The Triumphal Return!

Two years ago when our family took Chase to the parking garage at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, I was pretty sure I'd never see my boy again. I mean, in your head you know that two years will pass but in your heart you just can't imagine that it ever will.

It has been a wonderful two years. Yes, there have been some tougher weeks for Chase, and I'm sure he hasn't told us all the times things were hard. However, I feel I can safely say that he has never been happier in his life. He's grown so much, matured and developed so much. And it's been such a blessing to know, each and every day, that he has had a singular focus of serving and helping however he could.

In some ways, I wasn't quite ready for him to come home. I knew that transitioning away from missionary life was going to be hard. I knew that he'd miss a lot of things about being a missionary, and that he'd have to start really working hard to find his direction and focus on his own. But also, I just couldn't wait to get my arms around him for the best hug ever. 

The girls were pretty much levitating with excitement. As Troy and I were putting the bed together, they went balloon shopping and made a very cute poster:

Getting into the car and driving to the airport was a little surreal. And I was bizarrely nervous. My heart would not stop thumping.

I have never been to the welcoming area of the Salt Lake Airport before. What an experience! There were so many families gathered there, with similar signs and balloons and excitement. Buzzing with happy energy. We were so grateful to be joined by Sam and Kathleen. Kathleen very graciously took some photos and videos that I'm so grateful to have. And Troy's nephew Jake came and took photos as well. I was very relieved to not be worrying about grabbing photos. 

You could just feel it in the air when the missionaries were getting close. Everyone knew what time the planes were landing and we all started gathering near the gate. And guess who was the first missionary through the gate? That's right. Our Elder Preslar. Let the blubber fest begin. 

 

It really was the best hug I've ever had. Ever. And I took full advantage of hugging him while we were at the airport because I had this sneaking suspicion that the airport was the one place he'd put up with so much motherly affection.

 

 

 

Our dear friends the Moores also came - both of these wonderful young men currently have mission calls, miraculously both to the Philippeans. The younger, Tate, was leaving just a week after Chase got home and Ethan will be leaving early in December. They have been life-long friends.

 

This was truly one of the happiest moments of my life. I'm so grateful for the showers of blessings.

Oh I have to include these funny photos - Chase showed me these of his last day on his mission before he left his district of other missionaries to spend a day with the mission president.

And here's our very last phone call. As happy as I am to have him home, I miss our Monday chats just a little bit. I'm so proud of our guy. He did it.