Brent's Last 36 Hours Before Entering the MTC

We were able to have Brent "set apart" to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Monday evening (June 15, 2009) by our Stake President, Lane Sego. Besides myself, Greg, and Brooke, Brent also had friends: Kathlein Marcell, Gabby Ellison, Ashley Pattin, and Candace Burton attend. Before he was set apart, the last song he listened to was "Hey Jude" by The Beatles. He will give up popular music, TV, movies, girls, texting, etc. for two years. The girls also gave him his last hugs from females who are not family (Gabby got the very last hug). Rachael Marcell could not attend as she was on her flight back to Texas. Sister Kristen Marcell (who was at work but who joined us later) told us that Rachael was emotional on the plane. I guess the flight attendant noticed her crying about Brent leaving. The flight attendant AND the pilot both tried to comfort Rachael before the flight :-)

Here we are at the 7 Bar Stake Center:

Me, Brent, Greg, and Brooke.

Kathlein, Gabby, Brent, and Ashley.

We met up the next morning with Brent's friends for one last breakfast in Albuquerque. We ate at Weck's Restaurant:

Kurtis Caldwell, Daniel Gooris, Curtis Beach, and Brent enjoy breakfast with lots of green chile.

Brooke gives her meal a thumbs up!

We then headed for the airport for our flight to Salt Lake City, Utah:

Brent wrote letters to some of his friends while waiting for our plane.

We went to The Roof Restaurant where we met up with Brian, Elise, Uncle Steve and Aunt Carol Scott, and Uncle Rick and Aunt Bobbi Plewe:

Our Family :-)

Front row: Aunt Carol, Brent, and Aunt Bobbi; Back row: Uncle Rick, Greg, and Uncle Steve.

Greg showed everyone some pictures on his laptop of the day he entered the Provo Missionary Training Center (these aunts and uncles were in the pictures as they all went with Greg as he reported to the MTC). 

 Brent with the Salt Lake Temple in the background.

Greg, Brooke, Brent, Me, Elise, and Brian in front of the Salt Lake Temple.

Comments

Ingelheim Five said…
All the best to Elder Brent! That drop off at the MTC has changed a bit I understand. Looks like you guys have had a great couple of weeks together.

How are you doing Cheryl? This is tough on Moms...xo
NYCmom said…
Wow! I wish I could've been there. Looks like fun. I'm sure it was sad to say goodbye. Btw...Brian...AWESOME jacket!!! :) Brooke...did you get a haircut? Can't wait to see you guys in a couple weeks! xoxo
Rayanne Melick said…
I got to see Brent after you did! I work at the MTC on Wednesday's and I looked for the New Mexico plates. You pulled a fast one and rented a car! By the way, he looks great and I knew that he wouldn't know me from Adam, but I still said hi! Now you have to join one of the missionary mom groups online!
Cheryl J. said…
Oh yeah Rayanne! I forgot you worked there. That's so fun that you saw him! Brooke wanted to see him with the orange dot on his nametag (she said they call it the "dork dot" LOL). I did send him a letter on dearelder.com that should have come today I'm guessing. Cookies tomorrow hopefully...then I will pace myself the rest of the time :-) Let me know how he's doing (from a mom's point of view LOL).