McNabb Family Memories: A Little Bit Of Heaven

It's just as I imagine Heaven to be.....all your family gathered together.....a spiritual feeling of love for each other....I love it! This weekend it was Austin's "farewell". He was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting before leaving on his mission. Everyone gathered on Friday at our home. Griffin, Whitney, Caitlin, Ryan, Kalli, The Longs, and the Bjorn Trejo's, including Cort all came to spend the weekend with us. Saturday was so hot that we had to go to Ross Park swimming to cool off! We had a barbecue that evening. Sunday was a wonderful day. Austin gave an awesome talk. It was funny, touching and brought the Spirit into the meeting as he bore testimony. He talked about some of those who had helped him in "becoming" a missionary as Elder Bednar talked about in the Oct. 2005 conference. He told how his dad's commitment to Heavenly Father first was such an impact in his life. He talked about Chris Yost and how his example of service and being his home teaching companion for 5 years shaped his life. He got emotional as he talked about the McSpadden family and specifically Brad and how he had helped him as his Quorum advisor. He also shared how Griff had been such a good example to him and the trip to Colombia made such a big impression on him and how it made him want to serve a mission. He told of Nephi and Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon and how the scriptures prepared him. He bore such a sweet testimony. I have no doubt that he WANTS to serve a mission more than anything at this moment.

We had a big gathering for lunch after church. So many friends and family came to send Austin off. It was so fun. Later in the afternoon, Bill and I went with Austin to get his Patriarchal Blessing. President Finn, our previous Stake President, is the Patriarch. We love him so much so it was such a blessing to have him place his hands on Austin's head and be the mouth piece for Heavenly Father. I can't describe the Spirit and the strength of the blessing Austin received. All I can say is the veil was very thin and He must have been a very valiant spirit in the pre-existence. We are so blessed to have him as our son and as part of our family!

Kira was at Ross Park with her dad when we went to go swimming so she came over to say Hi!
Kira, Avi and Branson

Branson was so tired that he wouldn't get in the seat to come home. He rode like this all the way from the pool crying. It's a good thing we weren't too far from the pool.

While we were at the pool playing, the boys were hard at work at home building a fire pit.

Even Bill got in the action!

This is at the luncheon after Sacrament Meeting. The Watt family were very good friends of Austin.

Austin and Kalli....Oh! how he will miss his cute nieces.

The Trejo's and Langum's were so nice to come all the way for Utah to join us. Yes that is Alex in the background being goofy!

The Hall's slipped out of their ward to have a bite to eat.....along with the Williams/

We are blessed with the best family ever......Ashley, Gary and Mason

There he is again....We love Alex too and he is just like family.

Such great friends.....Doug and Stephanee Mower.

Austin loves Utah football and Coach Whit. He came to Austin's talk and Austin had to show him his "Ute" bedroom. These are two of Austin's favorite men.....His dad and Coach Whit.