Going Home.....

Last week I got to go back to the mission field. It was a sad trip, but in a strange way it was happy too. I got a phone call from Tina Wells, a sister in my favorite area, last Wednesday morning. My companion and I had taught her husband. It turned out that Eric had died in a car accident. I was stunned. He was only 38. I called my companion in Canada (the famous Bulldog) and we were both on planes by Thursday night. I was landing back in Portland by Saturday night, so when I say it was a whirlwind trip, that's exactly what I mean.

Crystal, Tina, and Aaron Wells, Haylee and I, Bulldog and Brianne

We attended the funeral on Friday and had the chance to spend time with the Wells family. We also got to see some other people from the ward and people that we'd taught. I thought that I'd feel weird walking into the church building, but really, it felt like I was home. I loved my mission and especially loved this area, so it's always had a special place in my heart anyway.

Eric left behind a wife and five kids, so it was a tough day for everybody. But something made it a slightly sweet experience as well. Bulldog and I went back in 2004 to go through the temple with this family. We watched them sealed together for time and eternity. I had no idea if they were still active or not when I got the phone call from Tina, but I was so happy to find out that they were. Eric was teaching Sunbeams and the kids loved him so there was a Primary choir at the funeral. He had his own temple clothes and they had to be washed so that he could be buried in them, which meant they were being used. Finding that out touched my heart in a way that words can't describe. It was a feeling of such sweet peace. And he looked peaceful. There's no doubt in my mind that he was doing the best he could do. I can't even explain how wonderful that feels. That's really why we serve missions. It's not for the baptisms or anything else.....it's for what happens afterwards. It was just great to be there with the family and with Bulldog.

At their sealing. Tina's sister & husband, Aaron, Tina, Eric & Crystal Wells, Bulldog, Tina's Dad, and me

Anyway, we stayed with the Westfalls. They're an awesome family from the ward we served in. They made us feel so welcome and we had a great time with them! I also got the chance to meet little Brianne for the first time. She totally has my sparkling personality, so she's been named appropriately.:) I mean, I have more hair than she does, but so does Haylee, so we can hardly judge the appropriateness of her name by that sort of thing.:) I can't believe she's 8 months old already!! Sheesh! She's a doll! And she's such a good baby. Oh, and it was 85 degrees the whole time we were there!! I was BARELY mad when I landed and saw snow on the ground.

At the Westfalls.

Bulldog and Brianne, Haylee and I

Haylee meeting Auntie Bulldog.

Greg Hollahan (another guy we taught while there), Haylee and I, Bulldog and Brianne.

Anyhow, when I first got the phone call, I thought, "There's no way I can do this with a week old baby and a kidney stone," but we managed (Haylee actually did great.....especially on the plane) and I'm extremely happy that I made the decision to go. It was worth it to see what I saw.