Passing Through

Before entering the MTC, Aleksi was able to pick up Mitch from the Salt Lake Airport and take him home for some lunch. They enjoyed a couple precious hours together before two years apart.

Mitch, in the SLC airport

Hour long drive back to provo

Cort made lunch

 They spent some time around the house, taking pictures and Polaroids and then it was time to go.

Mitch's "excited face"

Luggage

Tearful goodbye

Elder Poirier

Lex, Mitch and Cort; final pic

Leaving a boy, returning a Man

Best of Luck, Elder Poirier! Your family is proud.

Vaya Con Dios

Leaving for the airport (PBI).

It's 4 am

Checking in at the Delta counter.

So ready to begin the life of a missionary.

Experiencing so many emotions.

1. Joy

2. Sadness

3. Pride

4. Humility

5. Loss

6. Accomplishment

7. Pain

8. Thankfulness

9. Happiness

10. Faith

Is it possible to be happy and sad at the same time?

Until we meet again.

ONWARD! Called to Serve

Tonight Mitch became Elder Poirier.

President Litchfield set Mitchell apart as a Missionary for the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Along with that, he was given a blessing

of health, comfort and strength.

He will go and do the things that the Lord

has commanded.

Last Sunday in Florida

Thank you to all my friends and family who came to church to hear me

give my talk on preparing for a mission! I love you all so much!

I'm going to miss you!

Please write me letters! I promise I'll write back!

What a day! So much crying!

Farewell Party!

Mitchell made two delicious pies!

Blueberry Lime and Strawberry Raspberry Mint

Catering by Pollo Tropical--YUMMY!

VIVA MEXICO

The photos don't really show it, but there were a lot of people

there to celebrate with and support me!

Thank you everyone for coming to my farewell party!

I can't wait to start writing you all letters!

And thanks mom and dad for having this party!

TWO MORE WEEKS

I've been trying to be patient and stay busy,

but since I have no job and too much time..

1) I've become the Poirier family House Elf

(driving, painting, cleaning, dog-walking, etc).

2) I have been re-reading the Harry Potter series,

as Elder Christiansen had advised me.

*Note the HP reference in 1)

3) I've been reading the Book of Mormon in

Spanish (it's really helping my vocab and grammar).

4) I've been mission-shopping:
shoes, ties, shirts, suits, sheets, luggage, and such.

5) I have been listening to all my music I'll miss,

especially the Shins and the Strokes.

6) I visitied my brother, Max, and all my friends in Gainesville.

Thanks for making me the pies!

7) I've replaced the battery in Sal (my red pick-up truck).

8) I've been playing "Jealousy" with Bentley, my bulldog.

He really thinks I want his toys.

9) I've been going out with the missionaries in our ward

and learning how they teach and work together.

10) And I have been learning all I can about what to expect

when I'm in Mexico: no mail, bedbugs, hand-washing laundry,

great food, bad water, and the best people.