Linny's Home!!

How excited we are! Linny came home yesterday. I started out yesterday morning getting on the Delta airlines website to see if she was, indeed, on her way home....only to be saddened to see that her flight was delayed. I checked often....even downloading the website to my phone so I could be sure to know when she would arrive. I can't believe how excited I was to see her face...hear her voice....see her smile...and receive her hugs! The hours were stretched out...and with the delays in her flight....the day seemed as if it would never pass. Finally!!! 3 PM....when we had decided to head to the airport (what if by some slip...she flew in early...like Rich did?) We got to the airport...Bonnie and Larry were already there...evidently their thoughts were just like ours...what if she gets here early...someone needs to be here! The only detour in going to the airport was stopping to pick up a few balloons to welcome her. We arrived..and then Steve, Lisa and the girls arrived. We waited anxiously...watching the other families with posters, balloons and flowers, welcoming their missionaries home. Only in Utah!! I always wonder what people think when they come down those escalators and see all the excited faces...hearing the cheers....seeing the greetings. We made our way to the very bottom of the escalator....her plane had landed! She was here...now we just had to look for her! We waited for what surely was an eternity (did she stop at every bathroom???....or stop to shop???) Finally, Finally! There she is!!! There's that smile. The tears welled up in my eyes and I had to turn away. Kaity was crying....we were all cheering. This must be what it's like on the other side! 18 months....18 long/short and life changing months. My girl...my Sister Harold....my Linny was home. Can words ever express how proud I am of her. How much I love her. I much I respect her decision to serve a mission. How she truly makes my face smile and my heart sing. Linny's home!

Feelings

We had a wonderful day at the MTC today. The missionaries are incredible. Their spirits lift, amaze and inspire me. I cannot think of a more beautiful way to spend time...than with these amazing young men and women. I knew that my life had changed forever...at least in the way I have always thought of the missionary program....when it was on the news earlier this week that two missionaries serving in one of the Russian countries, had died in their apartment from a gas leak. I knew I had changed, when I heard the story, and tears streamed down my face. I had never met these two young men, but their lives had touched mine. I know what praying for the missionaries means, now. I know what praying for their families, means. I know, that through their example, they have completed their missions...they truly touched and changed lives. Mine was one of them.

I went over to Karon Oldroyd's tonight to go over a Relief Society invitation that we are working on. Her sweet daughter-in-law, took the burden off of us and designed and printed the program. Karon told me about a tragedy that has impacted her family. Her brother's grandson accidently, at this point, almost drowned, in the bathtub. Karon told me about the blogspot where the family is keeping everyone updated about this little guy's progress. I read it and was touched by the honesty and heartfelt words that the sweet Mom, Sara, wrote. I don't think there is a mom around who hasn't turned her back on her child for a moment. For most of us, life goes on and everything is normal....in some instances, like this one, life is forever changed in the blink of an eye. http://stakerzxposedblogspot.com. It is heart wrenching to read her story...it's inspiring to read about the faith she and her family have...and it is wonderful to know that Heavenly Father is aware and in control. I need to thank Karon for directing me to her blog. I will follow it with a hopeful heart for a speedy recovery for their little one.