After a crazy day/weekend of packing and saying so many hard goodbyes, I headed off early on Tuesday morning to spend the day with Sister Patterson and the other missionaries going home. We froze in the sub zero temps, but loved every minute as we soaked in the last few hours of Downtown Chicago. Many pass along cards and #LighttheWorld cards were given out and of course a trip to the Bean! We even saw one of our investigators, Tim, who took time off work to come and meet us! After returning to the Mission home we ate dinner and talked until way to late in the night about all the experiences from our missions and with President and Sister Bingham. It was so exciting and bitter sweet at the same time. I got about 2 hours of sleep and then we were back up at 3:30 to take a shuttle bus being driven by a Russian Missionary in Chicago Traffic with a trailer of 8 missionaries luggage behind. Yes prayers are answered that we made it to the airport in safety...yet still late and one of the poor Elders missed his flight. :( We all said our goodbyes again and headed to our gates. This excitement was better than Christmas morning. I was heading home!! Freezing below zero temps and snow in SLC delayed our flight a bit but we still landed only 20 minutes late. A short pit stop to the bathroom with Sister Patterson and then 1 more goodbye and it was time to go see my Family!!. Riding down the escalator seemed like a dream and all the sea of faces overwhelmed me. I saw Mom first and that hug. was. the. best! Dad's hug reminded me that all would be well and I was home. Sissy's have grown so much we hugged in our group Bear hug! Seeing Grandpa and his sweet tears and all my aunts and cousins was so wonderful! After a lunch stop at Paradise Bakery and a visit with Grandpa and Grandma Parke it was time to head to my HOME! I missed seeing my Ethan there..and shed some tears of sadness yet was SO Grateful to be home. Comforts of home never felt so good. We are so blessed and I never want to forget the feelings of gratitude I feel for my blessings, my family, my Savior and His Gospel!
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| A visit with Tim! |
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| Kathryn Rose Miller made me this special plaque |
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| President and Sister Bingham |
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