Called To Serve

As you know from earlier posts, Robert has been very involved in helping Thaddeus, a young man from our church, prepare for his mission. Robert prepped all his papers, did all the shopping, and helped run him to his doctor's appointments. 

"All prospective missionaries [for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] turn in applications to Church headquarters and they receive a call to a specific mission around the world. They spend a few weeks in a training center where some of them learn a new language and all of them rigorously study and practice teaching the gospel. Then they set off to their assigned locations and begin their service." For more information on missionary work, details can be found here. 

Well, the day came for all the prep work to end and we packed Thaddeus up 

and sent him on his way. 

 Robert escorted him to Utah to make sure he arrived alright and that he got a good tour of Utah before he checked in at the Missionary Training Center. Thaddeus had never been on a plane before or out of the South, so this was quite the experience for him.

 Utah!

 First hike. He was a little afraid of the heights. 

They stayed with our friends Devin and Kaydee (& baby Carson), who showed Thaddeus a real good time and were such great hosts!

Second hike: 

 They tried hiking the Y, but didn't make it to the top. I think it was a little much for our little Florida friend. :) 

On Sunday, Robert took Thaddeus on a tour of Temple Square. He loved it! 

Church Conference Center

Other trip highlights:

- Eating an all-you-can-eat french toast breakfast at Kneaders with an old college roommate (Dave)

- Visiting a Utah ward for the first time

- Going to the Nickelcade and playing old-school video games

- Eating dinner and playing games with the Kelly family, including all 5 kids

- Touring the BYU campus

And then it was time to say goodbye, we wish Elder Alls all the best in the MTC and in L.A., CA. 

We have received emails from him that say he is having a good time and enjoying his experience so far.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" ( Mark 16:15 ).