Our First Night Home After a Long Day

We arrived home on September 22 and this is our wonderful friend and apparently our driver for the evening. We have come home from our Mission and Don McClelland and his wife Sharon drove to the airport to pick us up. They are such good frinds. He acted the part of a limo driver (like from a Casino) with our name on a placard. Pretty cute! Jamie and her children came too. Grandma and Grandpa (Elder and Hermana Whitaker) with Jenna (right) and Madee (left) giving BIG hugs to us as we came down the escaltor. I waited for those hugs for a long time! They were very worth it too.

This is Tucker, he was only about 9 months old when we left. We did not know if he would recognize us, but Jamie and Brandon have photographs of us and they talked to the children about us quite a bit. Jamie said that the girls even talked about us in their Primary classes. They said they were proud of us for going to a far country. Tucker ran right into my arms with a huge grin on his face. It was great to know that we was not afraid of a "stranger."

This is what we looked like after many hours on planes and waiting in 2 different airport with little to eat, and not much sleep either; not to bad for the wear. Just glad to be back in Las Vegas. I am sure it will take a few days for it to settle in that we are really home. Richard (Elder) will have his appointment with the Dr. about his ankle in 2 days then we will schedule his surgery and he will be on his way to be whole again. It has taken quite a while, but it will be fine.

When we got back to our home, Jamie just wanted a photo with us. She has been such a help and support. All our children are wonderful about our service! Not that it is easy for them but they understand that they too are blessed as we serve. We are very grateful to all of them as well as many of our friends from Ward and Stake.

This is the home we were happy to came home to. Our front porch has this wonderful sign that says "an angel protects our home." We believe this. Angels of many sizes and ages cared for our home. Members of our family, ward members and the "Angels" who watch over the Lord's Missionaries. They all watched over our home with love and care, we are grateful for them. We came home to things we had forgotten we had; carpets, furniture and belongings in great condition, almost better than when we left our home. It is hard to leave the full time the Mission, where you are in service of the Lord and many others, but I must admit it is good to be home. The most difficult part is that we had to leave the Mission so quickly and just one week after we arrived home, Elder W. had his ankle surgery. It was very successful, but HE IS NOT good at recovery. He is having a very hard time being STILL, especially after being so busy for so long. But he will mend and be better then ever (watch out everyone.)

Many changes have taken place since we left in July of 2007. Our son Richard and his family have moved to Texas. They are very happy there and that is a wonderful thing, his work is good, the family is happy, the schools for the children are good. Many blessings.

Our Stake realigned the boundries AGAIN, so we came home to a new Ward, Anthem Ward. We don't know many members of our new ward, but WE WILL. It won't take long.

Although we are happy to be back in our own home and I can work in my garden (which is my love), we look forward to again serve when and where the Lord needs us. We pray our family will understand that we realize all we can do is give of ourselves in return for the blessings given to us through the gift and blessing of our Savior Jesus Christ. All we have comes from the Father, all we have to give in return is our service and love to others.

Love to you all, until I write again,

Hermana Whitaker