Dallin leaves the MTC

At 8:00 pm today, Dallin left the MTC. It has been nearly 6 weeks since we dropped him off there and he's now heading to the Dominican Republic! I honestly can't believe it's been that long. There are days that seem like it has been longer, but overall, it has gone pretty quick. We enjoyed being able to talk to him every Saturday (with reliable internet...who knows how that will be now?!). The first week was a little rough. He was definitely feeling out of his element. He felt overwhelmed by his seeming inability to learn a new language and the responsibilities he would have as a missionary. He missed playing competitive sports. He missed comfort foods and objects. He missed his friends, family, and freedom, but over the weeks he was there, he transformed. He demonstrated confidence in the face of doubt and courage in the face of the unknown. He smiled more. He laughed. He found friends in his roommates and district. His companion was Elder Ferrin from Layton, Utah. He discovered that eating an all-you-can-eat buffet after fasting was a near-deadly mistake. He met a missionary from Papa New Guinea that changed his perspective of the MTC. This elder provided insight into the blessings that the MTC provides that Dallin was taking for granted. He built forts in his dorm. He ate goodies that everyone sent him. He utilized all the random toys that Dad and I mailed to him to help him memorize vocabulary (he is definitely a kinesthetic learner). He made the best of it...and now, he's off to experience new adventures.

Dallin (Dominican Republic) and Hunter (Toronto, Canada)...high school buddies.

They used Tide Pods to help their room smell better.

As a side note, before he left the MTC, he enlisted Jeff's and Danny's help to get me some roses and a note that simply said, "I love you." He is one of the elite. He is off to do great things!