Sunday, Day 5

 Today was an interesting, busy, fun and a little sad day all combined into a few hours this morning.  Because we were up until 2:30 watching the BYU game we all slept in until a little after 7:30.  Emmi needed to be at Fort Gordon to meet her Chief and two other people car pooling to Norfolk, Virginia where they would be boarding the aircraft carrier.  We drove to the airport first thing to rent a car for Annie and I so that we could get to the airport at 4:30 tomorrow morning.  Emmi said not to trust Uber or the taxi services, thus the rental car.  We did check on changing our tickets to leave today but they would not let us.  We are not in love with American Airlines.  From there back to the apartment to help Emmi finish packing and then we followed her to the base to meet her group.  It was fun to meet some of the team that she will be on the ship with and to meet her chief.  Then it was time to say our goodbyes.  Always teary and hard - no matter the circumstances.  

After we got back from dropping Emmi off and running a couple errands we got back and began the process of packing.  Always a project because we always have more to take home than we came out with.

God speed Emmi.  We love you!!

Saturday, Day 4

 Today was more of a stick around the apartment and run a few errands.  It was a very relaxing and fun day to just hang out and visit, play games and watch a movie or two.  Abby had also contacted us and let us know that we could tune in on a baptism at 2:00 p.m.  The actual baptismal service didn't get started until about an hour late because the mother and son who were being baptized had a tire blow on their way to the chapel.  But, they finally arrive and the service was underway.

Abby is on the left in blue.  She and three missionary sisters sang a song.  

This is the actual baptism taking place.

This is Abby and her companion giving a talk while waiting for the mother and son to get dressed.  It was so fun to hear Abby give a talk in Spanish and without notes.  She talked, then her campion talked and then she shared her testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel.  We, of course, didn't fully understand what she was saying but the spirit whispered to us the truth of her words.  It was a beautiful experience for Emmi, Annie and I.  Modern technology is wonderful when used for a good purpose.  

This is one of those incredible moments of peace for Abby knowing she is about her "Father's business" of teaching those who long to know the plan of salvation.  

After the baptism we decided to run some errands, then came back, watched the movie RED, which was excellent, then ordered pizza and played a game of Shanghi and then settled in to watch the BYU - Florida game.  It started at 10:30 pm Georgia time.  Annie and Emmi fell asleep through the last half but I was wide awake and totally into the game.  BYU won but it was not an easy win.  Our defense struggled a bit, but we pulled it off.  GO COUGARS.  So nice to have a winning year.  

We all went to bed at 2:30 a.m.  Very short night!!  By the way.  The final score was 35 - 27.  You can see we started out with a bang but we let them catch up way too close!  I was doing a little bit of nail biting!!

Friday, Day 3

 What a fun day we had today.  We started out by driving through McDonalds and getting smoothies and cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  From there we headed to Atlanta to IKEA.  Emmi wanted to look for some dishes and glasses.  We wandered through IKEA and found all that we were looking for.  Annie even found some blue cupboards that she really like for her kitchen.  Something she will check out when she gets back to Salt Lake.

This is a picture this morning outside Emmi's apartment.  She said it is usually full of ducks and geese but they have all moved on to another pond, somewhere.

Picture of downtown Atlanta.

Picture of Emmi in IKEA

After we left IKEA we decided that it was time to stop and have an early dinner.  It took us a little over two hours drive from Augusta to Atlanta.  We found a Texas Road House and went in there for dinner.  Annie's treat.  We all had a delicious dinner and delicious rolls.  Emmi said that Abby's saying is "It's a good meal if it hurts to walk to the car."  And that is exactly how we all felt when we left.  

From there we hit the outlet stores.  We found a few great deals.  Vinyard Vine, Eddie Bauer, etc.  We shopped until we felt like we had seen enough and back in the car and headed toward the Atlanta temple.

The Atlanta temple was just a little way off the path toward home.  It was so much fun to walk around the temple grounds and feel the spirit that was there.  We noticed the parking lot was pretty full so people are back to attending the temple.  We had hoped to go and brought our recommends and our temple clothes but Annie came down with a cold and they encourage people to please stay away if you are sick.  So we had to forego a session.  Maybe next time.

There is a story here.  If you notice, Emmi is standing in the center of the stones.  If you stand on it and say something it echoes back to you.  If you step off and say the something, you don't get the echo.  Very interesting.   Of course, we all tried it and it worked every time.

Emmi and I have a happy moment.

Well, here I was laughing so hard that I couldn't walk or stand up.  I'm not going to tell you what I was laughing at but I'm sure Annie or Emmi can fill you in if you are interested.  It will be long remembered!

