Surprise Pic of Erin and her companion

I received a short but GREAT text from Kenzie Ogletree this morning.  She ran into Erin at the MTC and snapped this picture of her and her companion.  Kenzie says she is doing awesome and loves her companion.  What a fantastic way to start the day! :)

Another letter this week -- and it's my favorite

Erin wrote a separate email to Garret and it includes a pretty sweet experience.  

Hey Dad:)

Hey sorry I'm running out of email time so this ones gonna be quick.
But I love it here at the MTC so so so sooo much. The first day was
hard for me cause I still hadn't felt like I got that spiritual
confirmation that I was supposed to be here or go on a mission. (something she'd been seeking for MONTHS)  So that night I like BEGGED Heavenly Father to give me that conformation or to let me off the hook. Then later the next day in the middle of class, I don't even remember what we were talking about but I got it! And I was so happy because I've been looking for it for months and
have not recognized any kind of answer. But this one was so clear that
I am in the right place. So since then all my worries have been gone
and I have enjoyed every minute of my time here

Love and miss ya

Erin

Yay! Her first letter!!

Hello my family! 
 
Today is a great day:):):) 
 
The MTC has been so amazing. Like super. I love it so much!! 
I don't know if you've got my first letter (she sent a short hand-written note the day after she arrived) but my Pday is normally on 
Thursday but this week we have a thanksgiving program and won't have time. so i get a quick one this morning. I love my district and my 
roommates so much. They are so great. They are like all from Utah. 
So... That's great. The spirit is so strong here and we are so busy. 
Seriously- minute to minute schedule. And then they give us like a 
thousand things to do in our "free time"? Like What is free time? What 
the even heck. But other than that me and my companion and two elders in my district are all going to federal way and my roommates are all going to temple square. I found out that we were supposed to come in the week of thanksgiving but they had us come in a week early and leave when we normally would. So that's why we're here for 3 weeks. But I'm kind of glad cause we can go more intodepth on all the righteousness.  plus also WE GET IPADS:)  What what! But I don't know how to get my pictures from my camera onto this thing so l'll figure it out later today hopefully and send that over to ya. 
And I love getting your letters everyday and I LOVE those pictures of 
addey. She's so cute. I'm glad she had a good birthday!! Tell her I 
sang happy birthday to her in my prayers:) 
 
Love you so much 
 
 A A Ron (the name is a joke we have)
 

Sweet Goodbyes...Exciting Beginnings

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Since Erin's check in time wasn't until 1:45 we had some time to take things slow that morning.  Erin woke up at 6:30 -- standard missionary time -- since she had been set apart the night before.  We packed her last things in her big suitcases, wrote a few notes, had prayer together and loaded the car.  We picked up Aubri and Addey from school, then Garret from work, and headed to Provo.  We needed a few more items that we hadn't been able to find, but knew we could get in Provo.  After a few stops, she was ready and it was time.  

As we neared the Missionary Training Center, Erin (and all of us) wanted to have a chance for some final hugs and goodbyes and to not be rushed at the MTC drop off so we found a place to park the car and each one of us got a wonderful LONG hug from Erin.  It was a tender time for all of us.

Then, it was drop off time.  As we pulled up to the curb, we were greeted by a cute, smiling sister missionary who helped Erin with her bags. Another round of quick, last minute hugs -- all of us trying to keep our emotions under control and she was off with a smile and a wave.  *sigh*

Finally it got the best of Garret and I and we drove away with lumps in our throats and tears streaming down our faces.  We couldn't be more proud of her or love her more.  Today she joins over 88,000 missionary world-wide who are dedicating their lives to the God they love and his children.  

Get Ready...Get Set...

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Erin receives her mission call to the Washington Federal Way Mission!!  She is scheduled to report at the Provo Missionary Training Center on November 19th -- just over 5 weeks away!  The call was such a surprise, because just six months ago, Jared returned from the same mission.  

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Our family moved from our heart-land, McKinney, Texas to Morgan, Utah.  Erin and Aubri left the day after we arrived to go to Rexburg, Idaho to visit Jared and Emily there for a few days.

last night as a family in Mckinney

Erin and Jared in Rexburg

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Erin got her wisdom teeth removed and reacted hilariously to the anesthesia.  (I'll post the videos separately).  After a few days of recovery, we had a couple of shopping days left before she was to report -- we worked hard and fast and got it done!

Trying on some mission clothes

Saturday, November 15, 2014

The Banner family (those in Utah) gathered for an early Thanksgiving dinner.  At the last minute, Jared and Emily were able to come down and join us.  It was so fun!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Erin is set apart as a full-time missionary by President Skinner of the Morgan, Utah Stake.  It was such a sweet experience.  Just outside of the Stake President's office, there is a wall of all of the missionaries serving from the Morgan Stake.  There is over 100!   Erin has the privilege of sharing the wall with her Grandma Banner -- serving a mission in Birmingham England.