It's Official...Elder Andrew Schwartz Is On His Way

Yesterday evening Andrew and his family met with the stake president, President Score, and he was set apart as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He is now officially Elder Schwartz.  He heads to Provo Utah today to be trained as a missionary and learn the Portugese language.

Please write him a letter -- you can send it to:

Elder Andrew Schwartz

MTC Box 127

BRA-SPS 0603

2005 N.  900 E.

Provo, UT

84604

Also you can write him through the website, dearelder.com.  This website delivers letters daily to the Mission Training Center and there is no cost to the sender.  His mission name is Brazil Sao Paolo South and he expects to depart the MTC on June 3rd, just under six weeks from now (if that darn visa comes through in time).  

Elder Schwartz with President Score

John joined with us -- he and Virginia are family!

Elder Andrew Schwartz with his proud momma and papa

Elder Schwartz was able to enjoy a Kinder's dinner (which you can't find in Provo, Utah or in Brazil), and say goodbye to good friends before finishing packing and departing early in the morning for the Oakland airport to head to Utah.  We noticed a really nice sign made by friend and neighbor, Hannah DeVries on our street to wish Andrew well on his mission,  Thanks, Hannah!

Thanks, Hannah!

Dakota

Handshake with Ana

Last hug for Momma

We'll miss him, but we know he will be a great missionary!

At the airport...

Farewell, Elder Andrew Schwartz...

Good friend Devin picked up Elder Schwartz at the SLC airport and got him to Provo, for lunch with cousins Cindy and Ben, and then onto the Missionary Training Center.

As a post script, I found this photo of the evening when Phil left on his mission, just about this time, six years ago.  My, oh, my how they change....

2007 -- Phil is set apart for his mission

For a post, post script....Andrew sent out on instagram yesterday this snapshot of a painting that Virginia McDonald did in 2002 of the boys when they were quite young.  He wrote this to his friends:
"Ever since we were young boys, my brothers and I knew that we were going on missions some day.  This will be my last post (on instagram) for two years.  Thank you everyone for everything you have done for me.  Love, Elder Schwartz  #mission #brazil  #seeyouin2years"

Nate and Andrew

Elders Israelson and Fiotonu, who the boys really loved and looked up to...