It's October 12, 2009.5 years ago today...
I finished my training at the MTC and took the 50 minute flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix where I would live for two years. I remember waking up extremely early that morning and feeling like I had already served my two years (even though it had only been 3 weeks in the MTC) and that it was time to fly home! Oh no no no no...little did I know.
I remember getting dropped off at the airport and thinking that I was soo cool for having been done with the MTC. I remember wearing my super cool sunglasses and feeling like an elite member of a club, and as a group, looking like the mafia had arrived. I remember calling my mom and dad from a payphone and talking to them about my experiences so far. I called my siblings and some of my friends here in Rexburg. It was scary.
I remember the flight and flying over the grand canyon and thinking THIS IS IT!! THIS IS WHERE I'LL BE FOR TWOOOOOO YEARS.!! P.S. it was scary.
I remember landing and being picked up by the Assistants to the President. We saw Air Force One at the airport cause president bush was visiting Arizona. We stopped at the mission office (me like a deer in headlights) and getting my first piece of mail!...(from long-time friend Summer Knight...she had sent a letter there before I arrived so I would have one when I got there.) We went to the mission presidents house and I remember thinking he was going to be SOO loving and caring and take care of these precious little new missionaries. FALSE: I said "Hi, I'm Elder Shipley" and President Booth responded extremely intimidatingly "Take your jacket off and go eat."....."SIR, YES SIR!!!!" yikes!
We ate and then did introductions of ourselves and bore our testimonies and then went to bed there at their house. That day was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I had no clue what I had in store from there on. But I do remember thinking "these two years are never going to end" and probably at that time wishing a little bit that they were already over. But now that I've been home for 3 years...what was I thinking? But...I'm sure everyone thinks that a little bit. After all, it was the beginning of the rest of my life!
I finished my training at the MTC and took the 50 minute flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix where I would live for two years. I remember waking up extremely early that morning and feeling like I had already served my two years (even though it had only been 3 weeks in the MTC) and that it was time to fly home! Oh no no no no...little did I know.
I remember getting dropped off at the airport and thinking that I was soo cool for having been done with the MTC. I remember wearing my super cool sunglasses and feeling like an elite member of a club, and as a group, looking like the mafia had arrived. I remember calling my mom and dad from a payphone and talking to them about my experiences so far. I called my siblings and some of my friends here in Rexburg. It was scary.
I remember the flight and flying over the grand canyon and thinking THIS IS IT!! THIS IS WHERE I'LL BE FOR TWOOOOOO YEARS.!! P.S. it was scary.
I remember landing and being picked up by the Assistants to the President. We saw Air Force One at the airport cause president bush was visiting Arizona. We stopped at the mission office (me like a deer in headlights) and getting my first piece of mail!...(from long-time friend Summer Knight...she had sent a letter there before I arrived so I would have one when I got there.) We went to the mission presidents house and I remember thinking he was going to be SOO loving and caring and take care of these precious little new missionaries. FALSE: I said "Hi, I'm Elder Shipley" and President Booth responded extremely intimidatingly "Take your jacket off and go eat."....."SIR, YES SIR!!!!" yikes!
We ate and then did introductions of ourselves and bore our testimonies and then went to bed there at their house. That day was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I had no clue what I had in store from there on. But I do remember thinking "these two years are never going to end" and probably at that time wishing a little bit that they were already over. But now that I've been home for 3 years...what was I thinking? But...I'm sure everyone thinks that a little bit. After all, it was the beginning of the rest of my life!
2 comments:
Great memories Son. Seems like only yesterday. Love Dad
I didnt know mine was the FIRST letter you got! I feel so special (well, I bet you did too!). AND, you got to see the Stuarts.. so fun Craig!
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