Megan came home this week!!! Yay!!!!!!!!

It's been so fabulous to have her home! Just to see that face that we love and hug her and hear her laugh and have her be a part of our lives again!

She flew into Salt Lake City at 4:39pm after over 17 hours of flight. We were all there to greet her with balloons and signs (which no one wanted to hold because we wanted to hug her!). Mariah even got a ride back home for the event with her cousins Becca and Emily so in addition to extended family and friends, our immediate family of ten was complete once again even if it was just for the night. There was much screaming and we kind of ducked under the ropes and got escorted back by airport security (hee hee). I will include the video if you'd like to watch:

We also took lots and lots of pictures before she arrived:

and after she arrived:

Victory Bridge

Grandma Elton had planned on being at the airport to see Megan, too, but her flight got delayed! Becca and Emily waited for her and brought her back to the house where she got her Megan hug and gave Meg a new crocheted blanket to keep warm.

The next morning, Cali and Chey left for a three-day basketball tournament in Vernal. They had tons and tons of fun even though they really missed us and didn't get to play as much basketball as they would like. We're glad they had fun!

Mariah and Becca and Emily and her husband, Nic, needed to leave in the early afternoon so we played a game of Betrayal all together in the morning where Megan helped save us from certain doom. We thought it very appropriate. Afterwards, it was hard to say goodbye to Mariah!

That afternoon, Megan, Kevin, Ammon, Sarah, Grandma, and I went to the temple together. It was really great. That night we had the ward Christmas party and everyone in our ward got to welcome Meg home. That was pretty great, too.

Since then, we've been taking turns hanging out with Megan and she has visited friends and played some games, too. She has been getting up by 7 every morning (her first day back, she went running with Mariah) and has been continuing her daily scripture study. She always asks how she can help and we keep asking for more mission stories and reassuring her that we really do want to hear another one.

I feel so blessed that she was able to go on a mission and that she was brave enough to do it and I marvel at the miracle that has unlocked this fearful girl into one who introduces herself to strangers and steps toward people when they talk to her instead of stepping away. I also marvel at her relationship with God, her increased trust in Him, and her peace. How could I not be grateful for this miracle in her life and the miracle for all who know her and those who will continue to know her? My heart is full. I love God who continues to show His love for her and the organization of this church that made it possible and wish to sing with all the songs, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!"

A missionary coming home can do that to ya.