Well, time to kick off the blog for Andrew's mission!  He's on his way to the Baltic States Mission, with the specific assignment of Latvia, Latvian speaking.  The Mission itself covers 4 different countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Belorussia) each with its own language needs.  Someone called to the mission as a "Russian Speaker" can serve anywhere across all four countries, where a specific language assignment ensures you are tied to that particular geographic area-- so in this case, Andrew has his mission-within-the-mission, LATVIA.  SO he'll be learning Latvian in the MTC, but no doubt will also pick up a bit of Russian on the street over there. We are in a period of countdowns right now-- 3 hours to his setting apart by the stake president, 14 hours to the flight to Utah, 68 hours until he reports on Wednesday at the MTC.  SO much to do (and frankly buy), so little time left..

Last week, being that we live here in Europe, Andrew and I thought we'd take a quick 36 hour trip to Riga and scope out the sights of his new home for the next 2 years.  Thought it would also be an inspiring way to get a quick "feel" of the place, so that during his training over the next two months, he'd have a specific mental image of the place and people he'll be preparing to serve.  And I have to Say, Riga is BEAUTIFUL.

We do miss his Grandpa-- the plan was for Dad to get out here for this weekend, but he's ended up with a broken shoulder/collarbone Wednesday, so that has been the only low point this weekend.  Andrew gave a great farewell talk in church today, about perseverance and enduring to the end.

Soooo...  Andrew's basically giving Agi and I the carte-blanche to post to this blog in order to keep our friends and family & loved ones apprised of his progress and activities, via these here inter-tubes :-)  Should be fun.