A simple request

Patch is requsting letters.... He really likes letters.... He would love to here from friends and family..... His address is on the sidebar....

:)

First Letters

We heard from Elder McBride this week. He says he is enjoying the MTC and can not wait until he gets to Riverside to start teaching! His companion is Elder Whimpy. Patrick says he is practically famous at the MTC because his companion is a movie star. He stared in the move Churchball a few years ago.

He also said that it is a bit of an adjustment, being busy every single second, versus the past couple months at home, with no job, and being a little lazy... (We all know Patch watched his nieces and nephews, and helped my mom refinish her kitchen and living room this past summer/fall, so he couldn't be that lazy!)

Elder McBride still has his sense of humor, and says he knows why the MTC goes through 2.5 million tons of cereal each year, but since he doesn't have to cook or clean, he can't complain too much. :)

He sounded really positive and upbeat in his letters. He loves the gospel and learning about the teaching he will do.

MTC

Elder Patrick Grayson McBride entered the MTC Wednesday January 21st.

One thing we know about Patrick is his huge, contagious smile - and as we watched him walking in, and taking in his surroundings that smile was there. He was a bit nervous during lunch, I think he ate three bites, but we had a nice as a family, laughing, joking around and just being together.

If you have never been to the MTC, it is an experience everyone should experience at least once. Everyone is very nice, and as we were walking through the volunteers must have said "Congratulations Elder" 15 times. Which caught me off guard just a little bit. "Congratulations Elder." It was like he had won a prize, a vacation - money, something. Instead he will be serving the Lord for the next two years. He will be learning, growing and teaching the gospel. He will be building testimonies, both his and others. There is no other time in a person's life that they can do so much good in 2 years. Congratulations Elder indeed!

I watched Elder McBride put his missionary name tag on his suit, and his face was beaming, I watched as he sat in the chapel getting more and more anxious, and I watched as he listened to the MTC president. I know that he is going to be the very best missionary -

Saying good bye was difficult - everyone loves Patch, but we all know he is following the commandments. We know our family will be blessed! And we know Elder McBride is going to be a fabulous missionary!

Patch's Day

Patch (we can still call him that for a few more days....) spoke in church January 11th. He spoke about temptation and how blessed he has been to have good friends and family and the positive influence they have been. He could tell how much he is loved by how many people came to show their love and support!

We are blessed to have Patch, (aka Spatula, Paka, Uncle Patchie, Pacha, Patty Wagon) in our family and are so proud of his decision to serve a mission. We know the people of Riverside will be touched!

Here are some pictures of his farewell luncheon today. We did have lots and lots of family there too, but somehow they avoided the camera!