Texas Style BBQ

Last night we had a Texas style BBQ in honor of Ally and her mission to Houston, Texas. So many great friends and wonderful family were able to come and share in the excitement of Ally going on a mission.

I got pretty emotional today as I thought of sweet Keri coming over to help do dishes and anything we needed yesterday (after spending a gazillion hours and energy putting on a wonderful, amazing Stake Women's Conference), Brenda and Kathy baking and bringing 12 doz. delicious cookies, Allison bringing over a yummy huge salad, Mary making 20lbs. of delicious BBQ pulled pork, Anthony and Krista cutting up tons of fresh fruit and Anthony even washing our windows, Jennie making the cutest invitations and the best guacamole ever and doing anything and everything that I needed, Amy and Margo being the biggest helpers ever, Lisa flying in on Friday to help cook (a lot), & clean and set up...I would have been lost without her!, Brad driving in from Utah just in time to set up tables and chairs, Steven helping and even washing more windows, all of the sweet cards, gifts and well wishes, and... everyone who came to give their love and support to Allyson and our whole family. (How was that for a run on sentence?) I am so grateful, so, so grateful for our dear friends and family. It was a wonderful, joy filled night and Ally truly felt loved and supported. She is really ready to go and serve a mission. She has talked about going on a mission since she was just a little girl. Ally is going to truly be an amazing missionary and touch many lives with her sincere, genuine love of the Savior and His Gospel. Serving others and loving unconditionally is who Ally is, and we couldn't be any prouder of her. We are going to miss her... ok, now the tears are really flowing... 18 months is a long time to go without seeing or being with our beautiful Ally. But, my heart is filled with a peace and a joy that can't really be explained with words. I know that she will be watched over and protected and that she will have experiences that will bless her life forever. I know that there are many out there in Texas who will love her and be touched by her and I know with out a doubt that she will love them and serve them with all her heart.
We all love you Ally...