Setting Apart

What a beautiful evening!

We had a lovely family gathering in our living room...our family, Britanee, Brian & girls, Ashlee & Steven, Grandma Haymond, Grandpa Haymond & Janis, Bishop Lee, and President Bowen.  President Bowen talked with us a little about some of the promised blessings given to those who serve missions valiantly, he had Colby read those to us from a talk by President Hinckley, I believe, in 1995.  He then set Colby apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to serve in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, and then pronounced upon Colby a beautiful blessing.  He encouraged us to remember the things mentioned in the blessing, and to write them down afterwards.  He blessed Colby with health and strength, with protection - that NO harm or accident would befall him while he served.  He blessed him to take the "high road" with his companions, and to be a peacemaker.  So many wonderful things, that i can't even recall.  We did come up with a list as we nibbled on our ice cream, which we wrote down and will send with Colby.  President Bowen has a wonderful spirit about him, and we are so grateful we were able to meet together in our home.

After the setting apart, President Bowen excused himself, then turned the time over to anyone who would care to share their testimony and/or thoughts and feelings with Colby.  It was nice to sit and listen to family testimonies, those shared by grandparents, brother-in-laws, and David and I.  I was proud of myself, I held it together pretty well.  Colby stood, and shared his testimony with us as well...he also has a sweet spirit about him.  He thought this day would never come, and now here it is!  He remembered being an insignificant deacon, who wasn't sure how to pass the sacrament, and now he's an elder, ready to share the gospel.  He's ready.  President Bowen mentioned that, too.  He's seen many a young man in his office, and Colby is one of the few that are truly ready to serve.

Colby left with me last night his "last will and testament" along with all his usernames & passwords.  I have instructions on how he would like to expand his city in Cityville on Facebook.  He bequeathed his laptop to Britanee, his cell phone to Austyn, and his iphone as an ipod to Linzi.  She's already filled it with games.  He'll be thrilled when he gets home =)  Now to get through tomorrow...

ps. his drivers license arrived today, so we won't have to worry about sending that out to him.  whew! One less thing...