Random Pictures from Family, Friends, & Strangers!

Warning, this is a total Mom Post 😉!

Emily has only been in New York for a little over a month now, but I've been surprised by how many people are kind enough to take the time to take pictures of my sweet daughter after she's taken them on a tour or run into her in the visitors centers.  They write special little comments and text them to me (or someone in my family), and what a thrill each one is to receive randomly throughout my week!  

Just this morning, our family was sitting in my brother's ward in Cedar Hills, listening to my niece speak at her mission farewell, when Jacob received this text and picture from a high school friend: 

The Smarts' other daughter, Catherine, was a good friend of Emily's from her years in Orchestra at AFHS.  Catherine is serving a mission in Virginia right now so wasn't with them, but how fun to connect with the family!

It's so gratifying to see something instantaneous and know what she's doing, what she's wearing, which site she's at that day, etc.  

I thought it would be fun to share what I've received so far.  Each one is like a ray of sunshine to me!!


This next one was one of the first ones we received from Emily's "other mother," Marianne Jenson.  Emily had roomed with her bestie Emylee Jenson and her sister, Jessica, her freshman year at BYU, and Jessica then married Tanner this past year, whose grandparents are serving at the sites.  The grandparents texted this to Jessica who texted it to her Mom who texted it to me!  Did you follow all that?  It's a wonderful crazy world!

A great couple from our stake, Grant & Chris Ellingson,
 texted us on May 20 to say they were in Fayette and had met our daughter there.  

My brother, Brian, sent this May 25.  One of his high school friends, Sarah Archibald Wilford, had been visiting the sites, and Pocatello, Idaho, came up.  Emily said her mom had grown up there and she had grandparents still there.  Come to find out, she knew Brian quite well, so she sent this to him, along with the picture of her "in action" below :)

This was from a random stranger on May 28.  No idea who she is, but such a gift nonetheless!

May 31 from another total stranger.  She didn't say her name or where she is from, but she said "Look who we were just with.  She is darling and a powerful missionary you should be proud."  

My heart just fills with joy to see my daughter smiling--just radiating her pure goodness and love for the restored gospel!  Bless all these people for sharing!  I am so blessed to be Emily's mom!