Meet Elder Rios

Yesterday, we got a wonderful call and email from Robert and Joy Rios. They are the proud parents of Elder Ryan Rios – Elder Bellomy's training companion.

From Elder Bellomy's email, it was clear that he has a great 'trainer.' The contact from Robert and Joy confirmed that fact.

Elder Rios is from Highland, Utah. (I think I remember that correctly.) He is also the District Leader over ten companionships. He has been on his mission for over a year. He and Elder Bellomy have a lot in common. They both enjoy music, play instruments, and are interested in accounting careers. Robert said that Elder Rios told them in his email home that Elder Bellomy is a hard worker and a good missionary. Being the companion to a District Leader has the added benefit that Elder Bellomy will get to see and experience different areas, situations, and missionaries in his first area. The district is close enough to the city that they have several Houston landmarks within the district. Susan (Elder Bellomy's Mom) is very pleased that Elder Rios is such a good guy and that his first area and companion is shaping up to prepare him well for his entire mission.

The Rios' also included some photos of the missionary apartment. I must say that it looks better than I thought it would...and nicer than almost all of my apartments. (You know that I slept in the snow without blankets on my pioneer-era mission.) Here is what the place looks like.

We want to thank the Rioses for having such a great son and missionary. We appreciate the contact and photos from them. We're thankful for the kind things they have been doing for Andrew...even praying for him before they knew who their son would be training. Elder Rios is in our family's prayers as well.

Diversity, roaches, guns, and tracting.

Mondays are preparation days in the Texas Houston South Mission. Elder Bellomy just sent his first email from his first area. Elder Bellomy is happy, challenged...and having a LOT of new experiences.

His trainer companion is Elder Rios. Eldrew (short for Elder Andrew) reports that Elder Rios thinks that he is an "amazing missionary already." He is encouraged by this.
The companionship's apartment is small, smelly, and overrun with coach roaches. (That brings back fond memories of my apartments on my mission) He seems okay with the living arrangements. Tracting is hard (hmmmm...same as on my mission.) People can be rude — but Elder Bellomy is already learning to "shrug" that off. In fact, he thinks he is pretty good at tracting. He finds that teaching the restored Gospel brings the Spirit the most.

They are in a rougher part of town. However, the people seem to know the missionaries and he feels safe. One guy flashed a gun at them while they were tracting...but because the guy said that he liked Eldrew's blue tie he thinks that he was pretty safe. One fellow called them and threatened them with an announced visit with a gun if the missionaries came to his house unannounced again.

Overall, Eldrew says that right now it is emotionally stressful — but that he can do it. He misses home and Whitney in the evenings when he has time to think. He gets to sleep quickly and he says he will do fine
Elder Bellomy reports that the ward is ethnically diverse. There are people from all over. He met an African American convert named Goldy May Johnson. She's 94 Years old and joined the Church two years ago. She gave him some SNICKAS! (snickers candy bars). He thinks she is really cool.

He can only exchange emails with direct family. He can write once a week on Mondays. He can receive snail mail every day. Soooo, he is asking everyone to send mail. He'd love to hear from everyone.

His current address is:

Elder Andrew Bellomy
12945 South Post Oak # 165
Houston, TX 77046

Be sure to drop him a line.

Elder Whipple...Hurricane Ike....and F.E.M.A.

Elder Whipple who came home from the Texas Houston South Mission reported his mission today.

Because I happen to be vested in this particular mission, his report was of great interest to me.

Elder Whipple told some of some great experiences while on his mission. He really grew in Spirit and dedication. He is an outstanding young man.

I asked him if he got to see Elder Bellomy -- he did. The departing missionaries were sitting and waiting in the airport terminal while the new missionaries got off the plane. (The flight returns to Salt Lake City.) Elder Whipple says he was sitting watching the sixteen new missionaries as they walked down the concourse. He said that Elder Bellomy was in front, leading the way. He said that Elder Bellomy looked great and seemed happy and enthusiastic.

Elder Whipple described the amazing impact of Hurricane Ike. It was a Category 3 hurricane that tore right through their mission area. Elder Whipple told how the eye of the hurricane passed right over his location. After the hurricane, they more or less suspended missionary work and spent weeks helping with the clean up. The LDS Church is always very active in after-disaster service. In fact, the local joke is that if you needed assistance after the hurricane, you should get F.E.M.A. -- Find Every Mormon Available!

