I woke up early because I had my final interview with my stake president at 8:30. The rest of the morning was spent getting ready and practicing my talk. We got to the church half an hour early and waited for the meeting to start. It was another Elder's homecoming, so we were expecting a full house. After the meeting started, nearly all the seats were packed. We couldn't use the triple overflow because the ward before us had their 3rd hour meeting in there. Some people even had to listen in the foyer!
Elder Mccolm spoke before me and he did a great job in inviting the spirit. My cousin, Dave, sang a beautiful missionary song called 'I Will Not Be Still' (listen to it at end of this post). It was hard to try and maintain my composure with a song so close to my heart, but I did it.
I got up to the podium and gave my talk, which was about doing hard things. It was perfect for me, because I've been feeling worried and inadequate about the work that I have to do. I talked a little bit about how God will never forsake His children during trials, even when you feel alone and I shared a personal experience about feeling alone in the middle of a trial. After my talk, the bishop got up and had me stand. He said something like, "If you're going to pray for Sister Squire, will you please stand?" Nearly the whole congregation stood up (well, everyone except the people who didn't know me). Bishop said, "See Sister? Take a mental picture of this. When you're out in Argentina and you feel like you're forgotten and alone, remember this picture, and remember that there are people here who love you and will be praying for you". That was probably my favorite part of the whole day. I felt so loved!
When I finally made it home, there was a line to get into my house out the door! I was hugged, congratulated, and took so many pictures. I have such a great support system of family, friends, and ward members. There was around 200+ people who came out to see me and I couldn't feel more grateful and humbled that so many people love and care about me. I had a warm and happy heart all day!
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| Study abroad gal pals. |
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| Beautiful cousins (in-law?) |
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| My handsome Dunn boys |
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| The best guys around. Watch out, ladies. |
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| G-ma, g-pa and great aunts and uncles! |
Ah, can you feel the love? Thank you to everyone who came. It meant the world to me.
Gonna miss you baby girl. But I am so incredibly proud of you.
ReplyDeleteThe days are going by too quickly.
Love you, oh so very much.
Mama
AHH! You're killing me Cydnee. Just killing me. I have known about your choice to go on a mission for so many months...since just before you got your call in the fall - and even way back when you got your patriarchal blessing - I just knew you were going to go. It seemed so far away - and now it's here, and I don't feel ready to let you go! If I didn't know how amazing this experience was going to be for you I think I'd follow you to the MTC and hold onto your skirt and just never let you go :). I am going to miss you oh so much, but I am so happy for you and so very, very proud of you. You are ready. I felt that so strongly during your talk. You are ready. This work is so important. You are going to be an outstanding missionary. You have so much support and love. I know you will feel it. But know that your family will be praying for you by name each and every day. And millions throughout the world will be praying for the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in His temples and in His churches and in their homes. You are truly blessed and your Father in Heaven is well pleased. I love you my dear sweet niece.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you Cyd! You did an amazing job on your talk and you will be an excellent missionary. You will definitely be in our prayers, and don't worry Emily won't forget you as long as you remember to send pics for your mom to post-you know she loves those. :) It was really great spending time with y'all and we are so proud of you and can't wait to see all of the amazing things you are going to do. We love you very much!
ReplyDeletemmmmmhm. I am so sad that I missed this. I sure love you dear. You bring tears to my eyes already :)
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