ELDER UTHAICHAI

Elder Uthaichai left at 6:45am for the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah to begin his 2 year missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Chuck, Jared and I drove him to the airport (Becca had already left for work). It was pretty quick as we only had about 10 minutes with him at the airport while he checked his luggage, then he was through security and he was gone. The speed of it all made it pretty painless.  The hard part was the last 24 hours.  Sam and I went to the temple yesterday morning together for a little mother/son bonding, then some last minute shopping.  My friend Marie Davidson was nice enough to hem all 5 pairs of suit pants for Sam in 3 days.  I was so grateful for her willingness to help!  Sam came home and finished packing, printed out his boarding pass, shuttle reservation for the ride from Salt Lake City to the MTC in Provo and started skypeing all his friends to say goodbye. By the time he was done, there were a lot of crying girls in Montana and Idaho.  At 7:30pm our family went to the Stake Center with Sam for him to be set apart. That was pretty emotional.  President Stapley pronounced a wonderful blessing on Sam that was very comforting.

We are so excited for Sam, but sad to see him go.  The people of Indiana are so blessed to get him for the next two years.