David officially began his mission today by reporting to the MTC. I sat up with him last night, went through my ridiculously long email list, and identified those I thought might enjoy following David's mission progress. (If you are on this list, and wish to be deleted, just let me know as I do not want to be a cyber pain in anyone's keyboard.) I will forward weekly reports and all that good stuff. If any of you have anything you would like me to pass along to David, just send it in a reply email or something and I will see that he gets it in our next letter.

We had a nice visit to the Salt Lake Temple yesterday with David. Colin and Jen attended with us, and Jordan did baptisms. I love going through the Salt Lake Temple and just marvel that the pioneers could construct such a beautiful structure for the Lord. So much sacrifice went into that house of God. We had a huge lunch at the Lion House, and then returned to Provo, where we had a dinner at the Brick Oven (an event that has become a family tradition) with friends and family, including Jeremy and Kedra, Steven and Paige, and three of David's BYU friends (plus, of course, all of us). I think we sat around talking for well over two hours. It was fun. David stayed up late downloading original piano songs recorded by his friend Jack Winn. As he listened to each song, David would say: "Oh, I love this song." (Jack, who flew to Vegas to see David for his last pre-mission weekend, is quite talented. I wish we could have had him play the piano for us on Sunday.) David and I sat up late talking, and then he went to bed. (I was prepared to stay up all night!) I watched David sleep a bit, looked around at his computer, precious cell phone, I-pod, things that have such a connection to him - and felt somewhat pained at the thought of his impending departure and anticipated long absence. However, I am so happy that David is ready, willing and able to serve the Lord as one of His Special Witnesses.

We had a nice family meeting before leaving the house for the MTC this morning. We read from the Book of Mormon, sang songs, had a testimony meeting, I gave David a blessing, and we had family prayer. It was very nice. We did a lot of crying through it all, but it was sweet. Shortly thereafter, as we packed the car with David’s mission things and headed off to the MTC. We arrived at the MTC at about 12:45 p.m., got David squared away, took a few pictures, and then went into the main room where we went through the same program as the day we delivered Brad nearly five years ago. There were some powerful words spoken during the meeting (albeit close to the same ones from five years ago, even the same jokes), and then we had to say "bye bye." David got right up, hugged us all quickly one more time, then kind of laughed because he had a goal of being the first missionary out of the room, but got trapped in around us by other families saying goodbye to their missionaries. He stepped into the row behind us, shook our hands goodbye as he left (he had to walk past us again), and we watched him leave through the door without looking back. (When I blessed him this morning, I told him to put his hands on the plow and not look back. He obviously took that literally.) I cried as we left the MTC, but the pain was only temporary. We went to the BYU Bookstore and I bought Peru T-shirts (to go with our Philippines shirts), got some cards, then sat right down and wrote David letters and mailed them right there so he'd have mail tomorrow.

We were told that missionaries can email from the MTC now, so that will be nice. But, he can only email family (which I assume to be immediate). His address is as follows:

Elder David Gentry Royal

MTC Mailbox #236

PER-PIU 0806

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, UT 84604-1793

We are looking forward to the weekly letters, reports, etc. Our family circulates daily devotionals. Today was David's day. For his last pre-mission family devotional (his mission letters will have to serve as his devotional day, I guess), David wrote the following:

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Alright everyone, this is my last devotional I guess, as I am going into the MTC in...3 hours and 19 minutes. Lots of different emotions this morning, and I remember having a bunch of weird, intense dreams last night that kept my adrenaline pumping I guess, because even though I slept really well, I am pretty tired. I can remember one dream of racing a semi truck down a steep hill...weird eh? So all night was like that, but that's the only one I remember.

So, scared, excited, and everything in between, but no matter what emotion I feel today, I know without a doubt that this church is true, and there is no better thing that I could be doing right now. I'll miss our awesome family dearly, yes mom, more than music, but I know that you will be with me spiritually, just like Mufasa. ha. So I'm ready to go. Well actually not completely because I have to get dressed and pack and what not, but I do believe that I am prepared to do this. I want to thank Mom and Dad for being awesome parents, and teaching us the gospel so well, Brad for being an awesome big brother, showing the rest of us how to...go on a mission, Whitney for being a cool sister in law and keeping Brad in line, and Jordan and Kelli for being awesome siblings as well. I love you all.

See you in two.
David

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There are few things in life sweeter than following the progress of one of the Lord's missionaries. Thank you all for your love and support.

Mike