Given that Elder Whipple was the Assistant to the President, I asked him if he knew where Elder Bellomy's first area is. If I heard him correctly, he is in an area known as Maplewood. I will confirm that tomorrow when Elder Bellomy emails us.

It was great to shake the hand of Elder Whipple who so recently shook the hand of Elder Bellomy!

Coming tomorrow...Mission report from Elder Whipple.

This Sunday, Elder Greg Whipple of the Deuel Creek Ward will be reporting his mission to the High Council and will be speaking to his ward. He is the son of Brent and MaryKay Whipple. They live in the ward next to ours. (We have known them for years from the time when our home was in that ward.)

Elder Whipple just finished serving in the Texas Houston South Mission. He served as the Assistant to the President for his last few months. He came home the same day that Elder Bellomy arrived in Texas. I am told that the arriving missionaries and the homecoming missionaries get a chance to meet at the airport. If so, then Elder Whipple will have seen Elder Bellomy this week.

I happen to serve on the High Council, so I will share later his report to the Council. Susan and I are planning on attending the Deuel Creek ward to hear Elder Whipple's talk. If you are interested, the meeting is at 12:30 PM located at 960 North 400 West in Centerville, Utah. If you are coming  via I-15 simply take the Centerville exit going east, turn north (left) at the Dairy Queen intersection...and the chapel is about two blocks on your left.

It should be interesting to hear about the Texas Houston South Mission from someone who just served there.

See you there!

Arrival in Texas. (According to Elder Bellomy)

We got snail mail today from Elder Bellomy announcing his safe arrival in Texas. (We'd already gotten an email from Sister Saylin — Your Missionary has arrived.) We just thought we'd share his note home:

He also included some artwork given him by one President and Sister Sayln's children. He is obviously pleased with it to send it home for safe-keeping in the scrapbook that his Mom is going to do.

Your Missionary Has Arrived

We got the following email today:

Hello loved ones! Greetings from the Texas Houston South Mission….

Pres. Saylin and I wanted to let each of you know your missionary has arrived safe and sound. They are happy and well and we love them already! You should be very proud of them. They are incredible and a wonderful addition to the mission. Tomorrow they will have some training in the morning and by later afternoon they will be off to their first area with their trainers. Their P-day will be on Mondays, so please look for their email that day. I know they will be looking for one from you!


May you know of our great love for them and may your family be blessed by their missionary labors as they help to bring souls unto Christ.


Much love,


Pres. and Sister Saylin and family

Kate, Scott (not pictured), Keith (not pictured), Seth, Sophie and Chloe

(Note from us: Elder Bellomy is on the far right of the first row of elders.)

Texas Bound.

(Texas Houston South Mission) General update and news from the travel front.

MTC update: News from Elder Bellomy has been all good. We even had a chance to talk to him today while he was at the airport in Salt Lake City waiting for his flight.

First news from Elder Bellomy's last letter. We got an email late last week. He was excited and loving the MTC. He told us that he was studying as much as eight hours straight and keeping up and attentive. (WOW!!!) He and his district were so excited to hear Elder Holland of the Quorum of the Apostles speak that they skipped dinner to get a seat in the auditorium. He was excited and ready to get to the mission field

On the road to Texas. Today is the day that Elder Bellomy arrived in the 'Mission Field."

Today, around 9:30 I got the call from him at the air port. It was great to hear his voice. He sounds happy and content. He said he really enjoyed the MTC and said that he told one of the trainers after two days that he couldn't understand why anyone would leave. He really enjoys teaching the missionary discussions and feels the spirit when he is doing them. He is a little nervous that he doesn't know them better, but is ready to teach.

Fat and Sassy: Elder Bellomy said that he didn't eat too much the first couple of days because he was nervous...happy...but nervous. But once he was acclimated to the MTC, he chowed down. He says he gained SEVEN POUNDS in less than three weeks at the MTC. His favorite meal is the Fiesta Chicken with mashed potatoes.

