I'm in DC!

Just a quick note - Robbie called us last night from the Salt Lake airport. It was REALLY good to talk to him! And then we got a fun phone call early this afternoon from President Matsumori to let us know that he had arrived in DC just fine. There was a little problem with the luggage because their connection in Atlanta was so close, but they think the luggage will be coming on the next flight or two. All is well in DC, and President Matsumori is happy to get his first new group of Elders. It sure was fun to talk to him. He was calling all of the missionary moms to let them know that their sons had arrived safely. What a nice thing to do! I'm sure glad that Robbie will be in the mission field with the Matsumoris presiding over his mission. They are really great people, and I feel very safe knowing that they will be watching over Robbie for the next two years!

Marcie

Off to DC!

Rob and Cousin Jess at MTC


Rob and Sean at MTC



DC and Atlanta Elders leaving on 8/3

Rob and Bro. Tanner, his MTC teacher

Rob's MTC Zone

Hey everyone! It is so weird to be in the middle of my last day here at the MTC, I feel like I just got here! But it has been good, and I am ready to finally get to this wonderful D.C. that I have been hearing so much about. Well thanks for the packages this week!!! Everyone was jealous of my Dr. Peppers! ha! Also thanks for my pillow and sheets. Yesterday was fast Sunday... longest day of my life!! I almost didn't eat for 24 hours, from 6:45 pm - 4:30 pm the next day! Yikes!! Mom I hope your trip was fun to vegas and all!! By the way, I am sorry if I don't get to all the questions you asked me, but I am limited on time, its ok though, after this week I won't be. As far as my travel Itinerary, no families at the airport, but I leave from SLC at 12:50 AM and get to Atlanta, GA at 6:22 local time, or 4:22 Utah time, we have a 1 hour layover in Georgia, and then we fly to Washington Dulles Airport and get their at 9:10 AM local time, 7:10 Utah time I know I can call from SLC airport, and I would assume that I can call from DC when I get there, but I don't know yet, if not I am sure they will let us email or something just to tell you we got their safely. One last thing, Dani you didn't think I forgot did you??? How the freak was your phone call?!?! I got a sweet letter from BB this week, he gave me some pretty good advice, tell him to give me his address so I can write him back! But seriously Dani, tell me all about it, did you take a picture when you got the call?? haha I bet your face was soooo funny! I wish I could have been there!

Well like I said before, I am freaking out a little bit about actually getting to D.C., I feel like there is tons of pressure on me, but I am sure I will have a good trainer that will show me how it's done. Besides, they don't make bad missionary trainers right? I guess I will find out! It is going to be weird not being with my district 24/7 though, in my district 6 of us are going to D.C. and 4 are going to Georgia Atlanta North, and we don't even fly together, how dumb is that?! No worries though, we will all keep in touch, and afterwards I am sure we will have reunions and things like that. Well keep me up to date on how things are at home! I love hearing everything about it! But time is running short on the computer, so I will talk to you tonight probably around 11:00 or 11:30!!!

- Elder Schaap

Week 2!

Elder Schaap and Elder Maughan - Austin Robbs' Bud. They're in the same MTC District!


Elders Kelsch, Schaap, Fowles and Trepanier














Robbie's MTC District

So the first thing I have to tell you is..... I already have my itinerary for my flight!!! Crazy huh?!?! I have a red-eye flight really early on Tuesday August 3rd, my flight leaves from SLC at 12:50! You know what that means..... PHONE CALL!! You better be awake, because I am going to keep calling you until you answer haha. The second thing that I need to address, CAFE RIO?!? For real? Yeah, it was officially meant for me to go to D.C. (We just found out that Cafe Rio is opening in DC. Of all places in the world, they have them in Utah and the West coast and now-DC. He is a lucky boy!)

Well thank you guys for all the letters and packages! I really didn't think I would be as excited as I am to get those things, but it is so awesome when my district leader tells me I have mail, it gives me something to look forward to at the end of the night, so keep them coming!!

So I just want to answer some of the questions you guys have been asking me, Dad I want Alma 29:9 on my plaque if that works. Mom, my branch president's name is President Fisher. Unfortunately no gum here at the MTC, don't ask. Sean got here Wednesday, and I was so excited!!! We have the same meal and gym schedule, so I see him all the time, Sweet!! Well another week has gone by, I can't even tell you how fast this week has gone by, the senior district is leaving this week ;( they are some of my best friends here, and it is going to be really sad to see them go.

