Counting down

So if anyone has been keeping track with me, you know I report to the MTC in exactly seven days. Yes, this time next week I will be running around, gathering all the final little things before heading to the airport to go to Mexico. 

On Sunday I will give my farewell to the ward. Then, on Tuesday I will get set apart by my stake president as a missionary in the California Redlands Mission. The next day I will head to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to start my 18 month journey as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thinking about all of that makes me feel a lot like this...

I can't believe it's so close! These past couple weeks have pretty much flown by, which I'm thankful for because the waiting has been excruciating!

I really hope that you all will keep in contact with me while I'm gone, because I know I'll miss you all! And I'll have lots of stories to share!

One week, gotta get to work!

Aeromexico

Yesterday I got the most exciting email ever! It was from the Missionary Travel Department in Salt Lake City. My flight itinerary is all set! 

I am booked and confirmed to leave from Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport at 2:15pm on Wednesday October 30th and I will be arriving at the Mexico City Juarez Intl Airport at 9:05pm. After I pass through immigration, get my luggage, go through customs, and find the person from the MTC that is supposed to pick up the missionaries, it is about a 30min drive to the MTC. 

Upon arrival at the MTC, from what I understand, I will receive my name tag, Spanish study materials, a companion, and a pillow and sheets for my bed.

Talk about a long day!

I wonder how I'll feel that night. Laying in my new bed, in the Mexico City MTC, having seen my family just hours before, and knowing I won't see them for 18 more months. Thinking of the name tag on the nightstand beside me and what it means when I will put it on in the morning. Hoping I will get along with my first companion for these next six weeks. Wondering if I'll ever be able to learn Spanish. Hoping I'll be a good missionary for those I will teach.

Those are just a few things that might be on my mind that first night...

I just hope I will be able to sleep because at 6:30am the next day I will be on the run! No time for jet lag, no time for relaxing, no time to think about myself. And I can't wait!

"Forget yourself and go to work."

-President Gordon B. Hinckley

My mission is getting more and more real every day.

Nineteen days! It's actually in the teens!

Too Excited About Two suitcases

I know I've mentioned that I'm excited for my mission. But today it got a little more real that I am actually LEAVING.
Why? My luggage is finally here!
A huge thanks to my aunt for this much needed early birthday/going away present.
I never thought I'd be so excited about luggage.
Does this mean I'm an adult? No, it's probably just a missionary thing.
Either way, I am borderline giddy at the fact I have these two brand new beauties to carry all of my belongings during my 18 month adventure.

Now I know I don't leave for another 21 days but I couldn't help but start to pack. Just little things, of course. Like my winter coats... and some shoes... and jammies... and, uh, maybe a few pairs of socks, a couple scarves, and tights... and hangers. I just had to! I can't wait to fill these bags with all the other prizes my family has helped me collect for the mish. I'm so stinking excited to be a missionary that I can barely stand it!
These two (not so) little bags are going to accompany me to Mexico, then to Redlands, then wherever the Lord and my mission president see fit. They will be the only constant "home" for all my possessions for the next 18 months.
Boy, if these bags could talk!
Just a few more things left to do and I'm ready to go!