Welcome Home Abby!

 What a beautiful day we all had yesterday.  It was Abby's welcome home.  Her day to report on her mission.  She gave an amazing talk and had us laughing, tearing up and feeling the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  From her report, you knew that she had a wonderful mission filled with challenges, blessings and highs and lows.  I sneaked a couple pictures.  This is her laughing with the high council who were speaking with her.

The Bishop giving her, her missionary plaque that hung on the wall while she was gone.

Abby giving her incredible testimony.

Obviously I cannot put her whole talk in here but I can give some of the highlights.  Her talk should be published for all the family to read.  It was amazing.  Here are some highlights:

"Today I want to talk about the difference between a testimony and a conversion.  Of the many great miracles and blessings I experience or witnessed on my mission the one I hold most dear is the change of heart that I experienced.  It is not a mission that changes someone, it is the Savior.  On a mission we are able to focus on the gospel full time but each of us in our lives are given the chance to learn, exerciser faith, repent, and hopefully live the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our lives will improve and we go from having a testimony to being converted to the Lord . . . .

One of the greatest ways to become converted is to learn of Him.  It is very difficult to have faith in someone you know nothing about . . . . Conversion is hard because it requires a change. . . .

One of the great tools that we have that is too often overlooked is the opportunity to partake of the sacrament each week.  This is a time to reflect on our efforts to be disciples of Jesus Christ during the last week and commit once again to try and try to be better. . . .

I once listened to a talk by Elder Bednar in which he invited those listening to study the entire Book of Mormon with one question in mind.  I wrote down the question WHO IS THE SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST?  I remember wanting to know so badly who he was, who he was to me more than just stories and pictures.  

When we are converted unto the Lord we know him, we love him, and he knows we love him.  Conversion is not easy but neither was suffering for us in the garden of Gethsemane.  Brother and sisters I promise you it is worth the effort.

We are not converted when we are baptized, when we graduate seminary, when we serve a mission, when we accept a calling or attend the temple.  That all play into it and strengthens our conversion, but we cannot forget who we are trying to become converted to.  We want to become converted unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and it will come throughout our lives, and we consistently keep his commandments, partake of the sacrament each week, and make daily effort to pray, read our scriptures and repent."

I cannot possibly do justice to this amazing talk but hopefully as you read the excerpts that I have jotted down you will feel the spirit with which it was given.  I certainly want to do better and better every day.

After the meeting, we all went back to Jeff and Annie's for refreshments.  Yogurt, cut up fruit, granola, orange rolls and cinnamon rolls.  

Mindy and Robert came.  It was great to see them.  Cute picture of the two of them.  I know Lynda Ann and Abby appreciated their support.

A very happy Abigail Jeannine

We sure missed Emmi.  She is coming in to Norfolk on the 12th of September!  Can't wait to be there and greet the ship and see her come off the her ocean home!

Sunday thoughts?  Words can't describe how much I love this beautiful granddaughter of mine!  Welcome home dear Abbigail Jeannine.  

Sunday Thoughts

 I love this because it is true.  We all need to be accountable for where our lives have taken us - good or bad.  Our choices - our responsibility!

School Begins

 Maren sent me these pictures of Brock and Boston on their first day of school.  Her comment was that they didn't want their pictures taken but they were good sports and let her take them.  They will appreciate it when they are older.  I wish there were a lot more pictures taken of me as I was growing up.  There are actually very few but happy I have what I do.  I know sometimes the grandchildren get tired of hearing the adults say, "Let's take a picture" but I know the day will come when they will look back at them and be glad we all insisted.

Great picture of both the boys.

Birthday in Midway

 Susan invited Lynda Ann and her girls and I to come to Midway for a birthday lunch.  Because Lila Mae's health is declining rapidly we knew it would not be possible to meet at a restaurant for our usual celebration.  Susan and Mary fixed a nice lunch of, what they call "Jeannie's Dish" and Annie and I call a taco salad.  There was Annie, Mallory, Abby, Susan, Mary, Lila Mae and I around the table.  Lunch was delicious and then Susan brought our a birthday cake.  I snapped this picture and didn't tell Susan that she was in it.  If she knew, I would be dead!  She hates her picture taken.  We decided that 8 candles was perfect for 78 and that Annie's birthday is on the 8th of September.  

We opened presents and Lila Mae gave me a beautiful card that she had written in that said, "Remember that I love you.  Always have and always will."  I looked over at her with tears in my eyes and had the over whelming feeling that we weren't going to have her too much longer.  I was feel such love for this sister of mine and at the same time such sadness that she is getting so frail.  

Susan gave me this beautiful hand made cut of the Salt Lake Temple and mine and Neal's wedding anniversary on the bottom.  She also gave me a Swig gift card, a Beans and Brews gift card and a Roxbury gift card.  I'm all set now for a while.

Lila Mae gave me these earrings and a bottle of Giorgio.  Funny thing is that I was right down to the last few drops in the one I had so was thrilled to have another bottle.  Lila Mae said, "Don't you dare say that you are just about out."  I told her it was the truth, that I was just about out.  We had a good laugh over that one.  Her timing was perfect.

