First Email From the MTC, or the CCM

Hey family!

I got here safe in mexico. We had a bus ride to the MTC, or the CCM. It was good to drive through mexico and make me excited to go to the US  again. its a big crazy city. The CCM is going to be great. i hear the first day is the longest day of your life. they say all I have to do is make it to sunday and it will fly. I am glad to start the learning and put all i have into it.Love you all

Elder Mortensen

Your Missionary's mailing address is:

Elder Mortensen

[Aririve 29/07/15 Departure 08/09/05] [Branch 5 - District B]

Carretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828

Colonia Zona Escolar, Gustavo A. Madero

07230 Mexico, Distrito Federal

Mexico

The estimated departure date for your missionary is 08/09/2015. The use of the above address on all correspondence will greatly facilitate delivery to your missionary at the MTC. Please don't send packages.

Saying Goodbye

Wednesday, July 29th finally arrived.  Today was the day we took Josh to the SLC Airport to begin his mission.  He is flying to Mexico to enter the Mexico City MTC.  We had to be to the airport at 8:00 a.m.  We spent the morning finishing packing and hanging out as a family. 

Around 7:15 a.m. we packed Josh's luggage into the suburban, took more pictures and headed to the airport.  

After getting Josh checked in, we all hugged Josh and said our last goodbyes.  There were many tears shed, but they were tears of joy. We watched him make his way through the security line. While Josh was in line, you could tell he was visibly shaken.  While we were standing there as a family watching him, we were able to experience a tender mercy from Heavenly Father of watching kind strangers take the time to talk to Josh multiple times while in line.  We saw a change in Josh from sad and lonely...to happy and confident.  I will be forever grateful for the man and the lady who helped Josh get to that point.  We continued to watch Josh go through the process of security and then step away to put on his shoes and belt.  We loved it when he looked our way with a big smile on his face and waved one last time.   We had dropped off our other two kids at the Provo MTC so this was definitely a different experience.   Saying goodbye at the airport was pretty though.  It is really hard to see your child walk away...even though he is walking away to serve the Lord.

Josh is in the very back under the letter D in the sign.

Good luck Elder Mortensen.  You will be a great missionary.  See you in 2 years.

Josh Is Set Apart

It's Official!

Elder Josh Mortensen

Josh got set apart on Tuesday, July 28 2015 at 8:00 p.m.  We met with President Lyman at the Stake Center.  Grandma Sue and Grandpa Jim joined our family for this occasion as well as Grandma Pam and Grandpa Larry via Skype from Joseph.  We were so happy that both sets of grandparents could join us.  When Josh was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was promised many great blessings.  It was a wonderful experience.  Afterwards, we gathered back at our house for desert.  We also sat down and wrote down the blessings and promises we could remember that were given to Josh.  I know that the list we came up with will be something Josh can read back over many times and feel of our Heavenly Father's love for him.

FHE at the Timpanogos Temple

On July 27th, we held Family Home Evening at the Timpanogos Temple.  It was a special night where the spirit was felt.  We talked about missions and gave Josh our last minute bits of wisdom and advice.  It was a wonderful night.

Josh's Mission Farewell

Today was Josh's mission farewell.  It was a great day!  It was so neat to see so many family members and friends come and support Josh.  Josh talked about receiving and strengthening your testimony by using the Prophet Joseph Smiths example found in the scriptures.  The spirit was super strong. Josh's friend Alex Pittard played Josh's favorite hymn on the piano, "Praise to the Man."  It was beautiful.  Afterwards, we had lunch at our house for family and friends.  I think there were almost as many friends as there were family.  It was fun to see all the love and support for Josh.  

Afterwards we served a light lunch at our house.  Several family and friends stopped by to wish Josh well. 

Here are a few pictures...

 

Saying good bye to Brayden