The First Email

November 7, 2008 - We received our first Email from Colyn. It is finally set up! Yea! He says that thanks to Sra. Denney's Spanish class in middle school, he is really doing well with Spanish. He is remembering a ton! He received all his Spanish materials and he says it is alot! He doesn't know yet when he will be going to Peru. On Tuesday night, Sister Beck, the General Relief Society President, spoke at their devotional. He told Chase that he would have been proud of him. Colyn had to step out of his comfort zone, and make phone calls to "total strangers" at the Recall Center at the MTC. (He has always had his little brother along side him to do these sorts of "scary" things for him - like talk to people.) He thought Chase would definitely appreciate his telemarketing skills. (Chase used to work at a telemarketing company). Chase and I (Mom) got a big kick out of hearing this. He also told us that he needs us to send him like a catrillion things.

Oh how happy I get when I hear from my son! He is missed so much!

Another Letter!

Monday, November 3, 2008 - He opened his letter with a greeting in Spanish.

He loves the MTC! And Spanish is coming back very quickly. He is remembering more than he thought he would. He can bare his testimony, meet somone, and talk about the restoration all in Spanish! He loves his district and each elder and all of his teachers. He is eating well and is never hungry. They are hanging Christmas lights at the MTC and he hopes they turn them on tonight. He asked us to keep him informed about the Cougars! He ended his letter by bearing his Testimony in Spanish!

The First Letter!

WE GOT A LETTER! WE GOT A LETTER!

WE GOT A LETTER!

Saturday, November 1, 2008 - We got our first letter from Colyn! I tell you, my heart lept. It lept from my chest! These past few days have been rough. I so needed to receive this letter! He told us that he was great and that his nerves had calmed after that first day. His companion, Elder Atkinson, is a Ute fan and has a Ute key chain on his bag. Colyn has his BYU pillowcase on his pillow. Like Crystal (Colyn's Aunt) said, "It would be good practice to try and convert his companion from a red fan to a BLUE fan!" Elder Atkinson will also be serving in Lima Peru. They both arrived at the MTC the same day. Colyn also wrote about how neat it is that he can see the "Y" on the mountain from his room! He wrote a sweet note to both Chase and Dallis and sent all of us love and asked us to pray for him to have strength.

Colyn is at the MTC!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 - Colyn had a busy morning, getting last minute things together. We all drove him to the MTC. We could not believe how beautiful the trees all were in Provo. Golden leaves, red leaves, peach colored leaves - We even watched acorns fall from the huge oak trees that are out in front of the MTC. It was a beautiful day! We were also amazed at how busy the MTC was. It was exciting to be among all that busy-ness! Missionaries were coming and going and eating and jogging and helping and escorting and preparing and laughing and directing and teaching and preaching! It was such a comfort to me (Mom) to see all of this taking place. Colyn had been nervous. This concerned me. I wanted him to feel good and be calm about today. But of course, with every new experience, there is much anticipation and anxiety. I held his hand during the closing prayer and put my other hand on his jittering leg to try and comfort him. We were both crying and not wanting to let go of each other. Colyn hugged each one of us - tightly - and he whispered to me, after saying I love you - "I'll be back." We parted our ways and he never looked back. He went his way and Chase and Dallis forced me to go mine. We got outside and again thanked Heavenly Father for the perfect day that it was! We drove away, leaving our prize possession in the Lord's hands!