When we were ready to leave it started raining.  Annie was driving and when we got in the car she pushed what she thought was the brake release and she popped the hood open.  So Abby and Mallory got out to close the hood.  While they were doing that, Annie pushed another button and opened that gas tank door!  Needless to say we were all laughing hard.  But to give Annie credit, she had never driving the Nissan and hadn't figured out were all the bells and whistles were on the car.  

We made a few stops on the way home.  All in all, it was a perfect day and a fun but kind of sad one.  Just don't know how long we are going to have Lila Mae with us.  Glad that Abby was able to see her.

Dave and Linda Knight

 Dave and Linda were such good friends of ours.  Linda served with me in the Stake Relief Society Presidency as my secretary.  She was amazing.  They moved to DC to be closer to their three children and grandchildren.  I was sad to see them go.  They came back into town for a quick visit to see Dave's father who is in a care facility and then they were driving on to Colorado to see Linda's mom who is also in a care facility.  We arranged ahead of time to have dinner with them.  We met up at Market Street Grill and had a fabulous dinner and amazing visit.  The restaurant was not crowded so we were not made to feel like we had to hurry.  We sat at the table and visit for over three hours.  So much to catch up on.  What wonderful friends.  We miss them greatly.

Some fun random shots taken by our cute waiter.  Sure miss these guys!

Abby's return cont. . .

 After we left the airport, we headed to Tooele to drop off Brinkley and then to Applebees for lunch and more visiting.  While we were there Emmi was able to call and talk with Abby and her mom.  It was a tearful time for them because Emmi couldn't be here, but thank goodness for modern phones that allowed Emmi to reach across the world and visit with her sister.

Cute picture of Maggie and Charlie greeting Abby.  We all wondered if the puppies really remembered.  But, remembered or not, they were instantly loved.

At Applebees

Neal needing a little nap.  Yes, I sent this picture to Tucker for his collection.  Sorry Neal.  Just couldn't resist.

We played a game later in the afternoon and then all of sat in the front room to hear stories of Abby's mission.  Her stake president was coming at 9:00 to interview her and official release her as a missionary so Neal and I left just before that.  It was an incredible day and one that will be long remembered.  Thanks to the Gertsons for letting us be a part of this joyous occasion.  We love you all.

Hermana Gertson Returns!!!!

 What an exciting moment in time when our sweet Abigail Jeannine alias Hermana Gertson came through the airport doors and literally flew into Mallory's arms.  The minute Abby spotted us she was on a dead run and Mallory ducked under the barrier and ran into Abby's arms.  It was such an emotional time for all of us to see this sweet missionary, daughter and granddaughter home safe and sound with a year and a half of memories packed away and the Spanish language mastered.  

Hayley, Neal and I arrived at the airport at noon and the Gertson not long behind us.  Abby's plane landed right on time and pulled up to gate 20 at exactly 12:45.  The anxious part was the waiting for her to come through the door.  

I had to take a picture of where we parked so we could find our way back to our car!  The airport is HUGE and the parking garage massive.  First time we have parked in the new parking garage.

Hayley and I kept our eye on the arrival board for Abby's plane.  She was on flight 1010 coming from Los Angeles.  It finally popped up that it was "In Range".  The excitement heightened by the moment.

Cute picture of Neal and Hayley waiting in the designated waiting area for return missionaries.  Only in Salt Lake would an airport have to build a special area for families waiting for their missionaries.  It is really a nice area.

Abby's plane coming toward the gate.

Her plane turning into the gate.  I had to keep taking pictures to calm my excitement.  I thought I would burst at any moment!

Then the board changed from In Range to Arrived!!  Now it was just a matter of minutes that seemed like hours as I think back on it.

Abby coming through the doors and spotting her family.

Abby running to greet her family.  Such an exciting and memorable moment.

There are so many pictures that I couldn't decided which ones to post.  It just wasn't possible to choose between them because everyone has a story of happy tears, love and memories that need to be recorded for posterity.  

I asked some innocent bystander in the airport who was totally minding his own business, if he would be will to snap a couple pictures - which he gladly did.

Abby with one of her last companions.  Apparently this companion decided that she was going home in a couple days so she just quit working which was miserable for Abby who wanted to make every last moment of her mission devoted to teaching that the Gospel Message Brings Joy!

Three sisters, missing Emmi who is stuck out on the Truman aircraft carrier for an extended length of time.  She was so tearful that she couldn't be a part of Abby's home coming.

Annie trying not to be crying in every picture.  She was having tears of happiness for Abby's safe return and tears of sadness that she knew Emmi was feeling at that moment.  Interesting that tears can be joyful and heart breaking at the same time.

And here we have Brinkley giving Abby a welcome home hug!

Abby couldn't believe how much Andrew has grown!

Abby's sun an!!!  OMYGOSH

This missionary did some serious walking and beating the streets! 

I do feel a little miniature when around the tall Gertsons!

My darling granddaughter and name sake!  How I love this young lady!

My dear Abby.  I hope that you will have many occasions to pause and reflect on your service, talents and time that you gave in building our Father in Heaven's kingdom.  You were part of a great army of missionaries with determination to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You let your example shine the light of the gospel in your mission and to your family, grandparents, and all your extended families.  This is the Lord's work in which you were engaged.  We are so very proud of you and love you to pieces!