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.