Starting a Mission - Home MTC

Preparing for Landon's mission has been a whole new experience.  After this many missionaries I figured we had this down pat.  Coronavirus shut downs started the week after Landon received his mission call and it was a struggle getting his fingerprints taken and FBI background checks completed so we could apply for his VISA to Brazil.  After months of gathering, we learned that the Brazil consulate is shut down and wouldn't process his application anyway.  So we just wait.

Meanwhile, missionaries around the world were sent home and Landon waited for more information on where he would be going or what he needed to be doing.  We waited some more.

As July 8th approached, we heard that Landon would be receiving his MTC training at home.  With very little guidance as to what that would look like, we tried to prepare. 

We cleaned,

We set up an "MTC room"

And we waited for more information.

Landon was set apart Tuesday, July 7th by President Keller and President Wybrow (stake presidency counselors).

Late on the night of July 7th Landon found the link for how and when he needed to connect with the Brazil MTC to start training on July 8th.  And this morning he started at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. Brazil time - their schedule is all in Brazil time.)

So here we go!  Without all the typical fanfare of farewells, good-bye parties and send-offs, Landon begins his mission.  (I wonder if this is the way it was always meant to be. . .?)

All of the other missionaries in Landon's MTC district already have their reassignments stateside.  We hope to hear where Landon will be going soon.  In the meantime, Landon is busy learning Portuguese and meeting with his new district and teachers.