I made it to the MTC!

Hey, I'm doing great and all is well I rolled into Ghana last night around 11:30 and then just went to bed and I was exhausted. before we were getting in the taxi to go to the MTC the taxi driver and other guys who helped me and some sisters with our bags ended up smuggling some money out of me saying I needed to pay a tip when really I didn't... I thought they were my friends but they will do anything to get an extra buck (they took 20 but I got 10 back luckily). I'm blessed to have learned that lesson and to not trust so quickly.

Met great people on the plane but my companion is great, Elder Fotu he is from Tonga and a solid guy. Every meal here is like a Half a loaf of bread, small oranges and an egg with some hot chocolate sort of drink. My typing and spelling isn't that great but we don't get much time, I will send pictures soon or when I get the chance. 

They weren't kidding you sweat 24/7 here! It doesn't matter where you are you are sweating constantly because it is so hot here. And super humid. Ghana is not anything like what you think, you will see and hear over time what I mean. The people are loving and easy to love but when they are trying to get somewhere or waiting in line for something. They don't wait, they will do whatever it takes to get to the front of the line or to be first. I would say they are very patient/ Impatient people. You have to be patient with them because they are so impatient so i am learning slowly but getting the hang of it. 

 Also tell all the mothers that over packing their kids is great but everyone looks at us as the rich rich white kid. They accept me and all love me so that is good but things are going good and its starting to settle in more and more but there is lot to learn.

Gotta go there is a line for the computer.  love all of you lots this is for the family I love you guy’s lots don't worry about me I'm doing wonderful and strong. 

love you lots!

Elder Hill

Elder Hill and Elder Fotu at the MTC in Ghana

Luggage from new missionaries only ONE American.

Can you spot Elder Hill???  This is everyone in the MTC both French speaking and English.

Saying Goodbye!

Saying goodbye is NEVER easy. I knew this day would come and I knew he would go in June from the time he was about 12. Everything happened in June, Scout Camp, Timberline Leadership camp, EFY it was normal to see him very little in June. I remember telling my mom he will go in June and it will feel normal but July will be hard.

Truth is it was a mix of emotions,it was fun, it was sad. It was moments of looking at him thinking how do I let him go. How do I trust the Lord with this young man I love so dearly. But then I was reminded that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send him to me so I could prepare him for this very moment.

I knew that Jayson was going to a place that was different and hard and the last thing he needed was a mother crying her eyes out. Jayson has always been strong, and this time it was up to me to be strong.

Jayson got set apart and that was a great experience, Grandma and Grandpa Taylor were there with Brandon and Ryan Taylor and Scott and Kris and Carter Moffitt. President Robinson gave a beautiful setting apart. It was a evening I will never forget.

 We stayed up late talking and finishing packing and then I laid on the bean bag and just watched him sleep. So many wonderful memories came to my mind.

We got up early had breakfast and then had a family prayer together for the last time.It was emotional for Justin and Kailee as well as Travis and I. I asked Jayson to to give me a Priesthood blessing of Comfort. What an amazing experience that moment was one I will never forget. We headed to the airport the drive seemed long. I was praying the whole time. This was Jayson's first time flying and he was going alone. No other missionaries would be meeting up with him.

A tender mercy as we were saying our goodbyes at the airport I noticed a man and his wife in line. They stepped out of line and approached us and said Young man where are you headed. Jayson said I am going to the Ghana Kumasi Mission. They asked what his travel plans were and he told them that he was going to SLC, then to Amsterdam and then on to Accra,Ghana. The sweet lady said "that is our flight plan also". I hugged her and told her thank you. She said they would make sure he got on is flights and would watch after him. I cant tell you how much that meant to me.

Carter, Scott, Austin and Sam came and then Grandma and Grandpa Taylor and Uncle Ryan. Saying goodbye broke my heart watching Justin say good bye was the hardest part. I was watching Jayson thinking I am not ready to say goodbye. Next thing I know I am hugging him and he says " Mom I love you I don't know if I can do this".
I whispered in his ear " Jayson you have got this you can do this it's just a scout a MAJOR scout camp. He said" ya your right I got this". We hugged which seemed like forever and not long enough at the same time. We smiled and he was off we went upstairs and watched as he boarded the plane. Justin was in tears and that made it hard on me to see the little kids so sad. I smiled and waved as he stopped to wave one last time and then my heart just ached.

I know he is doing the right thing and I know he is supposed to go to Ghana. I will be his biggest fan as e plays for the Lords team.  I CAN DO HARD THINGS!!!

Jayson called from the SLC airport from the sweet ladies phone he said they were waiting for him when he got off and that they bought him lunch at Cafe Rio and gave him a $2.00 bill. I could hear her say tell your mom we will make sure you are on the flight to Accra and all will be well. We said goodbye and he was gone. I found my self not really crying not really sad. Honestly I was to busy keeping my other 3 kids busy or they would start crying.

I stayed up most the night watching his flights and waiting for word if he made it. When I did not hear and should have I emailed the MTC and found out the poor kid was so tired he forgot to hit send on the message letting us know he made it.

 

Last picture before heading to the airport

The sweet Couple that was my Tender Mercy

Jaysons flight plans

 TWO BEST BUDDIES!!!

Mason is trying to facetime Jayson after he left he did this for a week everyday several times. then he would get on his pretend phone and call Jayson's best friend Carter and tell him that Jayson was not answering and so he needed him to go get him and bring him home!!!

Saying good bye to your BIG brother is NOT EASY!!

Saying goodbye to dad

Not sure what it really means. Mason thinks he will be home in a few days.

Kailee and Jayson

Ready or not here he goes.

BEST HUG EVER!!!

NOT ready to let him go. Whispers that HE CAN DO HARD THINGS AND HE HAD THIS!!

He is off headed to Ghana

Carter, Elder Hill and Austin

Mason watching the plane. Justin's sweet spirit had a hard time letting his big brother go.

  

Waving good bye one last time!!

Hello to you all welcome to my blog about my mission and the preparation to get ready to go.  I am headed  to Ghana Kumasi,  Africa.  This blog will be used to share my experiences  with you and to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel so bless to be going to Ghana. I am excited for this wonderful experience.

Amazing night at the ST.George Temple

June 2, 2015

What a great afternoon. Jayson had to be at the temple at 3:00 the session was at 4:40. We had so many wonderful friend come support Jayson.  Jayson loves the temple he goes to the temple every week sometimes several times to do baptisms for the dead. So he is really looking forward to doing other work there. It was such a great experience for all of us there.Travis was his Escort. I loved being there with him I will never forget how that felt.  Jayson made the comment that he did not go to the temple it went through him. I had never thought of it that way. He is so ready for whats ahead of him. Its amazing how grown up he is. Time is going so fast.