Early this morning, Tuesday, November 28, 2017, we took Tanner to the Idaho Falls Airport for him to depart to the MTC in Johannesburg, South Africa. We got ready to leave our home and he couldn't find his passport, so we all started going through his backpack and suitcases and his sister found it in his backpack. Then we went out to get in his dad's car which had been warming up and his dashboard lights were flickering so we quickly all unloaded and moved his luggage to my car and realized that I was nearly out of gas, but we made it to Idaho Falls to check in by 6:30 am. His dad told him that someone didn't want him to go on his mission. When we got back home the car started just fine with no issues. His plane left at 7:24 am and arrived at the Salt Lake International Airport at ? then after a short layover and meeting some other missionaries who were headed to Peru he and Elder Kirkpatrick continued on to the Atlanta Airport. A very kind person offered him his cell phone to call me which was a relief to hear from him. A couple hours prior to his call, I had said a silent prayer that I would hear from him somehow and know that he was not traveling alone as that was my main concern. A tender mercy for sure. I was so relieved to know that there were 4 other elders traveling with him. When I answered his call I started to cry and he said, "Mom, stop crying. I am fine." After another layover and about a 2 1/2 hour delay due to airplane mechanical problems they were on their way to Johannesburg. They left at 8? p.m. and arrived on Wednesday at about 7pm (which is 10 am MST). Just after 12:00 p.m. (MST) he was able to send us the following email to let us know that he had arrived.
Hey mom we made it to the MTC safe and sound. There is 5 American elders here, but 13 more missionaries coming to report tomorrow. There is a big thunderstorm, but we are safe. LOVE YOU give all of the family my love.
Elder Brady
P.S. P-days are Tuesdays in the MTC.
