What an AWESOME Adventure!!!!

Just as the flowers bloom at different times and in different stages, we all have a time and a place that is right for us to do important things in our lives. This was the right time for our mission, and it is hard to see it come to a close!  But we know it is the right time and  we are again in the right place!

     "To every man there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to him and fitted to his talent."
                        Sir Winston Churchill

     We both, Lonnie McOmber and Kathy McOmber have had that opportunity.  We can see how the Lord needed us in the GREAT California Long Beach Mission at this time and we needed this experience!  We feel it has been our privilege to serve the Lord, Mission Presidents and wives, missionaries and the people in the area.  As always, change is hard.  We had a hard time leaving home two years ago, and then had a hard time leaving our mission, but again, we know this is where we need to be at this time.  Next week there is going to be a new ward formed in our stake and we know it involves us, so there will be plenty of opportunities to serve.

This is our friend Joann from Long Beach.  Thank goodness for texting, we have continued to communicate.  Lonnie went back down to Long Beach.  He left 28 hours after we got home.  He went to pick up a 1947 Mercury 2 door old car.  My brother Bill went with him (from Nephi, UT).  He should be home any second! He has to be exhausted!

Saying "Good bye" to our many wonderful friends at the departure fireside. 

Our granddaughters, Maci and Avri were able to go to the departure fireside and took this picture of the missionaries present singing "We'll Bring the World His Truth". 

Our last morning there, I had my last check up at the VA hospital in Long Beach.  I am finding a doctor here to finish my treatments.  The one thing we will not miss is the traffic...not  at all!

Maci and Avri were able to ride home with us.  We did it in 2 days.  We read the book The Guardian by Gerald Lund out loud all the way home.  It started raining in Salt Lake City, then snow in northern Utah and all the way through Pocatello.  It was clear here in Rigby. 

Our family was very happy to see us home...they met us at the door with cheers, it was so wonderful!

We could not have done our mission without the support of many people, but especially Glen, Sara and kids; they managed all our "business" here at home.  I made this as a small token of thanks.

     We were release the night we got into town.  Our "new" Stake President, our friend, George Olaveson, asked what was the best part of our mission, we couldn't shut up....there were so many wonderful parts of our mission.  We could have gone on all night! 

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I went by my Labor and Delivery work to see my friends.  I was welcomed with open arms, made me cry, I appreciate them so much!  This is one of my friends, Lori.

I was able to go to watch my granddaughter, Miranda (#15),  play volleyball between General Conference sessions.  She gave me what I consider a HUGE compliment.  She asked what conference was about and I was telling her what was said in the morning session, she said "You still sound like a missionary!" 
This is another blessing of being home, being able to watch all the grandkids sports.

A successful spike!

Since we do not have cable or internet at our home yet, we watched General Conference at Glen and Sara's home with our grandkids.  These are their worksheets. 

Maci and I taking notes.

I would like to close this Memoir with  a 4th verse that an Elder in our mission wrote for "We'll Bring the World His Truth".  This verse is by Elder Alexander Richie 2012-2013
We have the faith,
That God will provide.
The children who which,
The spirit will drive.
Praying by day,
And working till night,
We'll conquer battles
And win the fight. 
We are as the Army of Heleman
Di-sciples called since our youth.
Long Beach, Ca-li!
Sing praises to our God
As we bring the world His Truth.

Carol M Stephens in the Oct 2013 General RS Meeting said:
     " When you love, watch over, and serve others in small and simple ways, you are actively participating in the work of salvation, God’s work “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” 
WHAT A SPECIAL PRIVELEGE AND ADVENTURE!!!