LETTER!!

I got my first letter from Matthew yesterday! A lot of what he told me he already said in the e-mail but I'll just reiterate most of what he said again. He said that he is doing great! Again he said that it's kinda hard going from working to sitting in tons of class all day. His companion's name is Elder Johnson and he is from L.A. He said that he is really great and knows a lot of Spanish. He is helping Matthew a lot but he says he still doesn't know a thing. He's confident though that with the Lord's help, he'll be able to learn. He said that Elder Johnson is very much a rule person but that he is already learning to love that because they are getting everywhere on time and things are running more smoothly. Well that is pretty much it! Just thought I'd share with all of you. I hope that everything is going well with all of you. You are all so great and I've loved getting to know you. I've already told Jen and Gayle this, but after we left on Sunday, my parents just could not stop talking about what a great family you are and how great it was to meet all of you and I completely agree. Thanks for being so friendly and welcoming. I love you all!

Love, Sarah

First Letter

Today was a great day. Dad and I received our first letter from Elder Profaizer. He is absolutely loving his mission experience so far. He says the food is great and they even have Diet Coke. He told us that we had no reason to be sad because he is so happy. My heart is so much lighter today. He is going to make an incredible missionary. He passes on his love to everyone.

MTC DAY

I will never forget this day as long as I live. The energy on the MTC campus was palpable. There was no doubt we were in the right place at the right time. Young missionaries were everywhere calling out WELCOME ELDER and YOUR GOING TO LOVE THE MTC. The big smile on Matthew's face made the whole thing so exciting. I am one proud Mom. Thank you, son for being worthy to serve the Lord on a mission and Thank you for being such a wonderful son.

Jen's Thoughts

Going to Matthew's setting apart was truly a great experience. I have never been a part of anything like this before and it was so amazing. This whole thing has been amazing. I just can't think of another word that truly describes it. I am so thankful to have been able to be there for all of it. His blessing was wonderful and really encouraged him to study study study. To be humble, patient, obedient to the rules and to study some more. After it was over, the Stake President informed him that he was then a missionary and that he had to always have a companion which was dad. I think Dad got a little choked up about that, I know I did.

We took Jaiden with us and then asked his thoughts on the way home. He had one word....awesome. He's right, it was so cool. I know without a doubt that this whole experience has made an impact on Jaiden's young life. I hope and pray that someday he will do that for Cade who will then do that for Parker, etc. Each boy in this family needs to set an example for the next in line. I pray with all my heart Jaiden will never consider another option and that he will serve his Heavenly Father on a mission.

I have been thinking about what a mission means to me. I don't believe every young man needs to have read the Book of Mormon dozens of times. I don't believe he needs a stellar testimony. I don't believe it's about "what you know" but rather "what you hope to learn" while you are away. I believe the mission field is where all of that comes together and you are able to grow your testimony while growing up at the same time. I think a mission is simply about having faith that you are willing to try and ask when you need help. Asking the Lord when you are scared or nervous or even discouraged...that's what it's all about. In the mean time if you are doing all that you can, the Lord will step in and place people in the path who are ready to hear the Gospel. I think of a mission as a big process. Growing your own testimony which in turn will bring others to the Gospel.

I have a testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for his ultimate sacrifice he paid for each of us. I will never be perfect but I don't have to be. I just have to try. That's the message Matthew will be sharing with the people in Ecuador. Come Unto Him. It's just so simple.

The Big Day-For Real!

Oh my goodness....I never thought June 22 would ever come! I am NOT anxious to get him gone, I am anxious for this adventure to begin. I will SO miss Matthew but wow, I am so thankful for him and his willingness to serve. We live in a time where fewer and fewer missionaries are serving. Healthy 19 year boys are choosing not to serve and yet the need for missionaries is the greatest it has been in the history of the world. Not that long ago, men with families would leave for several years to do this. Talk about a HUGE sacrifice. It's only 2 years and yet so many boys just can't pull themselves together and sacrifice a little. Not every boy is worthy anymore either and it's just sad. The fire of missionary work has took hold at our house and I am so excited to see what this experience means for Jaiden. Matthew may not have the strongest testimony yet but he has the fire of faith. He will go, He will do!
Luggage packed, weighed and ready to go!One last goodbye to the Lovell-Littles.
Goodbye to the Crook Crazies (note-Jaiden was having a bad morning, hence the disgruntled look)
Family photo time. Not sure why he thought we needed to hold him. All of a sudden he was jumping in our arms! Hillarious!
At the MTC!!!!!!! He's really there!
Hip Hip Hooray! I'm finally here!
On the legendary corner. Too bad they took down the MTC signs. Bummer. 4 sisters, 1 brother and a couple of parents.
Dad and Mom...looking a little teary.
Jen and her favorite little brother.
A Dad and his only boy.Tam
Baby Sister with Baby Brother.
Oh I love this boy! I am so going to miss having him around.
A little good luck rub for baby Lovell. The only physical contact he'll have until this kid is 2!
Super sweet. Mom is going to miss him so much but we are SO thankful he is going and not staying home. Truly a bittersweet moment.

One last photo in Utah from us! Good luck Bro...we love you!
Pulling up to station #25. Unload that luggage! Funny that the guy with the broken arm took the heaviest suitcase.
Good bye!
And he's gone.

And Jen is finally weepy after this awesome day. The tears just waited until tonight. I'm not even all that sad just teary and excited to get some weekly news and see what's going on and experience this adventure vicariously through Matthew.

Unexpected Meetings

When we actually got to Provo, we pulled up to have brunch at IHOP. What a fun place to have our last meal together. We made Matthew pose outside for a picture but it wasn't long before we realized we weren't the only ones doing it....lots of other missionaries had the exact same idea.

We went inside and was immediately greeted by another missionary who was headed to the MTC for a mission to Mexico. We were led back by the hostess to the back corner of the restaurant where there were 3 other missionaries and families eating as well. One excited young Elder told us he was headed to Ecuador Guayaquil South too! Interestingly enough, his mother grew up there, right where her son was going! He was going to be among his own family. How fun would that be? His mother shared a lot of neat information about the city of Guayaquil and Matthew got SO excited. Apparently he will likely live in a house he will share with 6-8 missionaries and they will have a maid. There will be no bikes or cars, just their own two feet. She said that at one time Ecuador had more members than the state of Utah. There are many many members and they will take very good care of our brother. She said there are a lot of very poor yet very humble people there. Matthew will do so good there. I have no doubt he is going exactly where Heavenly Father wants him to be.
Elder Barton- I'm sure these two will bump into each other again real soon!

So Long FAREWELL

The farewell today was fabulous! Matthew had an amazing turnout. The church was filled to capacity and more. All of our family was there, along with Kaye and Joe, Sarah and a big chunk of her family along with a lot of other friends. Matthew paid a wonderful tribute to Dad. He had all of us laughing, especially as he closed his talk with "I'm headed to the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission and I'll see you all in two years (about to sit down) AMEN." I can't wait to hear that Homecoming talk in two years...what a different young man he will be. I am excited to hear his testimony grow and see his love for the people of Ecuador.

For Mom's birthday and Father's Day, Kim, Tam, Matthew and I opted to give Mom and Dad this life sized (or slightly larger) cardboard cutout of Matthew.
It's totally perfect that he put the greasy Allred's t-shirt on!A little creepy to see both together.
Matthew, Pseudo Matthew, Mom and Dad
Pseudo Uncle Matthew and a few of the kids. Parker, Taegen, Lexi, Makynlee and Tessa.
All the nieces and nephews love their Uncle Matthew!