Advice

During our family vacation in June, family members were asked to give their advice to Andrew on what he could do to better succeed on his mission.  If any of you have advice you would like to give to Andrew, please include it in the comments and I will send your advice on to him.  Here are the family's responses:

DAD - Obey with exactness.
MOM - Be nonjudgemental.  Be patient.  Trust in the Lord.
MICHELLE - Be diligent.  Remember the Lord.
JEFF B. - Follow the Spirit.
LYDIA - Help other people.
CLAIRE - Read your scriptures.
SPENCER - "Smile!"
JEFF M. - Love your companion.
KIMIA - When discouraged, forget yourself and go to work.  When it's too hard to stand, kneel.
ANITA (with Jeff's help) - People will love the light they see in you.
RYAN - Serve with whole heart.  Obey, which will lead to an increase of the Spirit.
RONDY - Exercise your faith.  Faith is a choice.  Faith can lead to miracles.
NATALIE - Show people that you care.  Remember that numbers are not the focus.
BEN - Pray when difficulties come.  Be strong.  Remember that sometimes leaders are called to allow them to grow.
EVERYONE - Remember your family loves you!  Write home!

See ya later!

Andrew had several opportunities to say good bye to family and friends as he prepared to leave.  Jeff, Kimia and Anita were first.  We stayed with them for a night on our way to Utah in June for our family vacation.

Dad, Michelle, Jeff, Lydia, Claire, Spencer and grandparents said goodbye in Arizona when Andrew was leaving for the airport.
Mom, Natalie, Ben, Samuel, Ryan and Rondy said their goodbyes right before Andrew entered the MTC. 
This is a sampling of the pictures we took.  Pictures of those who said goodbye in Arizona are in the previous post.  As you can see, there are many people who love Andrew and are praying for him to find success and joy as he serves the Lord!

Elder McClellan

Andrew was set apart as a missionary by President Daniel Barker, stake president of the Gilbert, AZ Highland Stake on July 5, 2011.  He came to our home at 7:00am so that Andrew's dad could be there before leaving for work.  Andrew's grandparents were there: Roy & Lenora McClellan and Richard & Julie Hale.  Michelle & Jeff Boyd, Lydia, Claire and Spencer were there, too.  They stayed overnight with us after celebrating the 4th of July the night before.  That way, the kids could sleep and they could attend the setting apart.  Of course, Andrew's mom and dad were there, too.  It was a special morning with testimonies borne of missionary work and faith in Jesus Christ.  We took a few pictures, then Dad said goodbye to his son for two years.  Andrew and Mom left for the airport later that morning and were on their way to Utah.

The Mission Call

Andrew received his mission call while a freshman at BYU.  He was so excited to be able to serve and to find out where he would be going and when he would report.  He opened his call in his apartment with friends and family.  Mom and Dad were on the phone and watched him open the call over the computer.  Yay for technology that made it possible!  He was called to serve in the Argentina Resistencia Mission with a report date of July 6, 2011.