Elder Bales was supposed to board a plane Wednesday morning, January 6th, to go to the Mexico MTC but unfortunately his Visa did not come so he received information that he was to enter the Provo MTC until his Visa arrived. He was a little disappointed but tried to look at the bright side of things. This would maybe give him a chance to experience both MTCs if he eventually was sent to Mexico City before all of his training was finished and he might have the opportunity to see a couple of his friends while there. It was probably a good thing he wasn't getting on a plane that morning because his luggage was a bit on the heavy side-one of his suitcases weighed 68 pounds! He will have to do a little rearranging or give away some things before he heads to Mexico. We drove down Wednesday morning and met his aunt Sharla in Sandy for lunch at Noodles & Company. He ordered 2 different pasta dishes and ate almost all of both like it really was his last meal LOL His aunt Sharla then drove us down to Provo to the MTC and the drop-off is pretty fast where an Elder is right there helping you unload your bags, take a quick picture and they whisk your missionary away to begin his 2 year service. It was difficult to watch him walk away knowing I wouldn't personally see his big smile or get one of his wonderful hugs for a long time, but I also know that this is what he is supposed to be doing right now in his life. The blessings received will  far outweigh the things that will be missed while he is gone.