Silence is broken!

After 12 days, we have finally heard from Taylor!  He is in Rosamond, California which is 20 miles west of Lancaster in the Mojave Desert.  Taylor reports, that he is "so distracted by the work that he doesn't have time to miss us guys".  The words that missionary parents want to hear.  He loves the people already and has enjoyed his first week.  Not a lot of details?  That is our complaint also.  Knowing how excited he is will be enough for now.  I am now writing a letter begging for a letter with some detail.  He says that he will send all the cool details in the big group email.  If you received one, you will have to pass it on to me at tcarper@readytek.net. 

Taylor's email is taylor.carper@myldsmail.net. 

His mission office address for letters and packages is:
California Bakersfield Mission
Attn:  Elder Taylor Carper
3512 Coffee Road Suite B
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Pictures from the MTC

Taylor left the MTC this morning.  He had emailed us briefly yesterday to tell us that he could call us from the airport.  He warned us that it would be early morning.  The phone call didn't come.  I was not going to miss it.  I stayed home from work and kept the phone charged and by my side.  By 2:30 pm I thought I would check in with my work messages, and lo and behold, there was a message from Taylor.  He had called work not my cell phone.  The missionaries made it to the SLC airport with minutes to catch their planes, and he wasn't able to call earlier like planned.  Taylor is hanging out in the Phoenix airport until tonight when he flies into Bakersfield.  The message reported that the MTC has been great these last days.  Maybe soon I will get more specific details.  Here are some pictures.

Elder Carper's First Impression

Taylor's p-day isn't until Wednesday, but he was able to send a letter home on that first day.  Here are some highlights:
"..it was unlike anything I ever expected! I walked in and I instantly loved it!  I was beyond thrilled that I got to see Jeff and he was my host......I'm pretty excited for everything!  I'm also really nervous because I have no idea of what I am supposed to be doing!  Praying a lot is going to ultimately make this easier!"
Yes, he put exclamation marks on all of those sentences.  Can't wait for an e-mail on Wednesday.

First 24 Hours as a Missionary

His face says it all.

Jeff is at Taylor's left shoulder.  Once Jeff sees Taylor, his original escort lets Jeff take over.

 

Last night was amazing.  Family came and we met with President Stevenson and Bishop Marcum for Taylor to be set apart as a missionary.  It was an amazing experience.  Taylor's countenance had changed.  He really looked like a missionary. Afterwards at home, we gathered around the table and discussed the amazing blessings that were mentioned.    This morning was long and slow for Taylor, not his parents.  Taylor was just anxious to get to the MTC.  We left plenty early to take pictures.  When we arrived at the area for pictures we were informed that the MTC wasn't rigid on the time and we could drop him off when we were ready.  We took a few pictures and Taylor was more than ready.  We dropped him off 5 minutes early and there was Elder Jeff Ball.  What a bonus!  Elder Ball escorted Taylor off to the MTC.  I didn't cry a single tear today until I got home and found that Taylor had left a letter on everyone's pillow.  I cried when I read the sweetest, sincere and thoughtful note. What a calm, sweet peace our family feels knowing that Taylor is in the right place doing the right thing because that is what he wants to do.