One Chapter Ends And Another Begins

Last week I shared five blogs that each gave clips from different emails we had received from our daughter during her 18 month mission. I hope you all enjoyed hearing the life lessons she shared in those emails. Today was the final event of her 18 month journey – she gave a homecoming talk at church today and the room was filled with neighbors, family, and tons of friends who all came to hear her speak. She gave an amazing talk filled with powerful messages about how she learned what it truly means to be a representative of Jesus Christ at all times, and in all places. Her talk was incredibly inspiring. Following her talk my husband, who serves as the choir director of our ward, led the choir in an absoultely incredible musical number. The Spirit in the meeting was so powerful and all who were present could feel that. Following the meeting we had a big open house back at our home. The number of people who attended was unbelievable…I don’t know the exact count but we went through 780 water bottles at the open house! So yeah…it was a LOT of people nad Ashley is definitely a very loved young lady…I just feel blessed to be her Mom.

What an amazing journey this has been for Ashley and for our entire family. But with today’s homecoming celebration being behind us now I can’t help but recognize that this chapter of our lives has ended….and its time for the next chapter to begin. I can’t wait to see what amazing things lie ahead of us. And nothing makes me happier than being able to look forward to it with my incredible family that has all been reunited, and even better, has grown by one more. Family is everything!!! And the best is yet to come!!!

I thought where all of you have shared in hearing so much about her experiences the last year and a half and especially the last week, that it would only be fitting to post some pictures for all of you to see of her arriving back home at the Salt Lake Airport last week.