~First of MANY posts to come~

Okay everyone,
Sister Wells has asked me (Lacey, her older sister) to keep a blog updated for her while she is on her mission. So today will be the first of many blogs to come on how she is doing!

     Sunday Tayla gave her farewell speach at her homeward, accompanied by two of her very good friends and a musical number. Afterward everyone met over at the house for treats, photos, and farewells.

Tayla with her G. Grandma Garner (98yrs old)

Tayla and two of her life long friends:
Jake (left) and Tucker (right)

     Tuesday night Tayla was set apart by Pres. Clark, and heard the testimonies of Brother Eckton and Bishop Kemp. She was joined by family and friends and in a few brief moments she went from Tayla- to Sis. Wells. It was funny, she went around collecting hugs from her friends before she could no longer have anyomore; she said she was storing up for the next 18 months... however I don't think Brenna (her baby sister) was going to let her leave without an AMPLE supply!

Front L to R: Brenna, Tayla, Lacey
Middle L to R: Donna, Mickey, Friend (sorry!)
Back L to R: Mason, Jeff

     And as if the moment was never going to arrive, it did. Today, Wednesday the 24th  (Pioneer Day) Tayla prepared to accomplish the last of her tasks before entering the MTC at 2:00pm. In the morning she was picked up by her friend (I wish I knew her name) and taken to breakfast. From there they ran the last of many preparatory errands and then met the family over at Brick Oven for our last meal together for the next 18 months.

Special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Wells for organizing and taking us to lunch!

         Then as time clicked down we made our way over to the MTC and joined the herd of other youth being dropped off and collected by other missionaries. It was really incredible; the moment we pulled onto the property we were constantly directed by helpers so we knew where to go (the first gentleman actually shared with us that he'd served his mission in Chicago some 50 years ago). And the moment we applied our breaks there was a sister there opening Tayla's door and collecting her so she didn't need to worry about where to go, or who to find. Good luck and God speed Sister Wells, we love you!

Grinning and bearing all the photos

Quickly grabbed one before she had
time to register what was up

As you can see there were
some high emotions as
everyone said
Goodbye

Tayla was too nervous to stop talking in order for photos,
so we had to take what we could get:)