Hardest Thing We Have Ever Done!

Well we just dropped Tanner off at the MTC yesterday and it was a really emotional day. We knew what was coming but it was still hard. We started out the day stopping to see Lonna in Farmington and then stopping to see Valerie, Glenn, Madison and Makayla in Bountiful. At about 11:00 we met Grandma Evans at Applebee's in American Fork.. We had a nice lunch but we didn't have very big appetites. We all could feel the heaviness of the day...Tanner had just had his last meal with us! We headed to Provo with an hour to go before Tanner needed to be dropped off. We stopped in the temple parking lot and it was amazing to see all the other people taking pictures with missionaries that they would drop off that very day too. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and a little warmer temperatures. We were able to take some pictures on the temple grounds. At 12:55 we got in the line of cars heading into the MTC. We had to wait about 10 minutes before we were told where to park to let Tanner out. We all got out of the car and hugged Tanner, cried and hugged Tanner some more. His host Missionary took our picture and Tanner was off. He gave us the "I Love You" sign and never looked back. He was ready!!!! We all got into the car and headed off with broken hearts. It really was the hardest thing we have ever done. We had to stop the car around the corner for a minute to let what just happened sink in. We were all in tears. We stopped to meet Angela at BYU and she gave us some "happy treats" boy did we need them. Parker said after we got in the car "How did Angela know all of our favorite treats?" Thanks Ang!

On our way home we stopped at Scheels and the boys got a few things. We also stopped at Colonial Flag but they didn't have any New York pins like the boys wanted. We also went to WinCo and got a few thing. While we were driving home we found out that Tanner had sent his first email.

Hello Fam! I can't believe I am emailing you from the MTC! I made it! They are having us do an MTC orientation and said to Email home. What an incredible experience so far! It has been so neat to move in and see where I will spend the next 2 weeks. I saw Lindsay Jones as I walked in and she put my name tag on! I am just about to meet my companion and then will go to classes! I'm not sure when I will have the opportunity again to email but just know that I love you all very much and miss you already! I will be working hard and thinking of you all every day! Thank you all for the help getting me ready because I couldn't have done it without your love and support! Love you!

~Elder Tanner Lindberg  

We were thrilled to hear from him!

After we got home we found out that Tanner had left us each a letter. More tears were shed while reading letters. I am always amazed at Tanner's thoughtfulness. The night was very weird without Tanner but it did seem like he was just at work and that he would be home later. We all had headaches from crying all day so we all went to bed early. I looked at my clock while I was laying in bed and thinking it was so late. The clock read 10:30...Tanner's bedtime! I couldn't help but think about how his day had gone and wished so much I could talk to him. I miss him so much it hurts.

Parker woke up and had a really hard morning. He couldn't stop crying and was afraid he was going to cry at school. I think it is a little hard for him to understand why Tanner left. He keeps saying "Tanner didn't have to go" and "Why would Tanner leave us?" It has been really hard on him. He told me this morning that Tanner was his best friend and a piece of his heart was gone. Needless to say we are all missing Tanner so much. I hope it will get easier when we get to hear from him. I think that the hardest part is not talking to him every day. I miss hearing his "HEYYYY" when he walks through the door and his help around the house. He has left a big hole in our family. I hope that hole can be filled with all the wonderful news that we get to hear about his mission.

Love you Elder Lindberg!