April 3rd 2023 We have arrived!

We have said goodbye to our family and friends and started out 18 month mission to the Costa Rica San Jose West Mission. It was pretty hard seeing all the grandkids hugging their GiGi goodbye one last time, and there were plenty of tears. One of the initial experiences that Kristen Anne was able to have was the entrance onto the plane at 5:50am Monday morning the 3rd.  She got to experience the sadness of leaving, being replaced with the excitement of entering into a new and unknown world.  Having sent 6 of our children off on missions, we can remember the empty feeling that is left after they are gone. This time was different it was our turn!

 As we touched down in Salt Lake City, we were greeted by a raging snow storm. We were warned to bring a warm coat if our report date was before March 31st, but we are in April RIGHT???  no such luck... we were not prepared for the cold. It snowed for 3 days straight.

As we entered the MTC we were run through the usual orientation process and then got to take the famous photo with the map.  It was so fun for me to see Kristen Anne feeling the experience. She was just taking it all in, and would make comments like, so this is what it looks like... For everything from the cafeteria to the crying room, to the dorm rooms etc.

So for now we are settled into our room. it is small but efficient. We were lucky enough to get a corner room, which is a few square feet bigger than the regular room.

We are excited to be able to serve as missionaries and to spread the good word of the restored gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ.