Yesterday was Abby's missionary farewell. She spoke in sacrament meeting and her talk was amazing. It was based on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Here are three thoughts that I wrote down from her talk:
"One of Gods greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again."
"Our Heavenly Father cares more about who we are becoming, not about who we were."
"Results and changes in our life doesn't come all at once, it comes little by little."
I wish I could have recorded her whole talk. It was amazing. For someone who isn't comfortable getting up in front of people, you would have never known that she was the least bit uncomfortable. She gave a beautiful talk and my heart was touched deeply by her testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and her commitment to serve her Father in Heaven for 18 months.
Some beautiful pictures that Mallory took of her little sister missionary. You can tell from the pictures that the two of them were having a very fun time.
Because of COVID, which seems to be running our lives right now, Abby will be doing her MTC at home. She will be set apart as an official missionary tomorrow evening and will from that point on be in the service of her Father in Heaven. She will follow all the missionary rules just as she would if she were in the MTC. For example, Ray's wife Gloria died and her funeral is this Thursday in Wyoming. She is not allowed to go and cannot be left alone. She has to have a companion with her at all times. So one of her siblings will stay home with her while the rest of the family travels to Wyoming. Another interesting thing is that while she is experiencing her MTC life in her home, her Mission President is her Stake President until she leaves for California. Abby has already been assigned a missionary companion that she has already talked with and now will be studying with and learning the Spanish Language together. Try as it may, COVID has not stopped the progress of the missionary program. Interesting how the church has been able to adapt and move forward.
I have seen miracle after miracle and blessing after blessing as Abby has made the choice to serve a mission. Abby finally received word from the Logan Temple that she can go through for her endowments on March 5th. Because Lynda Ann will still be recovering from her surgery, she will not be able to be Abby's escort. But what a blessing that Abby has two older sisters who have both been endowed and could step in and take the place of her mother. Mallory will be going with Abby.
Another blessing is that Lynda Ann will have Abby with her to help with her mother's recovery. It will be a wonderful time of service for Abby and a bonding between her and her mom that will be cherished. And when it is time for Abby to leave for California, Annie will be completely healed and so Abby and her mom will be able to say goodbye knowing that all is well with Abby, Annie and at home.
I've already seen so many blessing and I know the Annie has already felt some peace and calm amid some serious stress during this time. It has been fun to listen as Abby has already begun to have the ability to speak Spanish in such a small amount of time and seems to do it with such confidence. It is truly a miracle.
I know that Heavenly Father will protect their home because they are housing one of his beautiful daughters who is preparing to go and do the most important work that can ever be done on this earth - His work. I feel so honored to be Abby's grandmother and to be able to see her grow and mature in the gospel.
"O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God with a voice to shake the earth and cry repentance unto every people." Alma 29:1
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