Home At Last! Home At Last!

My parents made it home from their mission in Japan. I know that my family was directly blessed because of their service. I will forever be grateful for their example. Some days it felt like time was flying, other days---it felt like 18 years! They were missed and I was so happy to see them (via FaceTime) coming down the escalators in the Salt Lake City airport. My favorite part was watching my mom run down the last few steps to hug those grandkids. She's been waiting a long time for those hugs!

I was tracking their flight from Tokyo to Seattle and then the final leg from Seattle to Salt Lake City. I learned later, that several of my brothers were doing the exact same thing. I may have played Neil Diamond's, "They're coming to America!!! Today!!" a few times in celebration of the big day.

Pictures are grainy, but I was so happy to see them, even via FaceTime!

When each of my brothers returned home from their missions, my dad would fly the flag from where they served. Tom, carried on this tradition and flew the Japan flag for my parents' welcome home. It was interesting on the texting thread with my brothers to hear the emotions they felt when seeing the American flag after serving their missions. I pray that our country will come together and realize the blessings of living underneath our flag of the United States of America. That's as political as I will get-especially when I'm celebrating my parents coming home after 18 months!

Welcome home mom and dad, grandpa and grandma! We love you and have missed you!