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The first letter from AJ arrived today. His actual address is:

Elder Alan L Hatch
MTC Mail Box #209
WA-EVR 1120
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-1793

His estimated departure date (whatever that means [I can't believe they haven't already purchased his ticket]) is 20 November. Here is what the eloquent lad had to say (after translation into standard English and removal of "custom" spellings):

11-1-06
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am under oath to write this letter to you, so it might not be my greatest masterpiece.
The first day was like drinking out of a fire hose. I am so tired. The food is not bad, but I can do better of course!
I love my companion, he is cool. Elder Barrow is a good companion.
I got a shot today so I will send you the recipt. Could you put the money back in my account, please?
We are in a room with 4 beds, but there are only 2 of us, so that is cool.
Well, this is the most writing I have done in 4 months so I am going to quit.
So later,
Elder Hatch
Post Script: Please send 11 3¢ stamps. Please!!!


We (myself, Nathen, Braxton, and Symantha) took AJ to Provo. We stayed overnight at Grandpas house prior to entrusting AJ to the tender mercies of the Missionary Training Center. I didn't end up with many images from the trip, but here is the prelude and the actual event. The "traffic police" at the MTC hurried us to the point that (other than yelling out the window, "Have a good life, Kid!") I didn't say goodbye. Then again (given the macinations and hassle required to arrive at that point), perhaps it was better that way.

The missionary name tag in these "pre-admission" photos was a gift from Nathen (formerly known as Elder Hatch).


For as cold as it was in Provo, there was very little snow on Mt. Timpanogas (visible in the background). The morning was dark, damp, drab, and frigid, with sunrise not occuring until circa 10 am. Most of the motorists I encountered there drove as if they are being closely persued by the fiends of Hell. I am so very glad I don't have to live in that environment.


Apparently they have a "farewell" meeting where they sing (among other hymns), "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again." They have a couple of short talks, then the Missionaries leave through one door and the family leave through another, not to be reunited for two years. It sounds like it would have been kind of a neat experience, but since we didn't know about it in advance and had ten hours of driving ahead of us, we didn't elect to attend.
We stopped, kicked AJ out the door, threw his luggage on the ground, and were on our way again. Twenty hours in two days is a long time to sit in a car. Still, I suspect I would do it over again.


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