Phone call from SLC Airport

A couple days ago, we learned that Michael might have a chance to call home before his 8:30 AM flight.  The kids all got up early so they could be ready for school and still have time to talk.  A couple minutes past 7 the phone rang.  We saw it was our neighbor on the caller ID.  We were shocked when we heard Michael's voice on the other line.  Our neighbor, Blake Wakefield, just happened to be catching a flight and saw "hundreds of missionaries all over the airport."  He saw Michael, took a picture, handed his cell phone over, and then entertained Michael's companion while we caught up.


Here is the photo Blake sent.

Michael told us that on Sunday night, the MTC had a special meeting.  They were told that this coming week 900 missionaries would be leaving the MTC, and of those 900, 200 where heading to California.  The day he entered the MTC, 800 missionaries joined him.  Half were Sisters.  He said each dorm room is set up to hold 4 people.  He spent time moving another two beds into every dorm.  He also said he was getting out of there just in time to miss the growth.

A couple days ago, a group of 8 missionaries got on an elevator that holds 20 people.  One of these boys happens to be a linebacker for BYU.  They all jumped at once, and the elevator immediately stopped.  They were stuck in there for 45 minutes.  

Concerned to be holding up Blake, we said bye so Michael could help his companion find a pay phone to call home.  We hoped he would be able to call back again.  Sensing this possible second call, Aimee was kind enough to drive the junior high carpool so Laura could stay near the phone.  Thank you Blake!

With just 30 minutes until his flight was scheduled to leave, we figured there just wasn't enough pay phones in the airport this morning for the amount of missionaries.  To our surprise, another businessman from Alpine, UT was letting missionaries use his cell phone.  We got to talk to Michael for just one more minute.  Although time was so short, it let us express our deepest love as he headed to his field of labor.  Later, Laura text this kind stranger to thank him.  He text this back, "He (Michael) was just beaming.  I think he said he is 18- which is very exciting.  All the best to your family."