Antelope Island

 With Golda safely on her way, the rest of us continued our summer. Antelope Island is not too far from our house, and it's otherworldly in its landscape. We dropped off Freestone at Grandma's to hang out with Jake and somehow gained Izzy for our crew. I love to have every seat in the car filled. It seems like a waste if there's an empty seat. On the other hand, a group of nine can be chaotic!

 We toured the working ranch and saw buffalo as well as pioneer cabins.

 This early in the season, June 30, it wasn't too buggy. The brine flies were small and sluggish, and the beach was actually pretty nice. We all floated in the water, which is a weird experience. You really are buoyant!

 It's a loooong schlepp to the water from the car. We had to cool off at the pool later with the Kings, armed with change to buy a treat.

Pioneer Trek

Araceli made the decision to go on "Trek" a couple of months ago, even though she would be gone when Golda departed for the mission.  Trek happens once every four years, for 13- to 17-year olds, so you only get one chance to go.  All the clothing we had saved from Golda's trek was too small for Celi, so she dutifully gave it away to another trekker and we got to work finding new pioneer clothing.  We ended up borrowing a beautiful outfit from Tiffany, and cobbling together the rest from thrift stores and online brokers of trek items.  Big business!  Thank heavens they only take 2 outfits, plus bonnets, aprons, shoes, special socks, etc.  All their stuff has to fit in a 5-gallon bucket and a big duffel, including the sleeping bag and pillow they use to sleep under the stars.

Golda went with us at 5 am the day after her farewell, to say good bye to Araceli. All those good byes were getting exhausting! It was neat that Araceli had her very own goodbye.

Ryan and Jennie were on the food committee, so they sent a few pics during the week.

Ellison!

It was fun getting these pictures. Thanks, Jennie!

I was happy to have my pioneer home. She is a strong girl. The physical part, pulling handcarts and walking miles every day, was easy for her. The spiritual part was great, too. She loved the whole thing and was glad she went.

First Letter!

 When we got home from dropping Golda off, this gem was waiting in our inboxes.  There is so much to say about the experience, and so many thanks owed to so many generous friends and neighbors, that I don't know where to start.  For now, I just want everyone to know how happy we are that Golda is doing this, and how happy she feels, too.


I'm a missionary!!!
There is no way to properly express how I feel in an email, but I will just
give you a quick rundown and reassure you that I am so happy and that I
know this church is true....

My host was from Davis, the one who got called to Cambodia; Casey Cheney.
She was so nice and helpful and led me through a bunch of doors so I could
get all my official missionary stuff. I got my badge first and the
characters look so foreign and so familiar at the same time. It was a
whirlwind of doors, greetings, and instructions. My companion is Sister
Briggs, who I have been messaging on Instagram! She seems so nice and I'm
glad I kind of knew who she is already. My room has three sets of bunkbeds
and three closets. After dropping off my luggage and getting a big bag full
of language material, I went into my lesson building. Two brothers
immediately began speaking to me in Cantonese, then led me to this room
where I completed an informational video/quiz and get to email you!
It's so strange how normal this already feels. I feel so happy and
excited-I can definitely feel the prayers from everyone, so thank you! I
think I will learn how to introduce myself today and will be praying by
Friday!!
I am so grateful to be able to be hear and be taught by wonderful people so
that I can teach people about Jesus Christ. I have never felt so peaceful
about where I am than now. This is where I am supposed to be.
I love you all so so so much and better get going back to Sister Briggs and
begin learning Cantonese! This adventure has begun and I could not be more
thrilled or excited.
CHARITY NEVER FAILETH
Dad-eat a lot of Michelle's cookies and say hi to everyone
Love you all,

--
*Sister Dopp*

MTC

The day finally, finally arrived that we were to drop off Golda at the Missionary Training Center.  Even though she had been called to arrive on the first possible date she could have, the first Wednesday after her 19th birthday, it was still a long time coming, with all the preparation and anticipation.  At the same time, those last 8 weeks after school ended flew by.  We had a nice dinner, and then regrettably had to leave Victor and Sofia home while we went to Provo.  There wasn't room in the car!  Our family fit just right because Araceli was at Trek.

Golda's friends, Emily Abel and Jessica Stewart, had made these darling signs.  What a fun start to our journey.  Thanks, girls!

One last good-bye, and then...

Pictures at the Provo City Center Temple.  This one was completed and dedicated while Golda lived nearby, so she wanted to stop there.  It's beautiful.  The feeling of the day was unique, celebratory, somber and unsettling, all at the same time.  It was overwhelming.

I was happy that Golda was finally leaving on her adventure.

Scott was sad.  Really sad.

Then the Provo Temple.  This is called the "Field of Tears," because all the missionaries say good-bye to their families and take pictures here.  The backdrop with the mountains is gorgeous.  Scott gave Golda a Polaroid camera, because she really wanted one.  It was fun to have.

Ruby losing her best friend.  Wow! 

Sweet little Xanthe

The tears begin...

All three of the "little" kids wanted their own Polaroid with Golda.  Those pictures are expensive, and Golda wanted to save the film for Hong Kong. but she was happy to oblige the kids.  They felt so special!

Oh no!  I think Scott wished Golda had stayed little so he could carry her on his shoulders forever.  He was really emotional. 

Golda and Tizzy doing their secret handshake.  It's sad how much Tizzy will grow while Golda is gone!

Later, we were laughing so hard at Scott in this picture.  It was the ugly cry.  Poor dad!

At the curb, the air was charged with excitement.  The MTC was lined with dozens of missionaries, all there to welcome the newbies.  This was it!  We unloaded Golda's whole life in two suitcases, and she was off!

I absolutely love this picture!  She was so ready, and so radiant.  I was happy for her, leaving all the responsibilities of "real life" behind and going away, to focus on her relationship with God and her commitment to serve Him.  She didn't have to worry about family dynamics or school or friends or dating, or any of that stuff.  She had carte blanche to focus n this one thing.  Granted, it's SUPER hard, but it's a unique experience, and she was finally diving in.  I was elated.  I was euphoric.  Scott was despondent.  It was quite the contrast.  Scott said I was "making people uncomfortable" by not being more sad.  Maybe true?  It's just that I'm so happy for Sister Dopp to be on this journey. That said, I kinda wished I'd had time to take a year-long nap after we got home, to process the feelings of the day.  No such luck.  We still had 8 kids, and Ruby was having a party at our house that night with two dozen Dance Company friends.  Onward and upward!