Reporting

What a wonderful day Wednesday. Elder Serrano spent the week packing, not only his suitcases but his room. It's amazing the amount of stuff a 19 year old can accumulate. Yesterday we got up, did some last minute packing and left for lunch about 11:00. Tucano's, being his favorite restaurant (all the meat you can eat, you know), was our destination. Some one in this family assured me we would take a long time at the restaurant, but that wasn't the case. By 12:00 we had pretty much stuffed ourselves silly.

With an hour+ left we couldn't decide what to do, so we went to my office (which had no patients at the time) and lay around on the couches until time to go.

We left for the Missionary Training Center about 12:40. He needed to report at 1:15 and we were relatively close. We got there and into the parking lot across the street about 12:50. There was a lot of traffic, imagine! We were able to get out and go across the street to take pictures. It wasn't nearly as crowded as I imagined at the the entrance where the good picture taking place is. When we were just about done another family came up to take pics. The mom called out "Hey Elder, where are you going?" Ben answered, "Pittsburgh" and guess what. That is where her elder is going too! It was so amazing. We got a pic of them and Elder Serrano made his first new friend. Elder Jensen.

We went back to the car around 1:10 and drove into the MTC. They have this all worked out quite well. You pull into the left and they have all these spots numbered along the curb. There are elders directing traffic and showing you were to park. Then there is an elder at the curb who starts unloading your luggage while you do your final hugs and goodbyes. We had a very patient elder who just stood politely while we all gave him a hug (Mom gave him two, of course). When there wasn't anything more to say or do, off they went up the sidewalk.

For all you mom's out there, I've never been inside the MTC to compare, but I think this has to be much better. It really was such a whirlwind that I didn't have time to really think about what was happening, so I wasn't crying my eyes out. It wasn't until I got home and realized that not only was I not going to see Ben for two years, but I couldn't even text him or call him to see how he was doing or what he was doing, that I really started in with the tears. Things are much better today, but even while writing this I'm starting to well up.

Thanks again for all the support both for Elder Serrano and for his family.

e-mail addresses

Thanks to all of you who would like to be on the e-mail list. I am getting your comments and addresses but am rejecting the comments so your e-mail isn't visible for all to see. Please continue to comment.

We're on our way to lunch then it's off to the MTC. Ben was set apart last night so it's Elder Serrano now. I'll let you know how that went and post some pics.

E-mail Forword List

If anyone who didn't make it to Ben's farewell would like to get onto the e-mail forward list, you can leave your name and e-mail address in the comments section below and you will be added!

Open House

Ben will be speaking in Sacrament meeting this Sunday, January 31st at 9:00 am. Friends are invited to join us to hear him speak and then return that evening between 6-10 pm for an open house. We look forward to seeing you.

13 Days to Go

Oh man! I can't believe it. Only 13 more days until Ben enters the MTC. He's pretty much prepared physically. We got everything he needs. Emotionally it's starting to hit. The reality of being gone for 2 years. The things he'll miss. Mostly, the thought of loved ones who may not be here when he returns. On the other hand he is starting to get very excited. He's still trying to decide between a morning (right after his talk) open house or and evening one. Anybody who has an opinion, please let us know.

I'm looking forward to the time when I can post Ben's words and not have to do this on my own. Thanks to all of you good friends who have helped him get to where he is today.

Farewell

Ben's farewell will be January 31st at 9:00 am. All are welcome. We will be having an open house for him that same day. Details will follow.

Holidays are over!

Woosh! We made it through the holidays/birthday. It was questionable for a while there. I have been delaying this post waiting for pics, but I'll just add pics later. It was a good Christmas. Ben received such exciting things like bedsheets and a sewing kit. Ok, maybe they're not exciting, but will be useful on his mission. His birthday was slightly better getting snowboarding goggles (he does have 4 weeks of snowboarding left).

He is doing extremely well with both the spiritual and physical preparations. Spiritually, he has been to the temple, continues to teach his primary class and set an all around good example for his siblings and I'm sure his friends. We are having a race to see who can finish the Book of Mormon first. So far I'm winning. He is bearing his testimony more often. Physically, he has started working out again and we have most everything on his list. We even got luggage after the new year.

Just some little tidbits: Ben is taking the time before he leaves to teach his brother and sister how to snowboard. It seems like he's trying to spend more time with his family, which is greatly appreciated. We're all very excited as the day of departure rapidly approaches and a little sad to have his great spirit gone for 2 years. You lucky Pennsylvanians!