Apparently, prep days at the MTC are very efficient...and short. You have a regular day until lunch. Then you go to the temple and do laundry you don't really have time to do anything else. In a display of genius efficiency, the MTC puts the computers for writing emails home in the Laundromat. That way, the missionaries can do emails while they wait for the laundry to get done.

Elder Bellomy's travel companion is Elder Oliver. He was really excited because he and Elder Oliver were room mates and have so much in common. Having a great elder like that helped Elder Bellomy adapt to the whole MTC routine.

I can't help but wonder where and what Elder Bellomy is doing right this moment. He is actually in Texas...and is starting the real part of his mission. Send good thoughts and prayers his way.

A new twist on a family tradition.

It is a tradition in our family to gather for Sunday dinner. We eat, relax and enjoy talking.

Tonight, we burned some hamburgers and started a new tradition. Now that Elder Bellomy in on his mission, we gather around the living room and read all the letters Andrew has sent to family, ward, and his girlfriend. This collective sharing provides the most complete view of how Elder Bellomy is doing. We also spend time telling Andrew stories from before he went on his mission.

From the other letters we heard tonight, we learn that the Elders have a pull up contest every night...and Andrew always wins. He enjoys going to the Temple with his companion and district. He misses Whitney...and she misses him. One of the Elders in his district (I think the one from West Point) has a lot of common interests with Elder Bellomy. They listened to the same radio shows, enjoy the same music, and other interests. He describes staying up late one night and talking with his companion, whom he really respects. From everything we are hearing...he is very happy.

He has his travel itinerary. He will be flying out on September 22. We don't know the time...and I don't think we are supposed to.

We will keep you posted on any more updates. In the meantime, we are going to finish just hanging out.

If you are ever interested in coming and hanging out on Sunday afternoon and listening to the letters...just give us a call for the time.

Love from Elder Bellomy.

We received Elder Bellomy's letter today.
He is doing well. He sounds energetic and engaged. He is learning and working. He reports that he has mastered the first missionary lesson. From what we can tell from his letter, he has an assignment to work in some sort of call center to contact people who have asked for materials from the Church. Elder Bellomy says that he has arranged for two missionary visits with people interested in the Church. This is getting him excited. He says he can't wait to teach. He says the manifestations of the Spirit are "so strong" when he presents the lessons.

As mentioned earlier, he really likes his room mate and his companion is a good guy.
He made requests of each member of the family: 

Sarah: "Stay away from the boys!"

Adam: "Postpone the wedding until 2012!" (fat chance says Dad)

Liz &Spencer: "I want neices or nephews!"

Ma &Pa: "Keep praying for me!"

Sounds like he is off to a good start. It would be great if his letters were longer.

Here is his signature:

"I'm as happy as I can be."

I just had the opportunity to speak with Elder Bellomy on the phone. With the permission of the MTC, we were taking care of some insurance matters. Elder Bellomy's District President stepped away for a moment to receive and email from me, and gave us permission to talk.

With the clock ticking...I got in as many questions in as I could. Elder Bellomy says that he is doing well. He told me that "I'm as happy as I can be." The tone of his voice, his manner, his confidence all told me this is true.

He reports that he likes his companion. He is particularly happy with one of his room mates who is going to the same mission he is. The Elder is from just a few miles down north of Centerville -- West Point. The Elder attended Clearfield High School where Susan did some substitute teaching. I think that this link to home with an Elder of similar background is great for Elder Bellomy.

We expect a letter from Andrew today, so I am sure there will be more to tell later.

Snail mail coming...

I just knew that as soon as I said we have not heard from Elder Bellomy...something would happen. Susan just discovered an email from Elder Bellomy in her inbox. It was a test email to sent this around 6PM. No real news in the email...just a test and letting us know that a snail mail is on the way.

The email is only 33 words...but it is good to hear from him. I will update his status as soon as the snail mail arrives on Friday.

One week today.

Well, it has been one week today since Elder Bellomy went into the MTC to prepare for his service in the Texas Houston South Mission. We have received one short note from him last Friday. He said he is doing well, he likes his companion, and that his faith and testimony have 'doubled.'

Interestingly enough, we don't know when preparation days are in the MTC. Nor do we know when he can receive and read emails. We think he has an email address, but do not know what it is.

