Verily, Verily, I say unto , Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am , there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.John 12:24-26
We have had a busy few days with "last time" family things and getting Nate ready to go!Saturday morning we went to the temple for the last time before he left and then all went to breakfast after. We spent the rest of the day getting the back yard and things all ready for the "farewell" Sunday. 
Nate did such a good job on his talk! He taught us how the scriptures can keep us from temptation. It was amazing some of the insights he shared with us and then he bore a humble yet powerful testimony of the scriptures and his Savior. He impressed his siblings -and that is saying alot! After the meeting we came back to the house with all the family and friends that came to support Nate. There were a lot of people! (We did a count later on and decided that at least 100 people came to say "farewell"!)
Tuesday night the Stake President came over to set Nate apart as a missionary so we had to have a "last dinner" with everyone beforehand! Phil and Becca offered to cook dinner and brought some prime rib, (and some halibut and salmon he actually caught when he went to Alaska with his Dad) and we had a royal feast! Later as we were waiting to have the Stake President get there, Tamra started to play the piano and the grandchildren started to sing some songs for us (to get us quieted down!) They sounded like angels and brought such a sweet spirit to an already special evening. 
Nate started to tell us about his favorite scripture that he wanted put on his "missionary placque" from John 12:24-26 where Christ compares a life to a kernel of corn and how if we lose our lives in His service, He will honor those who follow him. As Nate was describing why this was one of his favorite scriptures, I was impressed with his depth of understanding and testimony of the Savior. After President Frischknecht set Nate apart, it was time for him to say goodbye to his nieces and nephews because they would not be going to the MTC the next day! Oh, that was heart wrenching to see them hug him, crying, and say goodbye, and then hug him and say goodbye again! They will miss their Uncle Nay-Nay (as they used to call him when they were little). He has been a BIG part of their life so far! 
Wednesday we all headed down to Provo and made a "last" stop for lunch at Chili's (we do a lot of eating in our family, don't we?) before getting to the MTC. It was an awesome experience to see all the missionaries and their families and know they were experiencing the same mixed emotions we were. We sang the hymn "Called to Serve" and heard the MTC president and his wife speak and then it was time to say goodbye. Mom and sisters were sobbing, Dad and brothers were close to it. What an emotionally exhausting experience!
It is impossible to describe the bitter sweet experience of taking your son to the Missionary Training Center; to be so excited for him yet to have that pain in your heart! I will always cherish the memory of my big handsome son turning to wave for the last time as he went through that door with that excited smile on his face, seeing his boyhood disappear before my eyes and seeing it replaced by a man - a man of God - excited to serve the Lord for 2 years! 
We are so very proud of him!
