The parking garage was full when we arrived and Dan had to drop us off and take a shuttle from the long term parking. We were surprised to find dozens of groups of families and friends all waiting at the bottom of the escalators holding signs-all there united in one purpose...to welcome home their missionaries. The airport security actually set up ropes to make sure that a path stayed clear for other travelers.
It was an amazingly good sight to behold! My heart swelled and I shed tears as we watched groups of missionaries turn the corner and descend down the escalators toward their families. Cheers rose each time someone spotted their missionary and excitement/anticipation filled the air. Some ran down the stairs, others took in the sight slowly descending-emotion spreading across their faces. Mothers-stepped out from behind the rope to embrace their "babies" that they have missed, worried about, supported, yearned for, prayed for- for two years. One mom even ran to her tall lanky son and jumped into his arms-both crying and rejoicing.
This was a scene of such love, sacrifice, joy, celebration, and pride. It struck me at that moment how wonderful our church is and how wonderful each of you are to leave all that you know and love and go and serve-sometimes in places that are foreign in many different ways-and in situations that are uncomfortable and extremely hard. You wear your heart on your sleeve as some say-baring something that is so precious to you and a big part of who you are-for all to see and criticize, or judge you for, in hopes of finding the few who are searching. You change Lives!
Our Church is one who sends missionaries out to find and save souls-and I am proud that I am a member and a supporter of such an organization. It is a sincere act of love for your fellow men.
And finally when Mason was the one to descend the stairs, I watched as he embraced his mother and brother and sister-all the young cousins surrounding them in a hug-some not quite sure what was going on-but they were happy that a member of our family was joining us once again. He did it-and he served with all he had-I felt his spirit and goodness-his tiredness from all his hard work as I hugged him. Well done....you did it....is all I could utter.
I am grateful for you and what you are doing-I know you are giving your all each day. You are making a difference. "With God on our side, we cannot fail."
A theme that I liked in the talks given in General Conference-stems off that statement...It stuck out to me that with God we can become something so much more and so much greater than what we could ever imagine. He can make our weaknesses strong. We are destined for greatness. We just need to live righteously and allow his spirit to lead us in the direction we need to go to grow and become. We shoudln't let fear (Satan tell us we can't, we aren't good enough, we are of no worth-that is the hard part). overshadow us.
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