They arrived in Canada:

The day before she left it was my birthday.  That evening her friend Karlee and Trevor were here bringing me yummy brownies. While they were here there was a knock on the door.  It was our bishop with a present and he said, "Somebody told me to give this to you."  I had no idea who or what it was.  I opened the letter and it was from my sweet Angelica.  She had written me a sweet letter before she left and gave it with the present to the bishop to give to me on my birthday.  So very sweet and thoughtful.  I of course cried and still do every time I read that letter.  The gift was a lovely plaque.

 The present the bishop brought over and gave to me.

Me holding the plaque and letter she wrote

The beautiful plaque that now sits on our piano

She left the MTC the day after my birthday on Tues Aug 12, 2014.  While waiting at the airport someone with a phone offered to send a picture of her to her family at home.  I was pleasantly surprised when I got two text messages, one with a picture of her and her companion and the other a video of her saying "Happy birthday Mom."

 

Video someone sent of Geli at the SLC airport

 After traveling all day and their flight being delayed for over an hour, they finally arrived in Halifax around 12:30 AM their time.  I got an email that night from the mission President to let me know she arrived safely and she was now in bed sleeping.  I was so happy her mission president thought to send an email to us parents even though I am sure he was tired after being up so late because it was 3:30 AM their time.  I really appreciated that. His assistants also posted pictures on their facebook page of all of the missionaries at the airport.

All the missionaries that arrived in Halifax in that group.

The next day her President sent us another email.  In that email he gave more detail about her arrival.  He said that after they arrived they took some pictures, got their luggage and visas then they went back to the Mission Home where they were fed a late night meal of chili, buns and cookies.  Since the mission home only had enough room to accommodate up to 14 missionaries they had the 16 Elders stay there sleeping on beds, couches and the floor and the 2 Sisters stayed in a vacant sister apartment.  Since they got to bed so late they let them sleep in but they were up, fed and ready to learn by 9:00 AM the next morning.  They were instructed that first day and had the opportunity to do some proselyting later in the evening.  On the facebook page they posted pictures of the missionaries with a note about where they were.  I will share those below.  They went to bed on time that night so they could be up early the next morning and ready to go to their new areas.

From the facebook page:

"The next day starting early the new missionaries are orientated at the mission home. As they are usually tired from the long day before, they are taken down by the lake for a walk mid morning to try and revive them. What a good looking group. Although there are fewer sisters in this picture the current count is 51 Sisters and 66 Elders 30 seniors."

From the facebook page:

"As part of the transfer all of the returning missionaries, local Halifax/Dartmouth missionaries and any missionaries in the metro area as part of the transfer attend a special temple session. What a thrill to be in the temple with this many consecrated individuals."

Angelica told me that was a very special experience to be in the temple with all of those missionaries.

Her President also said in his email that he had the opportunity to interview her and learn more about her and our family.  He said he and his wife felt she had come to the mission ready to serve the Lord and they will do everything they can to help her have a successful mission and one of the greatest experiences of her life. :)