These last two days have been packed full! Friends and family all week-end.
Justin and Kammi so willingly donated their home and food for all the guests.
Tara and Myron provided the teen and children entertainment at their home.
It all started at 6:30 pm on Saturday. Kammi made 14 homemade pizzas and then of course, dear friends from the ward brought salads and desserts! So many came from near and far that I wouldn't be able to name everyone! Some could come Saturday and others came on Sunday for our talks in Sacrament meeting. The tears of course came as I hugged my dear friends.
Our houses were packed for the night as Briana flew in, Mom was here, and Chris and Candiss did not want to drive home and then back again for 9 am church. All couches and beds and floors were used. The biggest task was getting everyone ready by 8:45 am. But we did it!
The front of the chapel was filled with family and friends. The rest of the ward had to sit in the back.
Justin blessed their daughter, Aundrea Clair Burnett. What a special day! She slept through the whole thing.
The grandkids (27 that could sing, 3 babies not included) sang the Armies of Helaman. Kira played thecello and Ashlen played the violin. Kammi played the piano. What a special memory.
I gave my talk without too much blubbering. I felt the Spirit was there and that the message that I felt prompted to give was received with that same Spirit. The talk has been dubbed: 3 Little Pigs Doctrine. Well, what do you expect from someone who has been teaching those wonderful pre-school children?
I had one sister email me and state that she had witnessed a miracle today because her teenagers were actually listening to my talk! That made smile.
Mike also gave a great talk about a "higher law". Living the Ten Commandents is good but it is a terrestrial law. Keep your hands to yourself type of living. Jesus came to his disciples who were living this law and asked them to follow Him and they learned a higher law. A celestial way of living. Love and serve. Instead of keeping hands to self, lend your hands to others with no strings attached. I can't give his talk justice, but that is what I gleaned from it.
After our talks, Bishop Walter gave us his blessing as follows:
You'll be safe and protected, be a light and a beacon, share hope and love, be able to teach the people about His great atoning sacrifice.
After the 3 hour church meetings, everyone that could went back to our homes and we had BBQ meat of all varieties. We went through 40 lbs of meat! One of our friends cooked a deep fried turkey. It was all yummy and houses were packed again. Friends and family that needed to travel left about 2:30 including Mom. THAT WAS THE HARDEST!
At 5pm, the Stake Presidency came to Justin's home. We were all in the basement and they were amazed at the size of our group! Thought we had another ward meeting going on. He wanted to take a picture he was so impressed Pres Miles said he had never been to a home with so many family members present. Pres Miles was voice and Pres Schmidt and Pres Funk all participated in setting us apart as full time missionaries. Now we are truly eternal companions: 24/7!
Packing our bags was next on the agenda.
We will be in the Provo MTC for 2 weeks and will come home on the weekends. So we only had to pack 1 small suitcase each. The big packing will take place the 2nd weekend we are home.
Days now over and even with all the above words, I still cannot capture the feelings of today. My heart is full of gratitude for all my blessings, for all my friends, for all my family.
So, off to bed.
Report to the MTC tomorrow morning at 10 am headed for a new life of full time missionary service.
Today we role played with doing a follow up appointment with someone who had made a commitment of some sort. This TRC training, Training Resource Center, is great because we have the opportunity to share our testimony often when doing all this role play.