From there we headed back to Augusta.  We got home about 10:15 and were happy to walk in the apartment.  It was a long but very fun day.  There was a note on Emmi's door, left by a good friend of hers that she knows from church who is in the army.  She knew that Emmi's mother and grandmother were in town visiting.  This is the note she left:

So proud of Emmi and the example and impact she is making on other people's lives.  She is totally on a mission for the church, even thought it isn't an officially called church mission.  

Thursday, Day 2

 Emmi had to work this morning so Annie and I got to sleep in.  I woke up about 6:45.  Emmi had already left for work so I came out in the front room so I didn't disturb Annie and I did some stitching and read a book until Emmi got home about 9:30.  We had hopes of going to the temple but Annie has a cold and the temples have asked that you don't come if you don't feel well.  So we called the temple and cancelled our appointment and made different plans for the day.  We left about 12:30 and got a bite to eat and then to the salon to get pedicures.  From there we did some in and out of stores shopping, bought a few little things and then made a stop at Cold Stone for ice cream.  We sat outside and enjoyed the perfect weather and temperature.  Very fun and very relaxed day.

This is Emmi in her NWU (Navy working uniform).  

This is the patch that Emmi wears on her uniform when she is on the ship.

Her hat that is part of her uniform.

I was actually excited when I saw this patch on her uniform.  I actually have this Don't Tread On Me cross stitched on one of my projects that is hanging in the kitchen.  It has an interesting history that you would find very interesting.  Go look it up.

Thought this was fun that she had me and Annie scheduled on her calendar of events.

Getting ready for our pedicures.

Last but least we stopped at Cold Stone for ice cream.  So delicious.

Our Trip Begins

 Annie and I planned a trip back to Augusta, Georgia to see Emmi before she gets deployed to who knows where.  She also has a new apartment off base and we wanted to see that as well.  We met at the airport at 10:30 and began our all day journey to Augusta.  Our plane left at noon and we flew to Fort Worth, Texas where we had a 3 hour lay over.  We wandered around the airport for a while, then found a Mexican food place where we had a delicious dinner.  Then back to our gate where Annie slept for about 1/2 hour and I read.  We boarded the plane at 7:00 and arrived in Augusta at 10:10.  Emmi was at the gate waiting for us.  It was so good to see her and finally be here.  We gathered our luggage and headed to Emmi's place.  Of course we talked for a little while and then finally let our heads hit the pillows at midnight.  We were all tired and I don't think there was anything said except "Good night, I love you" before everyone was sound asleep.  

Sunday Thoughts

 I've been thinking a lot about Abby this week.  I need to write her tomorrow.  There is never a conversation with Lynda Ann that I don't asked about Abby and how she is doing.  There is a talk called "His Grace is Sufficient".  Grace isn't about filling the gaps, it's about filling us.  He compared grace and striving to become perfect to practicing the piano.  We need to continue trying and practicing and we can't expect ourselves to be a prodigy at first.

I think we all need to hear that.  I'm positive that Abby has thought of home and discouragement that fills her thinking.  I'm sure there are many times when she has felt discouraged and inadequate.  But I also feel that she has felt so much peace, and happiness as she continues each day to teach the gospel.  This all ties into God's grace.  It is not something that she will get far off in the future, it is a blessing that she can receive right now and hopefully be content with the progress she is making rather than worrying about being a perfect missionary.  In Doctrine and Covenants, "continue in patience until we are perfected."

Abby, you will continue to have moments when you long for home and family but you will have many more moments of peace knowing that you are about your Father's business of teaching those who long to know the plan of salvation.  Your Gam and Pa love you and pray for you every single day.  

Another Project Finished

 I've been working on Lila Mae's quilt for her 90th birthday.  I'm so happy with it and so excited to have it done.  It is the binding that seems to take the longest to finish and for me is the most tedious.  I finished it last night and am so excited to give it to her.  We are having a 90th birthday party open house for her on October 17th.  Lynda Ann is busy making the invitations.  It should be a very fun day for Lila Mae.  She has been a wonderful sister and I love her and hope that she stays healthy and lives many more years.  I just cannot imagine life without her in it. 

A Creative Jamie

 Jamie sent me these cute pictures of her sporting a different hair style.  She said it took nearly 3 hours to braid all the dreads into her hair.  She said she had a headache one day, but mostly she said it feels like her neck is getting stronger.  She indicated that each one is basically like Barbie hair, so very light, but it does add weight.  She said she can keep them in for 6 weeks before they get loose and need to be redone.