THE DAY--July 28, 2010

We got up early and after breakfast we headed back to Shanna and Austin's so Darin could do some computer training before entering the MTC.

While we were at Austin's, we got a phone call from my mom and she was in Provo on her way to Salt Lake for a doctor's appointment. Darin and I headed back quickly to our hotel so we could meet up with my mom and Jim.

After Mom and Jim left, we shopped for a few things Darin still needed and then we did the final packing. Austin and Shanna had told me how quick good-byes are at the MTC and suggested that we say our good-byes before we got there. So Darin and I said good-bye in the hotel room and it was pretty much downhill from there....
Provo (well, actually Orem) has an In-N-Out now and Darin wanted to go there for his "last" lunch. It was packed and Darin hardly ate anything as the time was getting close to when he needed to check in. As we started the drive towards the MTC, it was awfully quiet in the car. I could tell he was nervous and I was just trying to keep from a total breakdown in the car. As we turned the corner to the MTC, we saw missionaries playing soccer. Darin perked up immediately and decided that at least the soccer would be great!!
Leaving a son or daughter at the MTC has changed--and it's a quick good-bye!! We drove in and they directed us to a parking spot right at the curb. As we parked, three missionaries converged on our car. One was getting the luggage out of the trunk and the other two were busy greeting Darin and asking him where he was going. Before I knew it, he was heading off with the other missionaries. I said, "Wait!! Don't I get a hug?" Darin quickly turned around and came back and hugged me and then he was off without a backwards glance.
I am so sad that I didn't get any pictures at In-N-Out or at the MTC....
The drive to Salt Lake was hard. (I had to pull off twice because I was having a hard time driving....) I dropped off the rental car and my mom and Jim picked me up and took me to their ranch for a week.