On Sunday September 5th, Dallin was set apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, and officially began his home MTC experience on Labor Day, Monday September 6th 2021.
6 weeks of training at home!!!
What I loved most about the home MTC was having the opportunity literally to watch the blessing of change and the mantle of being a full time missionary come over my sweet boy. The spirit in our little basement apartment where he was in online classes all day long was actually thick and tangible.
Elder Trickett would get up early, exercise (sometimes;), have personal study, companion study, and 2 three hour blocks of MTC training, both language and faith/religion classes. He would participate in these every day with a group of other missionaries that were also called to the same mission in Brazil.
I would love to hear the language and laughter that would come from behind the door, and I loved watching him become a "new creature." They would even participate in evening devotionals sometimes...
I enjoyed preparing the apartment just for Dallin, complete with Home MTC welcome posters
Pictures of Christ everywhere to really invite the spirit...
Dallin really wanted some armor in his room, so that's what he got! The armor of God, and his Brazilian flag too!
We added personal little touches everywhere, like his Lego San Diego Temple complete with the missionaries in front too. :)
The home MTC was such a tender mercy for me. I got to be Dallin's companion so much of the time, and I LOVED all of the extra one on one time that we had together. We went out to lunch together quite often. ;) This time was on my birthday while Clint was out of town for work.
We went on bike rides often during Dallin's breaks so that he could get out of the house (and out from behind the computer screen!) and get some fresh air and exercise too. I loved laughing and talking and having those heart to heart conversations with Elder Trickett. :)
I also loved that each of Dallin's siblings got to take turns being his companion. :) What an awesome experience and training ground for each one of our children.
Gavin still says he loves his brother the most, and counts him as his very best friend.
On the last Monday that Dallin was home, we took the family to a Brazilian restaurant called Tucanos for family night, and to celebrate Dallin getting ready to leave!
We went to the church (October 19th) on the night before his departure where he met with the stake president and got in a few good last words of wisdom.
It was a tender moment for me trying to take it all in, and realize that the next day Dallin would be flying out!
He received a letter stating that he would temporarily serve in the Nevada Las Vegas West mission while he awaits his visa...and he was still so excited! He simply said, "Mom, someone needs me there, so I'm ready to go!"
We also decided that we needed one last night of family fun before Dallin left too, so we headed over to Kuwahara's pumpkin patch right after he was done meeting with President Bleak.
We stopped in the little gift shop and said hello to our good friend Maggi...
We wandered around looking at all of the amazing pumpkins trying to choose the perfect ones for everybody,,,
We took lots of pictures and had lots of fun. :)
When we were all done there, we jumped in the car and headed over to Dutch Bros for some yummy hot chocolate, and listened to fun Halloween music on the ride home.
I think it was the perfect mix of fun activities to make for the perfect last night before Dallin was off.
We headed home after that where we finished packing up Elder Trickett's suitcases and went to bed.
The kids were officially on fall break which I was grateful for, and so the next morning, together we all jumped in the car and headed to the airport!
What a bitter sweet combination of emotions we all had!
LOVE
EXCITEMENT
ANTICIPATION
HAPPINESS
GRATITUDE
SADNESS TOO
BUT MOSTLY LOVE :)
AND NOT WANTING TO LET GO...
EAGERNESS
STILL A COMPETATIVE EDGE
PROUD HEARTS
ACCEPTANCE AND SACRIFICE
YET STILL, MOSTLY LOVE
He was SO ready for this!
So, On Wednesday, October 20th, 2021 we saw Dallin for the last time for the next TWO YEARS!!!
We waved goodbye...
We shouted out our loving approval...
...and then we cried.
At least I did.
OH HOW WE WILL MISS THAT BOY, BUT OH HOW HE WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!
We love you Elder Trickett!
