Change of Scenery

Elder Rushforth left the MTC yesterday (February 24th). He flew with 17 other missionaries to the Kennewick Washington Mission home. Last night we received a call from the Mission President's wife, Sister Belnap, to tell us that Tyler had arrived safe and sound and will be serving in Vancouver, WA for right now.

We don't have his address in Vancouver yet, but Sister Belnap said we should send letters and packages to the mission home address and they would make sure he got them as they have a Zone Conference next week they'll be attending.

As soon as Elder Rushforth emails/writes and tells us what his address is and further information in that area,(probably not until next Tuesday when he emails) we'll post it here. For now, though, write to the Mission Home Address:

Elder Tyler James Rushforth
Washington Kennewick Mission
8656 W Gage Blvd. ste 205
Kennewick, WA 99336

From his letters in the MTC, I'm sure he's going to be a fantastic and hard-working missionary!

First Email from the MTC

Our little Elder has been busy the last week, but not so busy that he didn't have to time to write home. (I know, it's required...but still) On Saturday, the family got it's first letter from Elder Rushforth! That was pretty exciting...and mostly full of house keeping stuff, you know, "My companion is...We had (blank) for dinner..." Stuff like that. Yesterday we got an email, it's pretty short, but I thought I'd share it with you all. As a missionary, he's only allowed to email to families, so, when appropriate, I'll copy and paste the email's contents here on the blog. (As a Side Note, I'm not going through and correcting his grammar and spelling, you get to read it raw like I did.) Happy Reading...

I love the MTC it is a blast and the spirit is amazing!! I love the food aswell. I thought that have school and work was a full schedule but the MTC definitely is harder but much much more fun. Every second we are studying thegospel no wonder the spirit is so amazing! This past sunday my companionactually got sick so from 2:30-8:30 I was in my room studying as my companionslept. I was greatful for this time though because it gave me the opportunityto reflect on what I have been doing for the passed few days. I was able thestudy the difference between the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost which, isactually something that many people get confused I definetly did until I studythem. Do you know the difference of the Light of Christ and the Holy Ghost? MyDistrict is amazing Elder Ord my companion is very out going and loves talkingto everyone! Elder Hord and Elder McConkie are the brightest elders I know,Elder Bair is so funny and kind to everyone, Elder Warner is very wise in thegospel and so loving, and Elder Burgin has such a great testimony and truly knows how to teach with the spirit. I am so greatful for this experience andfor the knowledge I am learning from all the Elders. Hope you all are doingwell!! Have Fun and know that Heavenly Father loves you all!! Think about howhas Heavenly Father shown his love for you this weeek?
Love,
Elder Rushforth

The MTC

Wednesday, February 4, 2009 began like most other mornings. Get up, shower, brush teeth, get dressed. All very usual things for Tyler to be doing.

Of course, February 4th wasn't just any other day. It was the day Tyler would enter the MTC to prepare to serve the people of the Washington Kennewick Mission. Basically, he spent the morning walking around with a grin from ear to ear and either whistling or singing various hymns. To the casual observer, someone who didn't know Tyler well, this would seem to indicate an unnatural level of happiness and excitement. And, while he was, of course, excited, he tended to do all these things anyway. (Take it from a sister who has lived with him for many years, the early morning chipper-ness is more than a little annoying to those of us who are NOT morning people.)

The ride down to the MTC with his family wasn't rowdy, nor was it awkward and quiet. Everyone was just enjoying being with Tyler for a few last moments before he began his two year mission.

At the MTC, they had Tyler put his luggage in a designated area and then, after a few pictures, he and his family entered the building through separate doors.

Once inside, Tyler received his Missionary Name Tag and was told his mother should put it on him. An obviously emotional moment, but both Elder Rushforth and his mother held it together.

Of course, there was more to endure. The family had to endure a heart-wrenching movie(which would have been much easier to endure if the entire chapel weren't filled with sobs and sniffles). And the Missionary had to endure just that much more time before he would officially start his Mission. After this, there were teary good-byes(on everyone's part, including Elder Rushforth), and then the family exited out one door and the Missionary out a different door.

As Elder Rushforth's sister, I can tell you that the tears that were shed were tears of joy. Joy that the Young Man they were leaving in Provo would be spending the next two years serving the Lord and spreading His Gospel to the people of the Washington Kennewick Mission. Joy at the sight of the righteous Son of God that we had watched and helped grow into the confident and kind person that stood before us. We were sad that he would be so far from us for the next two years, but we couldn't be more proud of the choice that he made.

Elder Rushforth will be in the MTC until Feburary 24th, then he will go to the Washington Kennewick Mission. I'll post both his MTC address and his Mission Home address on the blog. Additionally, as we find out new addresses with each of his Transfers, those will be posted so that any who would like to write him, may do so at their leisure.