Going, Going, Gone...But Not Without a Tender Mercy

If this is your first time to the new MTC drop off rodeo (it was ours!), here is your up-close-and-personal view...

(Below) Headed down the street from the Provo Temple in our packed Suburban. A little earlier, when the line was longer, we could see Elder Tyler Farr's van ahead of us stopped at this light (TJ's drop off time was 15 minutes before Helam's). Elder Farr is serving in North Carolina Raleigh mission -- all these Southern Boys!

Here's where it REALLY starts to get crowded, but all those nice traffic conductors keep everybody moving

So there are 25 stops this morning. We heard from our dear friends Kevin & Sheri Scheffler that their son Tyler would be a sidewalk greeter since it was his last week before he left for Costa Rica. I didn't really think we would spot him because there are SO MANY elders out there, but that didn't dissuade me from reverently reminding all our kids to "try and keep an eye out for Elder Scheffler." As soon as we turned in front of stop #1, we saw him -- and our formerly civilized ride turned into rolled-down windows, frantic waves, and shouts of "Tyler! Tyler!" As soon as he saw us, he started booking it down the sidewalk toward stop #2.

 

(Below) As you can see, it was a long walk/run for Elder Scheffler (no, this is not a picture of him). This is the friendly, waving Elder assigned to our stop (let's just call him Elder Waver for entertainment purposes) -- which also happened to be the LAST stop at the MTC. Poor Elder Scheffler...I get tired just thinking about his trek to our Suburban. If you know how efficient EVERYTHING is that the Church does, you can understand my anxiety that Helam would be whisked out of our grasp, we wouldn't get to see Tyler, and possibly not even get to stop the car! Meanwhile, I'm telling Lakei to "slow down, slow down" as I keep an eye on Tyler's advancing steps in my sideview mirror (thank goodness he's a soccer player and in great shape). I did NOT want Elder Waver to get to us before Elder Scheffler did. So I said to all the kids, "Move SLOWLY. Don't hurry. Take your time getting out of the car."

(Below) Now, THIS is Elder Tyler Scheffler. I know, he doesn't even look out of breath, right? And he just stepped right in and said to Elder Waver (I really do wish I knew his real name), "Is it okay if I take this one?" YAY!

(Below) Before Elder Scheffler could shake hands or grab suitcases, Helam said, "I need to give you a hug from your Mom." Mission accomplished right there. Only 1 more mission to go.

And that's how Elder Scheffler became Elder Heimuli's first "companion" -- even if it was just to take him up the sidewalk and into the MTC. That's Mom on the right, trying hard to smile. Really, it was so quick, he was gone almost before we knew it. See you in 2 years, Elder Heimuli. We love you.