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.

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.

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.