He's Home

Our missionary is home!  I can't even describe the joy we felt as we saw him walking towards us in the airport.  We all hugged him and didn't want to let go.  He was looking good--happy, healthy and all grown up.

These pictures were taken at home that evening.

He hasn't been released yet--trying out the hammock in the backyard.

Devyn said that it felt warm and humid here compared to Virginia in February.  He enjoyed checking out our new home and getting settled in.  He was hungry because he had traveled all day and hadn't had lunch.  Good thing I planned a yummy welcome home dinner--Cafe Rio Mexican buffet and Pan Eclairs (thanks, Alison, for the recipe for Devyn's favorite dessert).

The morning after he got home, our stake president came and released him from full-time missionary service.  I was in tears when he asked Devyn to remove his name tag.  Devyn said it felt like a part of his heart was ripped out.  It is just so different to go from every day morning to night serving others and sharing the gospel and then to have completed his mission and getting back into civilian life (without losing all of the important and wonderful things that he has gained).

We've spent the week and a half since he's been home getting him new "civilian" clothes and shoes, a Florida driver's license, car insurance, a cellphone, scuba certification lessons (got to be ready to play with Stephen and Derek), a dentist appointment and a doctor's appointment.  We also worked in an airboat trip in the Everglades with Grandpa and Grandma and a trip to the orange stand for some Honeybells. 

Devyn reported his mission to the stake presidency and high council last Sunday morning and then spoke in our sacrament meeting.  It was wonderful to hear his experiences and his testimony of Jesus Christ.  Again, I was in tears.  It was such an emotional and wonderful and spiritual time for me.  

We love having him home!