Atkin at the MTC

Wow, what a day - delivering Atkin to the Missionary Training Center - 21 January 2009!  Very emotional and exciting.  It's hard to believe it's already been just over 30 years since I entered these same doors.  Now, I have some understanding of what my parents felt back then.

We spent the night before at Carolyn and Perry's home.  We went to dinner with them, Becki and Paul, and Ross, Shirlene and Kira and had a very nice visit at their home!

The next morning I was able to give Atkin a Father's blessing before we left for Provo - the Spirit was strong and helped me through it.  We spent about an hour at the Cougareat at BYU, with Atkin greeting friends and saying goodbye before we went to the MTC.

It really struck home to Laurie when Atkin handed her his nametag to put on his suit - she sobbed for a few minutes and held him close.  When we were walking down the hallway to the room where for orientation and saying goodbye, we heard at loud, "Elder Smedley" just behind us and there was Atkin's friend and college roommate, Elder Tyson Williams, stepping out from the cafeteria to greet him!  Elder Williams entered the MTC the middle of December on his way to Bogata, Columbia.  Tyson handed Laurie a slip of paper with his mom's phone number and asked her to call and tell his mom that he loves her!

We were sitting on the front row in the orientation room, and they asked the missionary next to us to say the opening prayer.  After they got his name, home town and mission, they came over and asked Atkin to say the closing prayer.  When they started the meeting and told who would be giving the opening prayer, it turned out that he was also going to Albania! 

Atkin gave a very heartfelt, sincere prayer - full of concern and comfort for everyone there and excitement about the future - the Spirit is already working strongly with him.  After Atkin finished the prayer, he greeted the other missionary going to Albania (Elder Fisher from Blackfook, ID) briefly and then came to say goodbye to his two "wonderful" parents!  When we were done saying goodbye, Atkin and Elder Fisher left together through the "Missionary Exit."

As we left the MTC, Laurie and I both commented on the strong feeling that he will be a great missionary!

Here is his mailing address.  He will be in the MTC until April 7th.

Elder Atkin Smedley
MTC Mailbox #114
ALB-TIR 0407
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793