Quinton Carlton August 2019-March 2020

During senior year, Quinton decided he wanted to serve a proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He did the necessary paper work/medical appointments and submitted his paperwork to get an assignment for service. Quinton was called to the Mexico Hermosillo Mission for two years Aug 2019-Aug 2021. This mission is actually where Eddy's mom is from and generations of her ancestors lived in a couple of small towns in Sonora area. This mission borders Arizona where we live and is only a 5 hour drive from our home. We were all very thrilled with Quinton's mission call.

Quinton by Gila Valley Temple with Mexico Flag

Quinton was set apart and becomes Elder Carlton

One last visit to his Great-Grandma before he leaves

As a family we took Elder Carlton to the Tucson Arizona Mission and said goodbye. Elder Carlton repeatedly told me, "Mom, don't expect me to cry at the airport-I am not a cryer!" True to his word he didn't but I can't say the same for the rest of the family!

Two year goodbyes are hard!

Elder Carlton went to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center for 9 weeks to learn the Spanish language and how to be a missionary

At Mexico MTC with teacher in black and companion.

Mexico City Temple

A word about missionary service, the purpose of a mission is to teach of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and help others make commitments that ultimately lead to baptism and membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While a missionary you follow strict guidelines and rules-your whole purpose is serving the Lord without pay and basically putting your old life on hold-for example no dating or video games or movies. What you do, do as a missionary is study a lot and work basically 9:30 am to 9:30pm. Missionaries are not paid but in fact pay $400 a month to be a full-time missionary. Once a week a missionary get to call home and visit with their family.  

Quinton goes to an internet café to call home weekly. Here he shows off some recent purchases.

Elder Carlton in his missionary apartment 

Elder Carlton with his landlady Mama Luly-she was the best and took good care of Quinton and made him a cake for his birthday.

Elder Carlton far right with other missionaries

Members of the church usually feed missionaries one meal a day.

Quinton with a girl who was baptized, she was later kidnapped and was never heard of again. So very sad!

In March, Quinton received devastating news that all foreign missionaries would be sent home due to COVID-19. Elder Carlton wanted to stay in Mexico and continue serving as a missionary but he was not allowed to.

Elder Carlton reads the email that he is being sent home-he was so disappointed.

On March 30, 2020 we picked up Elder Carlton at Phoenix International Airport which was a ghost town. No stores or eateries were open in the airport and the only ones using the airport were missionaries being sent home from all over world. 

Welcome home, Elder Carlton!