Skyler's first big day

Skyler says that President Seal is real cool and
that we would like him.

President and Sister Seal greet all of the new
"Greenie" missionaries to the
Okahloma Tulsa Mission. Looks like Skyler
is out shining or is it out sizing the bunch.
Way to go Skyler!

Good-Bye!

"I hope they call me on a mission!" Oh yeah! They did!!!! On March 5, 2008, Bob, Steph, Chris, Meg, and I took Skyler to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, where he began his mission. We had to make a stop in Salt Lake first to take Steph to the University of Utah Medical Center for some blood test. Skyler and I got off at Temple Square to gather materials for Bob and I to take to Jamica for some of the Branch Leaders there. While we were ther we visited with a woman who knew Skyler's misssion president, President Seal. That was cool. After that it was off to the MTC.

After we arrived, Skyler took his luggage to an assigned spot before entering the building. The girls and I went with him while Bob and Chris parked the car. Bob and Chris heard somebody holler at them and turned to see non other than Skyler's buddy and our sort of other son, Elder Shilo Hawks. Skyler, the girls and I missed him but we figured that Skyler would be seeing him soon.

Note the sign above the door! Watching Skyler go through that door was a bitter sweet moment.

Once Skyler entered , he was given a packet which included his name tag. Bob had the honor of pinnin it on for the first time.

Saying goodby to Skyler was about what you would expect it to be. However, Skyler helped make it a little easier for us by following the example of his older brothers. I know that some missionaries have a hard time saying goodby to their families, but our boys all had smiles on their faces and walked with confidence out the door. Skyler followed that example. We have a family tradition that started with Chris, which is, that before they walk out of sight they turn at the door and wave so that I can get one last picture of them. This time as I was taking Skyler's picture I hit the wrong button and turned off the camera instead. After the picture was finally taken, I turned to leave, and, standing behind me was a line of missionaries waiting to go out the door. As I started to pass them, one of them announced to everyone there "Scrapbooker!" He was so right and we all laughed.