WOW!! What a big day... all packed into 24 hours. Today was Abby's farewell. As she was trying to work out which Sunday might work best, Bishop Zollinger told her Father's Day was open. It was 2+ weeks before she left and would give us time for a family vacation, so Father's day it was. It was perfect!
Abby asked Sophie to sing "Come Thou Fount" at her farewell. Sophie has a beautiful voice but she had never sung in public before. Some days Sophie would say she was singing, others she would change her mind. Singing by herself was looking less like it would work. So we asked Jenn Rudder if she would sing with Sophie. Lucky for us she said she would. For weeks they practiced. Nano even offered to play the piano which was a shock to us all, but more so to Blake and Jenn. Blake was Nano's bishop for three years and Jenn was in her ward at the same time, but neither of them knew she could play. It was a very well-kept secret!!!
Yesterday, we went to the elementary school to set up. We scheduled the school to have a luncheon after Abby's farewell. Abby, Nan, Pop, Soph, Livy and I got the tables decorated and everything ready for today. It looked beautiful and we were relieved to have that part done.
Our Sacrament meeting was at 11:00 a.m. so it gave us time to get a few extra things done at the school before heading to the church. Since Sophie was singing she didn't want to walk up in front of many people (I didn't have the heart to tell her it would be very crowded,) we sat on the second row... we NEVER sit this close. It was nice because we had a great view of Abby and we could smile at her while she was seated on the stand.
Sophie, Jenn and Nano did an amazing job on their song; their practice definitely paid off!!! Then it was Abby's turn, she gave such a wonderful talk about when she knew and consequently decided she was supposed to serve a mission. The spirit was so strong and she didn't look scared. There were people all the way back to the back wall of the cultural hall. She bore a powerful testimony and she will be an AWESOME missionary.
After Sacrament meeting was done Abby stayed and talked to people who had to leave and couldn't come to the school. The rest of us ran over to the school and finished last minute things before we feed everyone. Family and friends joined us at there for delicious food and visiting.
It was a PERFECT day shared with everyone!
Since I love pictures here is her farewell day in photos.
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| Abby with Nan and Pop |
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| Abby and Grandma Call |
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| Abby and The Congers |
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| Abby with Andrew, LaShel and Family |
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| Abby with Ryan, Ruth and Family (photo bomb Miles) |
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| Abby with Grandma and Gramps |
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| Abby with Trent, Shelley and Christian |
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| Abby with The Grange Family |
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| Abby with Berm, Jamee and Family |
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| Abby with The Simmons Family |
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| Abby with Steve & Roxanne Bilboa |
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| Abby with Rod & Lisa Ellis and Meagan (soon to be Mortenson) and Jake |
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| Abby with Jorrien (Pedro) & Tiera Peterson |
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| Abby with Austin Truman & Colby Campbell |
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| The 3 Amigos (Abby, Nano & Sophie) |
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| Abby with Cindy and Nano Norris |
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| Abby with high school friends |
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| Abby with Demree Page |
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| Abby and Tyrone |
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| Abby and Emilee Madsen |
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| Abby and cousin Heather |
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| Abby and "Grandma" Launi Grange |
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| Abby and Dianna Kartchner |
Some fun candid photos with Sophie and Tonna... what can I say?
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Fruit bouquet made by Debbie Anderson,
Abby's 4th grade teacher and family friend
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