And he's off !!!

Today was definitely a tough day for the Routledge family :-(



Saying goodbye to Elder Routledge was MUCH harder than any of us realized, but we couldn't be more proud of our son and brother. 

We arrived at the airport about 4 hours early (yeah, some of us were SUPER excited!!) Elder Routledge just could NOT wait for his adventure to begin :-)


After taking MANY photos and lots of video it was time for check in.

A few more photos, and our Stripling Warrior was on his way to begin his 2 year adventure. 

Elder Routledge's Family 

Letting go and saying goodbye for 2 years can be very hard for a mom....and a dad...

                                    
But knowing how much he is loved and by so many, makes it just a little easier to let him go.

He went through security and we just weren't sure what to do next. 

So we went home, and just waited for confirmation of his arrival in Salt Lake. That confirmation came in the form of an amazing picture of a very happy Elder. (I swear that boy's smile can NOT get any bigger !)

And of course after flying for 2 whole hours, you just HAVE to get a bite to eat !

And how did Elder Routledge round out his last evening before entering the MTC? Why he spent it with the missionary that baptized him 6 years ago, of course. They went through the Oquirrh Temple, made some cookies and hung out with family. 

Little hard to see, but that's Elder Routledge!

Temple selfie !!

  

Families ARE Forever 

Cookies !!

Elder Routledge will enter the MTC (Missionary Training Centre) tomorrow and that is when his mission will truly begin. He feels blessed to have so many family and friends supporting him here at home as he begins this journey and "Leaves his family for a while...so others can be with their FAMILIES FOREVER"

Until we meet again....