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.