Honestly I don't even know what to tell you about what happened this week, it all feels like a blur, and I really can't remember all of it, but it was good. We got new ZL's this week as well, Elder Brown and Elder Bashein they are going to be so good! It is a little weird though, because my district has been in longer than theirs, so we are being told what to do by Elder's who haven't been in as long as us haha no worries though it will be fun, they are cool guys.

Dani, how many days, 4 right?? Holy Mackrell!! Are you freaking out? I am willing to bet that you are haha let me know how it goes, weird to think that by the next time I write you, he will be home!! Crazy!! Also, hows the stats haha I would imagine that you arent even worrying about it too much, but let me know!!!

The MTC is still treating me well, but I am ready to make my own food again... let me just say that the little Lawry's season salt (Which is Robbie's favorite-so much that he took his own shaker!) that I brought is a life saver!! Some of this food here is not edible with out it. The new district is pretty cool, I still don't know them that well yet, but hopefully I will get to know them better in my last week here (WEIRD)!

Well thats about all I have for you today, I am going to write a letter, and send some pictures home!! So I will say more in that! Love you fam!!!


- Elder Schaap

FIRST EMAIL!!

Heyyyyyy everyone!! The MTC has been good so far!! I have had tons of crazy experiences, my district started teaching acting "investigators" on Thursday! Pretty crazy!! I love my district and my zone, my companion is Elder Fowles, he is from Portland Oregon and we work really well together. The food here is alright, but you get as much as you want, so it all works out haha.

I figured out that I am only going to have this P-day, and the next one in the MTC, because we leave the following Monday, August 2nd! I can't wait to get out there!!! By the way, thanks so much for the package!!!! Homemade Oreo's are the best!!! It is so cool getting packages and letters from anyone, but when my DL tells me I have mail, it just gives me the motivation I need to make it through the day. I can only write letters and emails on P-day, but I can read them every night, just FYI.

Well life here at the MTC is definitely crazy, it is weird having my whole day planned out for me down to the minute, but it feels good to be doing something, and being productive all day. As for waking up at 6:30, its not too bad, the first couple of nights I didn't sleep very well, the beds aren't the greatest here, but I am getting more and more used to them. They have some pretty crazy traditions here, I will write a letter telling you more about those haha they are pretty funny. Sunday at the MTC is really really weird, because the only thing that is different about Sunday than any other day pretty much is Sacrament meeting, and you have you wear your jacket all day.... SO HOT!!!! I was pretty much sweating all day, not so fun. But, my teachers are all amazing, my Branch President is actually in Dean's Stake! My class room is on the top floor of my building, and no elevator... and we climb those stairs like 10-15 times a day, its all good though, it keeps that MTC weight off haha

Well I love you guys!!! I miss you! It feels like I have been gone forever already! But sometimes it goes fast because we are so busy! Keep using dearelder.com, thats the best way to write me! And tell Melissa Larson thanks for all the advice!! Talk to you guys next week!!!!

- Elder Schaap

P.S. 4 Square Rocks, and I totally smelled the Pink Starburst tree!!!

MTC

July 14, 2010 - The MTC Drop-off day. Great, Sad, Exciting, Terrible, Dork Dot, Tears, Pictures. Not a great day in my book, but for Robbie it was quite different! (Well I'm guessing since we still haven't heard from him!!) He was a little nervous at first, but once we got there he became very curious and anxious and ready to get going! He is officially a missionary of the Lord and now a spiritual sponge soaking in everything he can right now! As for us-we miss him!! This is going to be a long 2 years....

Here's some pics!

Day Before! Elder Sean, Elder Robbie and soon to be Elder Mike

So Long, Farewell :(

Well today was the day! Rob gave a great talk and had a lot of love and support from a lot of wonderful friends and family! Thanks to everyone for coming and more so for supporting Robbie! 2 years here we go.... 

 

Sup Cuz!

Robbie, Jordan, and Sam.

3 cousins, same age. In our family cousins only come in 3's.Rob and Jord's birthdays are 10 days apart and since they were born they have been measured back to back every single time they get together. Rob I think has finally topped out and won the height battle, but Jordan will forever be able to beat him up. It all evens out.
But now these three strapping young men have decided to serve missions. Elder Sam Egbert was called to Argentina and left in January 2010.

Elder Jordan Egbert (or Erder as his siblings call him) has been in the MTC for a few weeks and will be serving in New York, NY South mission-Cantonese speaking.

And finally, Elder Robbie will be serving in our nation's capital close to Jord in the East.

Our Family Loves our missionaries! Good Luck Boys-We Love you!