The MTC

So yes the dates on the photos are wrong, should read 03/04/2009, this is Jordan entering one door and us another. He got into line to get his papers turned in, identification checked and his name tag. Just a few months after Jordan entered the MTC they changed the whole process and the parents drop the kids curb side, we felt fortunate that we were able to experience the MTC the "old" way!
This was the night before he went to the MTC, he was set apart and oddly we all stood in the entry way and said good byes and cried for a good hour, lots of hugs, tears and silent but very full moments!

This is in the MTC, I don't think Ross has every been more proud of Jordan other then the day he was born!

Dropping off luggage and finding out where we should go next...

Dropping off luggage to his assigned spot, unbelievable how organized the church is...

looking at things in the foyer of the MTC, I think they were very old editions of the Book of Mormon "maybe if I don't open my eyes it will all be a dream..."

This is a great picture, one that will never be taken again because of the new way that they drop missionaries off...

Jordan and his companion, Jesus Christ

This is one the way to the MTC, Jordan was trying to be so strong, all he wanted for lunch that day was Arby's, we went, and after in the car he kept commenting that he had butterflies in his stomach and how nervous he was...still smiling!

Dear friend, Bonnie Jacobs made this cake for his farewell, we hated to eat it, it was perfect...

This picture still brings tears to my eyes, to my amazement they let me put his name tag on, I cried the whole time! I was truly sending my son away to serve the Lord and this just brought it all home, really hit me at that moment, it is not a dream, and I am so very proud of my sons!

Walking across the street, wind blowing us forward, sideways,

the boys took Jordan's luggage, last acts of kindness :)

Elder Jordan Ross Weaver!

This Sister was putting all of his "important" papers in his pocket so he would not loose them

Of course the date on the photo is off, Jordan went to the MTC on March 4, 2009. No one can tell you how difficult or exciting this experience is. The whole morning, even for that matter the last week has been very emotional. We arrived at the MTC at about 12:30 p.m. and parked across the street. The other boys all took a piece of luggage and we took a few pictures on our way. It is a very busy place, and well organized. We delivered his luggage to a drop off spot, and he would pick them up there after we left, he was in spot #15. Then we took 235 steps, (the sister there told us, we did not count) from the light pole on the corner to the front of the building. There was a door marked new missionaries and a separate door for family and friends. We all went to our appropriate doors and Jordan was taken to a desk where they

checked his immunization record and his drivers license and then given his missionary tag with an orange dot, affectionately called a "celestial dot" and we were waiting for him in the same big area. He brought his tag to me and asked if I would put it on him-Wow-what a flood of emotions! It was now official, he is our son, Elder Weaver representing Jesus Christ. We took some more pictures and looked at a version of the first Book of Mormon. There is also a stone plaque there in the lobby, large area, whatever, that says "Where ever thou art, do well they part" something to that effect. We then got word that it was time to enter the chapel. We had been told to take all the pictures before that, and that once we entered the chapel we were to stay there. In the hallways of the MTC, we passed the cafeteria. The elders that were eating, had pizza, piles of pizza. There are incredible pictures of missionaries doing the work all of the world. There are lots of Brothers and Sisters telling us where to turn and guiding us along. We got to the chapel and a sister sent us down a row with no one on it yet, in front of us there was a family, and their oldest was an elder. Jordan put his hand on that elders back and immediatley asked where he was going, this elder said he was going to Mexico, Jordan asked if it was Veracruz, the elder said no and named some where else in Mexico, I just did not catch it. This was exciting to watch, it made me realize, although he is nervous he is anxious. We watched all of the LDS commercials, some tearfully, some with huge smiles, more tears, and some laughs. After we were all seated and the missionaries were in, we sang Called to Serve, probably the fastest I have ever sung it. They had a prayer and Brother and Sister Clegg gave some instructions to us and the missionaries. We watched another missionary video had a closing prayer and then it was TIME! We all hugged and cried and said our good-byes, or see ya laters. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do. So proud, so excited to hear from him soon.

They gave us his MTC address it is:

Elder Jordan Ross Weaver
MTC Mailbox #151
MEX-VERA 0504
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

and he will be there until May 4, 2009 then off to Veracruz.