MTC or BUST

Saying farewell to technology! No iPhone, iPad or laptop computer for 2 years!

Giving one last hug to his beloved little sister before he left California

At 1:00 pm today Jon and I dropped off Elder Coleman at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC). Shakespeare captured my emotion centuries ago: "Parting is such sweet sorrow." My heart was full of joy to see his excitement to finally be there and sorrow to know I won't be with him for two years. After we gave him one last hug and watched him walk away with his suitcases, my heart nearly burst. Lyrics from a Mindy Gledhill song popped into my mind: "Don't let this distance tell you this is good-bye....It's not good-bye."

 The three of us ended up with a 12 passenger rental van for the drive from Salt Lake City to Provo. Haha Awesome memory of bouncing along in that cruiser!

 Clay's last meal before entering the MTC...CHICK FIL-A at the Cougareat, of course! His favorite!

 The long line of missionaries waiting to welcome the newly arriving sisters and elders...

These hugs will have to last us for two years!

 And off he goes. Godspeed, Elder Coleman! We love you to the moon and back!

Flying back to California, we flew past Provo. It was surreal to know that somewhere down there amidst all of those lights was my little boy. He couldn't be happier and neither could I. 

Officially a Full-time Missionary

THE SETTING APART:

Participating in the setting apart: Bishop Chapman, Clay's dad, Elder Coleman, Wyatt Corbin,
President Brennan, and Travis Corbin

Before a missionary departs on his mission, he/she is given a priesthood blessing called a "setting apart" which bestows authority to preach the gospel as a full-time missionary.

I had no idea what a special night this would turn out to be. First, our stake president asked the close friends and family members who were invited there to share some advice and their feelings about Clay. As a mother it was simply a dream come true to hear the remarkable things shared about Clay. Such tender and heartfelt emotions were expressed about the wonderful person Clay is. Jon told him, "Well, Clay, now you know what it would be like to attend your own funeral." Then President Brennan gave the setting apart blessing. It was one of the most powerful blessings I've ever had the privilege of hearing. Clay was blessed with an ability to learn the languages of his mission, with safety and wisdom, great love for both the people he serves and his companions, and many other remarkable promises. Afterward, Clay looked at me and said if he could walk to the MTC right then and there, he would. He was just so ready to go. The spirit was palpable. It was a night I will cherish forever.

Clay's Farewell Party

THE OPEN HOUSE:

"The Atonement of Jesus Christ"

THE FAREWELL TALK:

Before Clay left on his mission, he gave a farewell talk to our local congregation on August 18, 2013. Here is the audio of his remarks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (It's 12 minutes long.)

Ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood

THE ORDINATION:

Back row from L to R: President Sterling Brennan, Bob Warnick, Bishop Bill Chapman, Clay, Jon Coleman (Clay's dad), Brenden Dahl. Front row: Elder Hemmelgarn and Elder Chandler.

Today Clay was ordained to the office of an Elder in the Melchizedek priesthood. Clay's dad Jon gave him the most beautiful blessing in conjunction with the ordination. Jon was so overcome with emotion near the end of the blessing that he had to fight back sobs. I was so grateful to be there for this sacred and memorable moment in Clay's journey!

Called to Serve

THE MISSION CALL:



After several days of checking the mailbox in hopes his call had arrived,




today Clay opened the mailbox and found the large envelope had had been waiting for!



We put up two maps in our home, one a US map and one a world map. Friends and family members had each made a domestic and an international guess of where the future Elder Coleman would serve, which we posted on the maps. It turned out one guesser got it right! (Chrissy Hansen)




Clay set up a Google "Hang Out" video conference for family and friends who wanted to participate in the opening of his call but couldn't be at our home.




Many friends came to join us for the big moment. Clay's oldest sister McKelle is standing by on FaceTime on Jessica's phone.



Moments before he opened his call! The anticipation was killing us!



"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Singapore Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on September 11, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Malay language." (Excerpt of letter from President Thomas S. Monson)




Thrilled to be going back to Singapore where our family lived from 2000-2003.



Two of Clay's favorite missionaries, Elder Hemmelgarn and Elder Merritt. Clay went on many teaching appointments with these two fine young men in preparation for his own missionary service.