Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Trent emailed us and told us he received his Visa. He told us he was flying out on Thursday, June 10, 2010 and head to Tampico, Mexico. We got to talk to him on Thursday three different times. He called at 9:30 AM and talk to Tom and me. Jeaniece was at school at a dance practice so he said he would call back at 11:00 AM. His flight didn't leave Salt Lake until 12:30 PM. He called the third time after he arrived in Dallas for his hour layover. He was able to talk to Tyler because it was 4:00 PM our time. Later that night we got a phone call from his Mission President's wife. She called at 10:10 PM. We were so shocked! She called to tell us that Trent made it safely and that he is doing well. Tom got to talk to her for some time. She sounds like a wonderful person. Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law live in our Stake. I was so excited to hear that. Sis Call, the sister-in-law to the Mission President, and I have been in Young Women's together when I was Stake Young Women's President. What a small world. The Mission President sent us pictures the next day of Trent at the Airport and with his companion. They also sent a picture of them with Trent. I received a picture from each of my boys Mission President when they arrived on their mission.

We received Trent's camera card yesterday. He mailed it on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. This was the night before he left to go to Tampico, Mexico. He told us they had a celebration with Root Beer and a bottle of Martinelli. I don't know a lot of these Missionaries but he did get some pictures with two of his friends, Elder Rish, and Elder Greenwood, that came into the MTC while he was there. I will only post a few of the pictures he sent.

Trent said his good-byes to Josh, Tori, and Peyton in the bottom part of the Temple parking lot. Tom, Tyler, Jeaniece and I drove Trent into the MTC parking lot. They have it very organized. They directed us to drive down the hill and as I looked we saw a "Sea" of smiling Missionaries! It was great! They were all happy and excited to great the new missionaries. I really liked doing this much better. We pulled over to a curb when they directed us to do so. We got out and unloaded Trent's suitcases from the truck. Two missionaries came up to us and started talking. The next thing I know they were having us say "good-bye." They guided Trent up the hill and took his suitcases. It went very smoothly. I didn't cry because I felt sad, I cried because it was so wonderful. I felt like I was dropping him off to go to EFY. I did have a hard time when I got home. I decided to not go downstairs to his room yet. I couldn't walk into any of my son's rooms when they left for almost a month.

We couldn't go onto the MTC grounds for pictures so we went to the Provo Temple grounds. It was a snowy day. We went inside the temple to sit for awhile. Time went fast but also very slow at the same time. I wanted to get it over with but also I didn't want to say good-bye. I kept thinking about how we were going to drop Trent off at the curb. I didn't know how I felt about that but I was glad we didn't have to go in for the Devotional. It may sound strange because I really enjoy devotionals but not the singing of songs that have meaning and then they take the missionaries away. To hard for all!

We went to pick up Josh, Tori, and Peyton to go and have breakfast as a family one more time before we dropped Trent off. I wasn't sure how I felt about all this. When we dropped Josh off we went into the MTC for a devotional. This was the hardest thing I think I ever had to do. We took Tyler to the airport because he flew out to the Preston, England MTC. Tyler's airport drop-off was a lot easier then dropping Josh off. We didn't have to sing "God Be With You Til We Meet Again." I am glad we didn't have to do that again! It rips our a mother heart! We had a nice breakfast in Bountiful and then drove to the Provo MTC.

This is the hardest day for me! I hated having to watch each of my boys walk out of the house with their suitcases. I still cry when I look at these pictures.

I am still trying to learn how to do this so the pictures come first before the text. I will now try and put the pictures on when Trent was set apart as a missionary. He was set about on February 23, 2010. The Stake Presidency came and did it at our home. It was fun having the family together again.

The next set of pictures will be Trent's Mission Farewell. He spoke on February 21, 2010. It was a great day! He did a wonderful job speaking and then we had friend and family over to the house for Taco Salads.

Jeaniece and I decided to start a blog for Trent while he is serving a mission. We decide to start with him opening his call. He was really excited to leave on a mission. Trent was called to serve in the Tampico, Mexico Mission.

Trent's MTC Address:
Elder Trent Stuart Furlong
MTC Mailbox #268
MEX-TAMP 0426
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-1793


Mission Address (Pouch Mail):
Directions: Only single sheet letters and
postcards can be sent through the Pouch.
(No envelopes for letters)
Letter instruction: Single sheet letter,
folded into three-panels, and taped at the
top. No letters in envelopes

Mission Address:
Elder Trent Stuart Furlong
Mexico Tampico Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City UT 84130-0150
USA

Mission Home Address:
(For Packages only)

Elder Trent Stuart Furlong
Mexico Tampico Mission
Apartado Postal 241
89460 Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas
Mexico

If sending the package through a private
courier then you will need the mission
office telephone # 52-833-216-6550