Thursday, June 30, 2016

I received this email on the car ride back to Pleasant View after dropping Kolton off at the MTC.  It came in about 15 minutes after drop off!


Hey everyone,

I'm at the MTC and I am settling in! I'm doing fine, just a little stressed out! That was a really short goodbye, but I will be home soon. I love you all and I am excited to start this new journey in my life. I'll take lots of pictures and send them in soon!

-- 
Love,

Elder Willden

June 29, 2016 
We are driving from Pleasant View to Provo.  Kolton entered the Missionary Training Center today at 1:15pm.  We at lunch at Los Hermanos in Lindon.  Next, we drove to the Provo Temple, across the street from the MTC, and took some pictures. 

We ran into a friend from Highland going to MTC the same day.
Elder Willden and Elder Andrus!










Next, we got back in car and headed to MTC with Chase face timing Kolton to say goodbye.....that started the tears flowing.  We will miss Kolton so much!  We are so proud of him.  That curbside drop off is fast and furious and so heart breaking.











Goodbye for 2 years!   All our love goes with this young man!
Mom was taking pics and no one took a pic of her hug.
Dad has the pic of family at mtc, so will post later. 


We drove off with Missionaries lining the curb waving and smiling to us......that was a little crazy because we were crying.  But, I love the missionary spirit and feel so good about where Kole is right now.  I turned to look at his phone sitting on his empty seat.  I thought this was a good representation of part of his sacrifice and our family's sacrifice for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Electronic devices are so much a part of our lives and our connection to all we do and love.  He left that phone on the seat and walked away to serve for 2 years others that he does not know.  But, he knows his Savior, and will continue to get to know Him as he gives his time and talents to teach His gospel.  We have an empty seat, an empty bedroom and full hearts because of the love our family shares.  It is a sacrifice to let him go for 2 years and we will miss him sooooooo much.  Prayers going up daily for our precious son and the work he is doing!


We got a few pics from Elder Willden's farewell luncheon on Sunday, June 26, 2016




Chase is working in Chicago for summer and had to leave before the MTC drop off,
 so they hugged goodbye at home
and used FaceTime on way to MTC. 





June 10, 2016 Kolton was able to attend the Ogden Utah Temple to receive his endowments with a few friends and family.

Kolton opened his call on May 12, 2016 at 8:08pm.  He was so excited for this!