FIRST LETTER

Apparently they gave them a little time on their first night at the MTC to write home. Here are some excerpts from Elder Knorr's letter, which we received today:

1 April 09

Knorr Familia,

How's everyone doing? Still hangin' on without me? :)

Well, things are AMAZING here at the MTC. The Spirit here is SO STRONG. I can feel myself "sharpening," as it were. I'm focused; I'm on a mission here! There was a lot of information to take in today and I'm "reeling" a bit still from the sheer weight and volume of it all, but I know that the Lord will make me equal to the task. The one consolation I have is that my Spanish is leaps and bounds ahead of any of the others. Hopefully that will help me be more effective.

I'm currently grouped with two Elders, Elder McArthur and Elder Jeppson. They're both awesome guys, but I've been told that tomorrow I'll be put in with an Elder Tosta and he'll be my new companion.

I love you all and I want you guys to know that I know that the Church is true, and that I'm going to give it my all here. Don't worry about me, but do pray, please.

Love,
Elder Knorr

Entering the Missionary Training Center

Here are some pictures and videos of the big day.

Watch these short videos:

As soon as we got home, 10 year-old Ethan sat down to write his first letter to CB. Here's an excerpt:

Dear "Elder Knorr,"

Hi! How are you doing? Well I know I'm not because when you were walking away I started crying a bunch. And I was crying in the car and at Brick Oven. But anyway I miss you a lot and where is the air soft ammo? By the way, I put on all of your clothes to get the Christopher feeling...I hope you have a killer time. bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye, bye . . . . . . from Ethan

SET APART

At 9:30 pm, Christopher was set apart as a full-time missionary by President Shaw of the Orem Northridge Stake. He received a wonderful blessing and words of counsel and encouragement from President Shaw and Bishop Claybaugh. Dad Bruce also helped with the setting apart.

Bishop Claybaugh, Elder Knorr, President Shaw

One Last Family Fling

We had some weekend fun up in Salt Lake,

including attending the temple,

and eating at The Roof Restaurant overlooking Temple Square.

Christopher's Missionary Farewell

Here are a few pictures from the pre-church gathering at our home.

Lots of family members and friends came to wish Christopher well,

and then walked across the street

to listen to his talk in Sacrament Meeting.

Listen to Christopher's Farewell Talk

Included are:

Short organ prelude

Welcome

CB's talk on the Plan of Salvation

Short "goodbye" hymn from the ward choir

Parting counsel from Bishop Jonn D. Claybaugh

Total time 14:41

Family Photo taken March 2009

It will be awhile before we can do this again.

Christopher, Megan, Bruce, Ethan, Karen, Emily