So, for now we are in something of a bubble. We will keep everyone posted when we hear something.

Letter from the MTC Presidency.

We got an email from the MTC Presidency letting us know that Andrew is all checked in. It has some useful information regarding his address and mail policies. Since all of you are sharing this experience, here is the letter:

Dear family of Andrew Paul Bellomy,

We are pleased to inform you that your missionary has been safely checked in at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. We thank you for supporting your missionary and know that your family will be blessed as a result.

Your missionary's mailing address while at the MTC is:

Andrew Paul Bellomy
MTC Mailbox # 257
TX-HOUS 0922
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Please note the following items:

1. Missionary service began upon arrival. Please do not arrange or request visits with your missionary, particularly "unanticipated" meetings at the temple or in proximity to the MTC.
2. All missionary mail must come through the US Mail or commercial delivery services. Hand delivered items will NOT be accepted. Do not send pizzas, fast foods, ice-cream, or any items that will spoil if they are not refrigerated within 24 hours. Missionaries are not called out of class to receive packages, nor do they have access to a refrigerator.

3. Communicate with your missionary weekly through letters sent to the above address or through the email account that the missionary will set up within the first two weeks. Only immediate family can send to this email account. Telephone calls for missionaries cannot be accepted.

4. Families and friends should not plan to visit departing missionaries at the airport or MTC. Farewells should have been said at home before the missionary arrived at the MTC.

Should you need to communicate with the MTC, do not reply to this email, but call 801-000-0000.

Sincerely,

Provo MTC Presidency

I you are inclined to send him a letter, I know he'd appreciate it. He leaves the MTC on September 22. So, time any mail to arrive before then.

What was lost is found.

There was one apparent mishap during the room cleaning that had Andrew very concerned (can you say---semi-meltdown). It definitely threatened to permanently alter his I.D. collection that was for sure! You see, he thought he had thrown away $50 in cash and his very first...and former driver's license. (He had to get a new one with a later expiration date for his mission). Andrew has every picture I.D. since Junior High school and now his collection would never be complete. The money was an inconvenience but more easily replaced in his mind. In his fervor to declutter, he had emptied a big tub full of stuff into a trash bag.

Because it was garbage day the next day, his dad made sure that Andrew deposited the bag in the trash can at the curb. The next day, when Andrew was putting the finishing touches on the room, he realized that the money and I.D....and uh oh...his new credit card were missing. Once he reached the trash can at the curb...he realized that it was too late and the garbage man had already come! There was much weeping and wailing but after a few hours there was a degree of resignation...though he had to tell everyone the story placing the blame squarely on his dad for asking him to take the bag to the curb.

Adam on the other hand was not convinced that all was lost. He said, "Watch, we'll find all that stuff tucked away somewhere." It turned out he was right but it was much more obvious than that. Adam picked up a pair of pants that Andrew had left on the bathroom floor, reached into the pocket and tah dah!!!! There was the $50, Andrew's former license and the credit card.
Hurray! Our very first mission miracle. :)

Before and after. NOT RETOUCHED!

Andrew's last assignment before he left was to clean his room.

Andrew's room before:

Andrew's room after:

We have to do a shout out to Whitney, Andrew's girlfriend who actually did most of the work. (He is a lazy bum.)

Drive-by drop off.

We dropped Andrew off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo today. It was another bittersweet experience.

We got to town early and had lunch with Linda and Don Montierth and their son who also entered the MTC today. Susan and Linda are both converts to Mormonism who have known each other since kindergarten. It is an amazing coincidence that we both have sons who went on missions on the same day.

When I was a missionary, the process for entering the MTC was that families escorted their children into a large auditorium and had a presentation directed by the MTC Mission President. At the end of the assembly, missionaries were directed out one door and families out another door. There was always sort of an emotional mass goodbye. Family members and missionaries were prone to buckets of tears.

Nowadays, you simply leave your missionary at the curb. We call it the "tuck-and-roll" method. You drive onto the MTC campus and are directed to the south/east sidewalk along the main street. There are dozens of 'stations' for dropping off the missionary. As soon as you pull up to the station you have been directed to, three or four 'Host' missionaries cheerfully greet you and begin pulling suitcases out of the trunk. In moments, there is a quick round of hugs and the missionary is led away to meet his fate. It all happens in such a happy, fast manner that it is over before you know it.

