Farewell to Ally.....

I have been writing about the early Christmas we had with Ally before she left for her mission. I wrote about November 26th and 27th.

November 28th was Sunday. Ally spoke in church that day. I was so happy to have many family members join with us to hear her speak. Riley, Emilee and Kaitie were planning to sing "I Believe in Christ," that day as well. I packed tissues galore because I thought I would cry and cry.

The musical number turned out nicely. It was sad that it had to go on without Emilee. She had been so sick over the weekend that her voice was shot. My sister Natalie sang alto in her place. Riley sang her solo part clearly. I was so pleased. She was reluctant when we first started to practice. Kaitie sang the soprano beautifully. I am not bragging...just stating.

I was proud of Ally as she gave her talk. She spoke with grace and confidence. I wondered how she became this amazing young woman. I was nothing like that at her age. She seemed so ready to go and take on all the challenges of a mission.

As it turned out, I only cried once during the meeting. It was during the blessing of a baby, who is unrelated to my family. Strange? Yes. Well, but it took me back. A little baby girl was being blessed. This little girl is the second child in her family. The first child is a sweet little blond boy. Like I said, it took me back. When Ally was blessed, 23 years ago, that is what my family looked like. I can't even describe the emotion involved. It's not like I want Ally to be a baby again.

After church, the family group gathered again at our house. It was time for food, and then some goodbyes...

Here are just a few of the pictures of family members who were here with us:

There will be a new cousin for Ally to meet when she comes home.

Speaking of cousins....

Ally wanted a picture with all the kids.  Here she is with her sisters and cousins.  This is not all the grandchildren in the family, but nearly....

Monday and part of Tuesday, we packed and packed some more.  It was hard to fit everything she needed into her suitcases.  We ended up shopping for bigger suitcases.  

Tuesday afternoon, Jeff, Ally, Emilee, Riley and I took off for Phoenix.  Kaitie stayed home because she was in a play that was opening that weekend.  

First stop for us on Tuesday evening was the home of Ally's stake president in the Phoenix area.  He was the church leader Ally worked with to prepare for this mission.  They met off and on for months.  It was our first time to meet him.  He was everything she had told us.  He was warm and kind, and seemed so genuinely happy to see her again.  While we were at his home, he gave her a blessing....we call that being set apart.  It was so beautiful and comforting.  At that time, Ally was considered officially to be a missionary.  (I regret not taking a picture that evening.)

After Ally was set apart, we headed for a hotel near the airport.  Ally's flight was leaving at 7:00 the next morning.  While the rest of us tried to get some rest, Ally visited with a friend....one of her very best ones.

These two have known and loved each other for a long time, and certainly always will.

Here are the girls in the lobby of the hotel in the predawn.  I was trying to be cheerful, and wondering how I was going to hold it together.  Airports are terrible.  Saying goodbye is terrible. 

Doing all this in the predawn is terrible...and you are uglier than usual while you are doing it.  Well, that was the case for me anyway.  We took a few pictures, and they are well....terrible/unsharable.

At the airport we saw other families with LDS missionaries, but they were all boys.  They were so easy to spot.  A young man in a suit, parents close by, lots of tired kids, and lots of pictures being taken. 

We said goodbye at security and watched her until we couldn't see her anymore.  We held it together pretty well.  I didn't want to burden Ally by being over emotional.  Riley handled that area all by herself.  After we said goodbye, Jeff and I took the girls to the airport Starbucks for hot chocolate.  Riley was smiling soon.  I texted Ally a picture of Riley smiling and it made her feel a lot better.  Yes, Ally still had her phone at that time.  Missionaries don't carry personal cell phones, but she kept hers for the trip, so we were in contact until she actually entered the Missionary Training Center. 

 

We figured out which plane was Ally's, and we watched it until it was completely out of sight.  Since we were texting, we knew which window to wave to...

In Utah, Ally was picked up by another one of her very best friends.  Her friend delivered her to the MTC, and then mailed Ally's cell phone to me. 

Here is Ally as a missionary.  They travel in twos, you know.  This was her companion in the MTC.  

Now, Ally is in California.  You can follow her adventures at http://allyinarcadia.blogspot.com/