"The Farewell"

Today, May 15th 2011, Dallin gave his farewell talk in church.  It's really not a farewell talk, but I don't know what else to call it.  The program was AWESOME.  I really can't think of a better describing word for it.  DeWitt gave the first talk, then Dallin and then a High Coucelor.  Scott gave the opening prayer and I gave the closing prayer.  DeWitt talked about service and how that is the basis of our religion.  He talked of the things that the church does for disaster relief.  He talked about Joseph Smith and how much service he gave, even his own life.  He talked about Jesus Christ, and the service he gave, even his own life, for each one of us.  He talked of missionary work and how that is service, and he closed with his testimony and then expressed his love for Dallin and thanked him for his good example.  Dallin's talk was his testimony.  When he first started he said that he has been working on this talk for the past few days, and then he changed and said, no, I've been working on this talk since I was little.  He said he knew he would be here at this spot in his life and so he has been preparing for a long time.  He talked on the basics of the gospel and then told how that was his testimony.  He talked of Priorities and how we should not get caught up in the worldly things.  He then told that these are good priorities... family, and how that was the central plan.  He talked of friends and the importance of good friends.  He talked of the scriptures, and the Book of Mormon, and how they have been such an important part of his life.  He talked of having the spirit with us, and how we can recognize the spirit.  He talked about Joseph Smith and how the restoration took place.  He talked of Jesus Christ and how he died for every sin, for Alma the Younger's and the Son's of Moshiah's, as well as his and all of ours.  He gave each of us a challenge to keep our priorities in check.  He said that if every soul was important to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, then it is our responsibility to go and find and teach those who need the gospel, and that is what he is doing!  The spirit was so strong.  It was wonderful.  I was so proud.  Both boys have lived their lives in a way that is in accordance with the spirit and they are both ready to serve.  What a joy it is to be a mother of such fine people.

The after "farewell" luncheon.  We had about 60 people, and a ton of food.  Thank you to my sisters and sister in law and mom an dad and to sherry for helping.  No way could I have done this on my own.  I love my whole family.  I do think that it was a huge success.  The whole day was Awesome!

Esther, Jeremy, and Erika.  Both of these families drove down from Mesa and we appreciated it so very much.

This picture was taken last night at our BBQ.  Stetson, Stephanie, Dallin, Joel, and Levi, Docker and Crew not pictured.  Joel's family also drove down from Mesa, thank you, they had to leave right after church to get to some stake meetings, so I knew that I wouldn't be able to get a picture on Sunday. 

Brice and Jody.  Love the support we get from the locals

Taz and Kathy, also came from the Mesa area.  They also brought their whole family.  Thank you

Rylie and Lillian

Ammah Jones and Dallin.  Friends since early childhood.

Dallin talking to Grandma Sherry.  I'm so sad that it is blurry, because it really is such a cute shot

Dallin with the Alder family.  Tony, Rylie, Rachel, Isabel, Camille, Brinlee, and Chugga, I mean Luke, who will be baptized next week.

Dallin with the Burnham's Brice, Sterling, Karlie, and hmmm Brig is not in the picture, but he was there.  Also from the Mesa area.

Dallin with the Biggs family.  Erika, Hayden, Tayte, Reygan, Jeremy, Daynen, and Ellie.  They are from the Mesa area, thank you for coming.

Dallin with the Browns.  Shad, Bridger, Marlie, Harrison, Esther, Soren and Brody is at Grandma's asleep.  Also from the Mesa area, thank you so much for coming.

Dallin with the Palmer family.  Afton, Jordan, Jennie, and Sadie.  Also from the Mesa area

Dallin with the Lunt family.  Braden, Brooke, Nicole, and Brielle (6 days old) and Jarom, at a meeting, but came.

Dallin with the what do I say......the fun crowd.  Keith, Alyssa, and Olivia, also from the Mesa area.

Dallin with his own family.  Allison, Polly, Rebecca, Lillian Scott, and DeWitt

Dallin with the Jones family.  Ammah, Andaline, Amelia, Shannon, and Dave.  Shannon is my childhood friend, and now both of our kids are all friends.  They came down from the Mesa area.  Thank you so much.

DeWitt, Kyla Woodward, and Erika

Rebecca and Lindsay

Lillian and Mary, I think they are figuring out a way to sneak outside and get some mints from the treasure box.

Just some of the activities going on during the luncheon.

Dallin and Grandma Sherry

I'm not sure how this happened, but I didn't get a picture of Mary's whole family so I used the one from when they were here for the reading of the call.  Love you guys.

Dallin, mom, and Allison

Grandma Sherry, Allison, Brice, and Nicole

Grandpa and Grandma Biggs.  They weren't actually there during the luncheon, because they had to choose between two great things to be at, and they had already committed to being at Bethany's graduation in Nebraska.  I know how torn they were, and they were here totally in spirit so I had to add a picture of them with Dallin.


Thank you so much to everybody for coming and making this such a memorable day for Dallin.  It was perfect!