Susan came up with the best analogy Doing a drive-by drop-off is like pulling a Band-Aid off as fast as you can instead of as slow as you can. Fast may be shocking...but it is over before you really have a chance to get all worked up. Slow separations lead to anticipatory emotions and are a lot more emotional.

If you are ever doing a tuck-and-roll drop-off at the MTC, here are a few suggestions.

1. Arrive a few minutes before your assigned time. This allows you a few extra minutes of walking around with your missionary.
   
2. When you are there a little early, park in the lot directly to the East of the MTC. The lot is open all day to those dropping off missionaries. There is a very nice volunteer attendant who will explain the best way to drop-off your missionary.
   
3. Take most of your MTC photos before you get to the curb. You will be really rushed when you are dropping off your missionary.
   
4. Our favorite photo of outside the MTC is the gated entrance with the MTC name. You'll have to wait a few minutes for your turn, but it is fun to watch the other families do their photos. There is a happy buzz with dozens of missionaries and their families. (This is why you want to get there a few minutes early.)
   
5. Be on time...but not ON TIME. We rushed ourselves a little and realized after that nobody was verifying our exact arrival time. If you get to the curb within the 15 minute period before the next wave, you should have no problems.
   
6. Linger a moment to watch your missionary as he walks away. As soon as Andrew turned and walked away, I got in the car. I missed one last glance at my son as he disappeared. An extra few seconds would have been nice.

We are so proud of our son Andrew. The drive home was happy, but somber. We can hardly believe that the mission has started and that we have two years before we will see him again. We miss him already. This is the first time that Andrew has been away from home...really away from home. We hope that he will be resilient and faithful and will thrive in the MTC and in Houston.

Please keep him and all the missionaries in your prayers.

The bittersweet goodbyes.

The setting apart was wonderful. President Morris gave a special blessing. Andrew Bellomy is now, officially Elder Bellomy.
We now have an awkward few hours while Elder Bellomy is in sort of a twilight zone. Officially a missionary, he still has his non-mission friends, girlfriend, and family around. It is sort of normal...yet not. We all hung out together after the setting apart. One-by-one, people departed with tears and happiness as they said goodbye for two years. It was particularly hard to see Elder Bellomy's sister Elizabeth say goodbye. It was as if she didn't want to leave because it meant that it would be the last time for such a long, long time.
When 10:30 rolled around, the family and Andrew's friends gathered in a circle and said a prayer together. Saying goodbye to his girlfriend Whitney was hard. Because he is now set apart, it had to be a rather public goodbye with his 'pseudo' companion Dad standing and watching. It made it hard to be tender...especially since there could be no privacy or physicality. It was hard for both of them.
We will be up early in the morning to go to the gym and final prep for the trip to Provo. If the goodbyes tonight were hard, I can't imagine what it will be like at the MTC tomorrow.
Andrew and his Dad had companion prayer tonight and we will take tomorrow with all the sweetness and sadness it will bring.

730 days and counting.

In just about an hour, Andrew will be set apart by President Morris, our Stake President, as a missionary for the LDS Church. Andrew will be serving in the Texas Houston South Mission. He is excited and ready to go. We'll be dropping him off at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah tomorrow.

Nowadays, parents don't go into the mission home for orientation. We'll just drop him off at the curb and drive away. We had a last dinner together tonight at Cafe Rio. His bags are packed. He is ready to go.

Andrew has been preparing for his mission by going to the temple. He took out his endowments in the Bountiful Temple. He also visited the Manti Temple with his Dad. He also did baptisms at the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple and the Salt Lake Temple. He went back to the Bountiful temple today.

Andrew will be ordained tonight as a minister for the LDS Church. He will be a witness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As soon as he is set apart, he will be expected to follow missionary protocol. He will have his Dad as a 'companion.' They will read scriptures, go the gym, and be together until he is dropped off at the Missionary Training Center tomorrow.

Once Andrew is set apart, he will serve as a missionary for two full years away from home. We will be counting down the 730 days until we see him again.