"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my whole life!"

                                           
  Tanner in the Temple Square Visitor's Center in Salt Lake City with the current Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, President Thomas S. Monson.

At 8:51am this morning my phone rang. As I looked at it, I noticed an (801) area code. My heart raced knowing that that area code was from UTAH! Who could be calling me....The conversation went something like this, "Hello", "Hi Mom, it's Tanner". "Are you ok?" "Mom, I"M THE HAPPIEST I"VE EVER BEEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE!" Tanner had called about a VISA problem which needed to be addressed, so when he left for Chile in July he would be able to enter the country as a missionary and not be sent back to the United States by a Chilean Customs Agent. Everything was addressed and a new VISA is now being issued with the help of the Church. Then at 9:23am a call from the same number! What mother gets two calls from her missionary on his 1 week mark! A dream come true!!! Tanner had a few more questions so his VISA form could be filled out accurately and be expedited today. In about a minute flat Tanner mentioned that he had a new companion, new district, new roommates, new P-DAY (Friday), new everything! Tanner's spirit and happiness were contagious as I listened to him. Due to Tanner's level of Spanish, it was determined that he needed to be put in a higher level group (I believe he said Intermediate) which meant changing everything. Tanner said that he had had incredible life-changing experiences this week and that he would share them in his email home Friday. We closed our conversation with our goodbyes knowing this would be the last time I talked with him until Christmas. Tanner said, "Mom. thanks for everything.  I feel so loved while I've been at the MTC." This goodbye was a happy one for me personally knowing that Tanner was in good hands and doing what he had prepared his whole life for,serving the Lord and that he had felt so much love and support from family and friends that he expressed it openingly before the final goodbye.