this past week. Morgan sure missed it. Everyone wanted to hug her, but the guys remembered to stop themselves, asked if she was "set apart", and then shook her hand enthusiastically. We had dinner with two of her tuba friends:
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| Pepin and Janine |
That took care of Tuesday. Wednesday morning, we slept in… Morgan couldn't sleep and was up and ready rather early! We had two little errands to run, then we had lunch at Zupa's. There were a few other missionaries having their last meals, too. Morgan was anxious and did a lot of finger tapping. Finally it was time to make our way to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) on BYU campus. It was very busy there. Morgan took pictures as we drove in. I had already cried a couple of times. So I was pretty good at this point.
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| The MTC entrance - long lines of cars and lots of missionaries directing traffic. |
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| We were directed to cone #9 |
We unloaded, hugged, got a picture (it's the one on Facebook), and this sister grabbed Morgan's suitcase and said, "Follow me!" As they walked away, the sister started asking Morgan questions, and that was that!!
And there I was left to wonder what she was doing "right now" for the rest of the day. I pulled out and found a parking lot where I could have a good cry. Then I called Travis and we talked as I drove back toward Park City. It really was an amazing experience to drop her off and say good-bye. I know she is in good hands, she is happy, and she is doing what she knows is the right thing to do. If you read this, please say a prayer for her to do her very best and to work hard.
I have received and email from her and will post that in a day or two. She will be in the MTC until September 9. You may email her at morgan.smith@myldsmail.com or use dearelder.com to get a letter to her the next day for free!! You'll need to know her leave date (sept 9) and her unit #172.
