Reporting To The MTC

July 3, 2013.  Elder Clawson reported to the Provo MTC West campus.  What a great place to be!!  It was the most horrible day of my life, but then on the other hand it was the best day of my life.  It's a proud moment for a mom to see a kind, gentle, hard working son report to the MTC.  MTC stands for Missionary Training Center.  Elder Clawson will spend the next 10 weeks learning the Albanian language, learning how to teach the gospel in Albanian, and to be taught at the feet of apostles and prophets.  What a great experience.  Most young men and women who have been called to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spend anywhere from 2-10 weeks in the MTC depending on the language they will be learning.

Jed has so many friends who are serving right now, but not one is with him in the Provo MTC.  Some are going to the MTC in Provo, Barcelona, New Zealand!  It's crazy how these young kids are going to the four corners of the earth!!  IT'S AWESOME!!!

Tues. night July 2, 2013 Jed said his last goodbye's to his friends, and little girlfriend and then we headed over to the Stake Center for Jed to receive a blessing, and to be set apart as a missionary.  What an awesome experience!!!  Our Stake President, President Acevedo met us there, and had one last worthiness interview with Jed, and then James (Jed's dad) was actually able to set him apart as a missionary.  A stake president has the keys and authority to set these missionaries apart as Elders, and special witnesses of Christ to share His gospel through the world.  It was so great to witness that blessing.  It was a good moment as a parent.

The next morning the Clawson clan loaded into the truck and made our way to Provo.  On our way down we made a few stops to say some final farewells.  James' mom had not been able to attend Jed's farewell.  She has not been doing very well and was in the hospital.  We stopped at the hospital to tell Grandma Clawson goodbye and to hear her little words of encouragement.  She was slurry, and not able to talk well, but you could feel what was in her heart.  She was a proud grandma, and loved Elder Clawson!  From there we headed to Grandma Roberts home to give her one last hug!  Grandma Roberts is actually Jed's great grandma, but has always been a huge part of our lives.  We were able to sit and visit with her for a few minutes and also set her iPad up so she could be connected to Jed's progress through the blog:)

From Granny's house we headed out.  We had a fun time in the car laughing, and talking and just enjoying our last minutes with Jed, before we let him go.  As we approached the MTC the car was pretty quite.  As the Provo MTC West campus approached there were a few other cars pulling in as well.  It was nowhere near the rush and push of the other MTC.  We didn't feel rushed, and had plenty of time to say our goodbyes before Jed headed out.  The Host's were awesome!!!  Sweet as could be, and totally encouraging.  The young elders were enthusiastic and told Jed how lucky he was to be there.  Two cute sisters met me as I got out of the car.  I looked at them as they asked me a question and just smiled and tried to gain a little composure.  One of the sisters burst into tears with me, and I could tell this whole dropping off at the MTC thing hit a little close to home for her:)

We were able to hug, and take pictures, but the whole experience was short and sweet.  Jed was so great!  He got a little teary, but he was strong, and so excited to start.  It was so fun to hear that many of the other missionaries who were there were going to the Adriatic South Mission as well.  Jed wouldn't be alone:)

The ride home was lonely, and there's a child missing from my nest!  But we will be blessed by being able to be a part of Elder Clawson's mission.  The best 2 years everyone says!!