Lots of good-byes!

Now that our MTC training was complete, it was time to get serious about packing and getting ready to get on the plane. Saturday was a flurry of packing activity. We were allowed two big suitcases each, plus a carry on and a personal item each. We were able to get everything we planned to take in only three big suitcases plus the carry ons: our clothes, lots of white shirts, ties, and slacks for Ray, and blouses and skirts for Jeanene, of course, the books we thought we would need, a year's supply of medication and vitamins, deodorant for a year, toothpaste, the right color eye make up, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder for Mexican food, sage for stuffing on Thanksgiving, and the one necessity--a two-pound brick of black label extra sharp Tillamook cheese. The maximum weight for each suitcase was 50 pounds--we weighed in at 50, 49, and 49. Pretty good packing!

On Sunday morning, we went up to visit Matthew, Meghan, and Emma to say goodbye. Matthew asked his dad to give him and Emma a blessing. That was sweet. The goodbye was very difficult!

We went back to Riverton and went to Sacrament Meeting and said good-bye to our dear friends at church. We had dinner with our family. Then we asked Andrew and Michael to give us blessings. It was sweet to have our sons use their priesthood in our behalf. Ray offered a family prayer in which we committed our family to God's care until we were together again. Many tears were shed.

Then it was time to say good-by to Andrew's family--they had to drive back to Idaho Falls. It was hard seeing them get in the car and pull away. I wanted to hold on tight!

At about 5:45 pm, we loaded all of our stuff in the back of my Tahoe and gave kisses all around. We got in the car--Michael and Rebecca taking us--and drove away. There is no picture to add here because I could not look back. I knew we were doing the right thing, but it was ripping my heart out. We love you: Matthew, Meghan, Emma, Andrew, Marissa, Evan, Lydia, Michael, Rebecca, Rebekah, Clint, and Brooklyn!! and the rest of our family and friends so much!