Officially a Missionary

Annie said they dropped Mallory off at the MTC.  Missionary lined up to greet the in coming new missionaries.  Everyone was cheering and waving as they drove in.  Mallory said her 'goodbyes' and was escorted in the building and the Gertsons drove away.  About an hour after they got home, Annie got this message from Mallory, "It hasn't been an hour yet and this the greatest place I've ever been!"

I wish I had her first letter with me, but it is at work.  I'll write a little from it when I get it home.  Basically she is absolutely loving every single thing about the MTC including her companion.  She has already taught an investigator and is anxious to get out to Tennessee to teach the gospel.

the Gertsons put a package together for her that they sent down with Emmi.  She takes the packages to the BYU Bookstore and for $2.00 a package they will be delivered to the MTC.  Your other option is snail mail.  So I decided to jump on that delivery train and I put together a little package for her and sent it with Emmi as well.  I went to Hallmark in the Mall where I knew I could find Snoopy stuff.  Snoopy is Mallorys favorite character in the Peanuts family.  I not only found this cute stuffed soft Snoopy for her to cuddle but also found this darling perpetual calendar that I couldn't resist.  I bought a couple rolls of stamps when she needs to mail something.

I realized I had not taken a picture of the farewell program so I'm attaching it here.

Mallory also sent some pictures from the MTC and I want to post those as well.

She looks happy and beautiful.  

Mallory Goes to the MTC

I met the Gertsons at the Brick Oven for our last lunch with Mallory for a year and a half.  After lunch I made the choice to head back to Salt Lake leaving the time for Mallory and her parents and siblings.  Here are some pictures.  I have to add here that the weather was absolutely perfect and the colors of natures still beautiful.

We love you Mallory!  

Mallory Officially becomes Sister Gertson

Neal and I were invited out to Annies for a delicious dinner.  At 9:00 p.m. the Stake President, the Bishop, Neal, Dan Thurber and Jeffrey stood in the circle while the Stake President gave Mallory a beautiful blessing and set her apart as a missionary for the Church of Latter-day Saints.  I couldn't hear all that he said because he talked so low but Neal told me that she would be blessed with peace and confidence that she was doing what the Lord wanted her to do.  That she would be watched over and blessed.  He blessed her that as she reads and studies the bible and book of Mormon that she would understand how they worked together and she would be able to use them together in teaching the gospel.  And as she reads the scriptures she would have an increased understanding of the gospel.  He blessed her that every blessing she needed she would be blessed with.  This is just a very few things but it is all that we can remember.  I just hope that Mallory wrote some of the things down.

Family games

After everyone from the ward had come and gone the family decided that they were hungry so we ordered pizza and then decided to play Pictionary again.  Even Greg joined in the fun.  There were many laughs and many memories created.

 Annie had a table set up with quilt blocks that people were supposed to sign.  Annie will put the quilt blocks together and make a memory quilt for Mallory.

Mallory's Farewell and Sunday Celebration

We drove out to Stansbury for Sacrament Meeting.  Tucker and family, Maren and family, Mindy and family and Neal and I and River and Lila Mae, Susan and Mary.  Mallory did a beautiful job.  Her talk was well delivered and very organized.  She stood at the pulpit with all the confidence in the world.  Mindy sent this picture to me and said that she knew she wasn't supposed to take a picture in the chapel but couldn't resist.  Thanks Mindy.

 After the meeting we all went to Annies and had a bite to eat.  She had breakfast casseroles, cinnamon rolls (that Lila Mae made) fruit (that I brought) and tons of cookies.  It was delicious and everything was eaten.
After most everyone left we went outside and took a bunch of pictures and laughed and laughed.

 This is a picture of Annies friend from Logan when they lived up there years ago.  Amanda has three of her children on missions.  They live in Star Valley Wyoming and came down for Mallory's farewell.  It was so fun to see her.

A night of games

We decided to play Pictionary for a change.  We haven't played this game in years.  So we got some paper cut into sheets off the paper roll and the game began.  It was one of those times when we all laughed until we couldn't breathe.

This is one of the pictures that Neal drew.  Annie was the only one who figured out what he was drawing.  It is the policeman catching a robber and then frisking him.  Thus the arms up in the air!  The answer was 'frisking'.  We couldn't believe it when Annie came up with the word.

Abby and Saint and the Honor Society

Abby and Saint get accepted into the Honor Society.  Such a huge accomplishment.  So proud of you Abby!

Peyton forgets her shoes

Tomorrow we are going out to hear Mallory speak in Sacrament Meeting before she leaves for her mission.  Peyton realized that she doesn't have a pair of shoes that will match her new dress.  She wears the same size shoe as I do so we spent some time in my closet letting her try on shoes for tomorrow.  The first picture is of the three of us at the makeup store.  The second is of Peyton and I trying on shoes.

 Good Grief!!!  I look just like a Grandma!  Don't get me wrong, I love being a Grandma, just don't like looking like one.

Visited Mother's Grave

I miss her so much.  When I go there I also think of Jeffrey and Annette.  Three people who had such an amazing impact in my life and all gone.  It was interesting after our big dinner on Friday night Annie came up to me and said how strange and sad it was to hear Tucker and Maren recalling some of their childhood memories and Annie didn't have her brother to do that with.  She cried as she told me and I was sad for her.  Family gatherings are always a bit hard.  My son is missed and so is my mother.