29 October 2023
VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 527
Caleb returning home from his mission
I arrived home on the 27th of October—Mom’s birthday. Reuniting with my family was amazing. I remember walking through the airport not knowing when I was going to see them all. But as I walked through some automatic doors I got the lovely surprise of seeing them! I gave everyone hugs and we headed home.
It's been weird being home. I feel like it's right where I'm supposed to be, but due to some of my leg problems I haven't been able to do much. So I've pretty much been relaxing and resting a lot, but also looking for some productive things that I can do to feel accomplished and to progress. I love my family and I'm so happy to be here!
Family at airport waiting for Caleb’s return
This is has been super busy getting stuff ready for Caleb. It crazy that it's been two whole years. Time has flown by really fast.
On Tuesday I went to Night Stalkers with Riley, Carson, Bri at like around 8 PM. The line is normally long but this time it was walk ins. It was not too scary this time, but I got scared more by Riley. After we finished we dropped off Carson and Bri, I went to Riley's house and watched a show.
Children with Ashtons at Dunford after temple
Wednesday, we had a morning temple trip with the Ashtons our cousins. We met up at the temple, and after we were finished we talked and got doughnuts at Dunford’s. Later Monte and I went out to lunch with Aiden and Jack at Wendy's. It was nice talking and spending some time with them. It helped me to get my mind off of a few things that were going on. That night, Riley came over and we watched the fourth Harry Potter movie.
Thursday I finally finished my outfit for Sadie’s after going to the store a few times to get what I needed to get. Monte helped me a little to pick it out.
Monte and Gloria with Aiden and Jack
Caleb's finally came home! I was starting to get emotional when I was looking out of the window and watching the planes come. After waiting a while we saw that his plane was at the gate, and we started to line up where they enter after they get off the planes.
Once we saw Caleb and got hugs we went home and had lunch. It was also Mom's birthday so we celebrated.
Caleb returning home from his mission
Caleb is home! I honestly can’t express how excited I have been for him to be back, and now that he is, it just feels right.
It is so unique seeing a younger sibling serve. As a kid you see older siblings come and go, and that’s just how it is, then when it came for me to serve, it changes how you see that experience.
Caleb is such an example to me, and I’m excited for him to be back.
Caleb returning home from his mission
This week I have been doing a lot of school, and I've had a break from Hale Center Theater rehearsal's. I have three classes for my first semester in my senior year, so it's pretty easy, and I've been working on US Government, Reading for Pleasure, and Young Adult Literature.
I've especially been working on government, and bringing it up to an A-, because it's at a B+. I've been doing a good job on it too, and I won't move on, until I get a 90% or higher on every quiz and every assignment. Sometimes I won't move on until I get a 100% because those move my grades up significantly.
Joanna in Minnie Mouse costume
Caleb came home this week. At first when he came back it felt weird because I have not seen him in two years. Trying to figure out what to talk about was really hard.
When we got home we ate Panda, and then some of the Olders went with him to get released. It was also Mom’s birthday and so her birthday present was Caleb coming home!
Eating Panda Express after Caleb’s return
Caleb's home! It's been amazing having him back. It's crazy that he's actually here, I just can't believe it! For lunch we had Panda Express to celebrate him coming home. When Mom and Dad asked him what he wanted for lunch, that’s what he chose.
We talked about his mission and his experiences all afternoon, it's crazy that he's been gone for two years!
We watched an episode of Monk to finish off the day. It was a pretty funny episode. I'm so glad you're back, Caleb!
Caleb returning home from his mission
This week Caleb came back! We picked him up at the airport and I am so excited and almost everyone is here.
Right as Caleb came we all shouted and greeted him home. I cried a little because it has been two years since he was home, and now he is home!
His leg was hurting so they took him to a chiropractor after he got home. He also has a doctor’s appointment for next week.
Family playing new game Endia bought
At one of my midwife appointments recently they took some of my blood to check my glucose levels. They were a little off, so this week I had to go in and do a three-hour glucose lab where I got my blood drawn four times, with an hour between each draw. I also had to go in fasting. It was not a fun experience at all, but all the labs ended up coming back normal so that was good.
Caleb is home! Cougar finally got to meet Caleb in person, and it was so good to be with him again. Cougar has written and talked with him since we have been married, but being able to finally meet him in person and for me to see them meet was awesome. Welcome home, Caleb!
Caleb returning home from his mission
What a happy day it was to have Caleb honorably return from his mission. Despite the fact that Mom and I were aware of his leg problems, when we saw him hobble off the plane, the severity of his pain and discomfort became more apparent, and it immediately became a little more clear for me what he has been through over the past few months.
On the Sunday after he came home, he spoke in the 5th Ward, which was the first time he attended that ward, since we switched our records to the 5th Ward while he was on his mission. I was also asked to speak. I’d like to share a couple thoughts from my talk:
“I have a photo of worn-out shoes that I took in the last few months of my mission. My missionary children are all familiar with it. A few months before Caleb returned from his mission, I sent it to him, along with an accompanying quote from President Kimball to Gordon B. Hinckley: ‘Gordon, my life is like my shoes—to be worn out in service.’ (see 23 July 2023 newsletter).
Caleb’s worn-out shoes (July 2023)
“For five or six months, my son limped along with an injured leg. All that time, he continued to work, despite almost continuous pain. Every once in a while he spoke of his leg pain, but he spent much more time sharing the successes he and his companion were having in the branch where he served. Caleb talked about the people they were teaching, and the baptisms—almost one a week at one point.”
I should note here that Caleb’s mission president shared with Mom and I that when Caleb arrived in that branch, only three members of the branch attended church. When Caleb left Los Sauces, more than 30 were attending. Caleb’s mission president added that all of this happened while Caleb was dealing with several significant challenges, including missionary companions, and of course, his leg problems. Back to my talk:
“There is a saying in sports that I like. I frequently share it with my children: ‘Leave it all on the court.’ Caleb, my son, you truly left it all on the court. During my mission, I wore out my shoes in the service of the Lord, and your shoes are also worn out as well. But you have done so much more—you wore out your body in the service of the Lord. You are a great example for me. I love you, Caleb!”
Family with Caleb at airport