From the Call to the MTC

After the interviews, doctor appointments, the shots, dental appointments, and the dreaded wisdom teeth pulled, the mission papers were sent into the church missionary department. Then the wait began. Day 1, day 2, day 3.... finally after waiting 2 weeks, on Oct 15th, the big white envelope arrived in the mail. The guesses from friends and family were all flagged on the world map hanging in the kitchen. Where in the world was Ronnie going to spend the next two years?

Later in the evening when grandparents, parents, brother, sisters, Aunt and Uncle were gathered around, it was opened.

"Dear Elder Hurst:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission."

http://www.lifetimeproductions.net/Ronnie Mission Call.wmv

Everyone was excited about the call. Ronnie was thrilled! The cell phones came out of the pockets and calls were made to family and friends. Status comments on facebook announced the good news. Ronnie personally went to homes to share the news with neighbors. For many days that followed, people were asking about it and we were all very happy to let everyone know that Ronnie was heading to New Hampshire. The most common remark made from people was, "oh thats beautiful country!"

The shopping for suits, white shirts, ties, and all those wonderful things a missionary would need began a few days after the call came. We went to Mr. Mac and the Missionary Mall where we bought most of his things. A few days before he left, we packed it all into two large suitcases, a carry on bag, and a backpack. All his belongings for the next 2 years!



On Jan. 20, 2009, Ronnie and his girlfriend, Shaley Stevens, spent the day hanging out at our house. Later that evening he had to tell her good-bye, which he said was the hardest thing he had ever done. Since about the time he got his call, he and Shaley became friends and their relationship developed into something special. She was very supportive of him going on a mission for which we as parents are so very grateful.


President Kelly Johnson, our Stake President, came over around 9:00 pm on Jan. 20 and set Ronnie apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the sweetest experience. Ronnie was now officially a missionary.

Then came Jan. 21, 2009. The day we were excited for and dreaded the most. We all got ready for the day and made one last stop for breakfast at Grannie Annie's, Ronnie's favorite place in Kaysville to eat a good breakfast. We all had a "Kaysville Special". Then we headed South to Provo where Ronnie would enter the MTC.




We arrived at the MTC and Ronnie took his luggage to the designated area. We then took a few minutes to take pictures outside of the MTC. Here are some of the pictures we took.

Ronnie went through the door labled "New Missionaries Enter Here" and the rest of us entered another door. Ronnie went to the desk where he was handed his name badge and red dot which indicated he was a new missionary. He was told that his mom should put the badge on him. What a neat thing for a mom to do!!

We took our last pictures together as a family in the lobby of the MTC. Picture taking was not allowed after we left the lobby. We were dragging our feet to leave the lobby because we knew it would be just a short time after when the good-byes would have to take place.

We walked down the long hallway and found the room for where the orientation meeting was held. We sat down and that is when we knew the time was short. The meeting was good, but it was hard to pay attention too much. We knew what was coming. Ronnie had told us he didn't want to linger too long in there, just say our good byes and move on. The meeting came to an end. It was time for the missionaries to walk out the door on one side of the room and family walk out the opposite side. Ronnie gave us each two hugs, and with tears streaming down our cheeks, we said good bye for two years. It was the hardest and sweetest good bye. We watched him walk to the doorway, he turned around for one last wave, and he was gone. It was the hardest thing to do, yet the sweetest experience. We knew he was in the Lord's hands now and as much as we are going to miss him, we know he is doing what he should be at this time in his life.

We headed out to the car, Braden looking like a lonely young man without his brother to race to the car and fight for the good seat, two little sisters with tear stained faces, and a mom and dad feeling relieved, peaceful, happy, and a bit sad. Now we wait for that first letter, the first of many to come in the next two years.