1st day of the mission: Drop-off at the MTC

On Wednesday, October 29, we took Madi to the airport at 5 a.m. for her flight to Provo, Utah. She ate lunch with Lourdes Taylor who lives in Lehi (she is our good friend who moved away from Niceville last year and who also has 2 missionaries out). Then Lourdes drove Madi to Provo, where they met up with 2 friends in the temple parking lot.

 Torri and Isabella (who also took Eliza to the MTC)

I love all the smiles. Madi is so excited and ready to serve.

God be with you 'til we meet again, Madi!

 Thanks for the photos, Lourdes and Torri!

two castles, one weekend

Got to go through the beautiful Orlando temple for my first time. It was great, love it there.
Also got to catch up with some old friends.
And while we're in the area....Disneyworld for one last family vacation hurrah before I leave to the other side of the world for a year and a half.
What a dream weekend!! <3

can you say BEAUTIFUL? (Inside as well!) This temple will always have a special place in my heart 

before, with my Ukraine RM brother, & dad 

Mother Dearest <3 <3 

After! With the parents 

momma & poppa bear

family! (minus my identical twin sister who is serving a mission in Belgium/Netherlands)

got to see this cutie! (& her fam :)) 

Reunited in Orlando! Tinsley and I met in Guam, when we lived there when we were five. 

& fam again! last couple days with these peeps 

Epcot! Typical awesome family vacation here we comee :) 

Little day trip to Mexico w mom! 

gotta fill the canteen! (haha statues only) 

beachfront mish pics

Couldn't have asked for better weather this evening... or any other evening, these past six weeks I've been in Florida. Gettin' spoiled here. Snowy Provo lehgoo! ;)

Also, obviously not out on the mission quite yet, which is why the pictures so far are basically only of...me. So don't get bored with my blog yet..! Check again in a week or so, I'll try and keep it interesting :)