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.