The moment you've all been waiting for...pictures from the MTC!!!

John sent lots of pictures so I picked and chose a few...Enjoy!

Elder Crawford and Elder Spaulding, his companion at the MTC

Ahhhh... this is how I remember my son!

Random thought: Elder Spaulding is a southpaw just like Elder Crawford. Total randomness...

Laundry. Just like home.

Are you like me? I just look at the snow in these pictures, and I can just imagine how cold it is. What a change from the mild winters and the scorching summer heat here in Arizona. But John did get prepped from his job at Blue Bell Creameries- he spent hours in the freezer hauling ice cream. The Lord knows how to prep his servants!

I know that he is excited about heading off to his mission this week. He'll be going from cold to cold again. Lucky him. But in his letters, he is just so excited about his time at the MTC: "I'm learning so much!! I'm preparing to teach the gospel. I am meeting so many people. There are over 2000 missionaries here at the MTC. Oh, it's been snowing like crazy on and off here. Plus it's been freezing, so yeah the coat does help (thanks, Julie!)...I am doing great out here and I can't wait till I get to Ohio. There are souls that need saving...I am the Lord's servant, and this work is true! How great is my calling!" Go, Elder Crawford!

Airport Photos

Sorry it took so long, but here are some pictures from when John left for the MTC. They are a little out of order. If you are interested in emailing him, his email is crawford.john@myldsmail.net. He heads off to the Ohio, Columbus Mission on January 2. 

An Artsy Shot of present missionary and future missionary...

Elder Crawford looking spiffy and ready to go

Elder Crawford and Elder...for the life of me, I can't remember his last name, but his first name is Thomas. John and he met  at Pomeroy's prepping for their respective missions, and they hit it off. Thomas is headed for the Kentucky, Louisville Mission. Good luck to both of them!

Fist Bump (plus awesome photo bomb!)

Final steps to the MTC...

John and Mom: Goodbye!!!

John and Dad

John and Hanako

John and Mom

John and Seth (note Seth's look- he really missed his brother already)

John and Yoko

Security Check

Check In

Family Photo

Brothers' Goodbye

John and Daniel

Elder Crawford ready to report!

Please excuse the prior post. I am having a hard time getting the hang of this blogging stuff. Apparently, copying and pasting is not acceptable.

Anyway, this is John's mom, Michiko. He asked me to update his posts for him while he's serving his mission. I will be sharing pictures, letters and any other info we get from him.

This is a letter we received from him shortly after he left:

12/13/12
Hey, Guys,
I just wanted to let you know that I made it here safely. I love and miss you guys so much. My P-day is Tuesday so that's when I can e-mail you. My companion here is Elder Spaulding. He is from South Carolina. I love my district. There are about ten of us who are going to Columbus. We are flying to Ohio January 2nd for our mission home. The food here is great, and I'm keeping my weight up to par. I'll be here for Christmas and New Year's. I love and miss you guys so much!!
Love, Elder John Crawford
P.S. I love the Gospel and I know this Church is true. I've only been here 2 days and I know this work is the Lord's work. Without the Lord, we are nothing.

We were so happy to hear from him. As his mom, after a week and a half, I still find myself staying up waiting for him to come home. He did have the foresight to leave me his Build A Bear monkey aptly named Juan A Plantain. The first night John left, that stuffed monkey got a lot of hugs and tears. It's getting a little easier, but it's rough because of the holidays. That's when I remind myself that in two years, the best Christmas present will be his homecoming!

I will be posting photos as soon as I figure all this out. Blogger, check. Syncing my iPhone photos to John's computer and iTunes-working on it. Getting an SD card from grandma's camera to his computer-working on  it. Thanks for your patience and support.

This is not working for me. Aargh!

Okay, so I will be in the MTC for 3 weeks, which means I will be there for Christmas. If you would like to write me during that time, my address is:

Elder John Allan Crawford

MTC Mailbox # 232
OH-COL 0102
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793   

My mission Address is as posted:

Elder John Allan Crawford

Ohio Columbus Mission

19 Clairedan Dr

Powell, OH 43065

United States

 I look forward to hearing from you !!!!!!!

Here we go!!

Well this is it! One more day and then I am off. This is my official blog while I am on my mission. This will be updated weekly or so. Thanks for the support and I will see you in two years.