Welcome Home Elder Schenk!

Knowing that Devin would be coming home after serving two years in Cebu, Philippines was almost bittersweet.  I have been so proud of him, and knew that the Lord was watching over him.  I have also felt directly blessed by his service, so many things have gone well for me and our family these past two years.  I didn't want all that to end!  But, actually, I did want to see Devin again and watch him move on with his life, knowing that he had learned and matured so much.  The week that Devin arrived home was packed full of great events, so much so, that I just took one hour at a time and savored it all the best I could, knowing that any one of these events would have been worth at least a week's worth of excitement on their own. 

First, Katie and Eleanor came home Monday night. I was so pleased that Eleanor remembered me and was happy to let me hold her! All that Facetiming pays off!

She liked the little rocking chair I found in my mom's attic.  Her mommy used to rock in that chair when she was a little girl.

On Tuesday Eric and I went to the Senior Parent's Tea, and then had trouble starting Eric's car afterwards, but luckily Keith was available, so he stopped by and got us up and running in a jiffy.
Wednesday Eric and Gigi sang at Baccalaureate, and did such a good job, everyone was impressed, especially because no one at school even knows that Eric can sing!  He sang well and did a good job of relaxing and looking comfortable while singing.  The whole program went well, nice talks, including Lucy Capron and Janson Vandermuelen, a scripture reading by Andre, then Guy Knoblich from our bishopric gave the closing prayer.

We came home and Katie had made some delicious Lemon Curd so we enjoyed that for dessert.

Next it was time to get ready for Devin's arrival at the airport the very next morning.  Katie and Eric got busy designing awesome welcome home signs and then we spread them out around the floor of the new room, scrounged up some of my old craft paints and painted them up in bright colors.   After a very late, messy night, we got a few hours of sleep and then headed to the airport

Thursday morning.

Look at those awesome signs.  (They were designed specifically to be reused when a certain little brother returns from his mission!) Diane and Dennis, who drove from Provo to Eatonville on Tuesday of this week, met us at the airport.  It was so fun to see them too!  Carson and Grandma Schenk got in on the action as well.  Once we determined the first possible place for us to see our missionary, we set up shop in this corner and WAITED.

We knew he'd go through customs, then get on the tram, and then ride up this escalator. We talked to people coming up and they had been on the flight from Tokyo, so we knew it was just a matter of time.  More and more small groups of people rode up, a couple of minutes apart, and we just WAITED.   Each time we saw a pilot or flight attendant, we thought it could be Elder Schenk in his suit, and each time we were disappointed.  Finally, the dark pants coming around the corner were his!

Look at that beautiful, happy, long awaited face!  There is no feeling like the pure joy of a mom when her son returns from serving the Lord Jesus Christ as a full time missionary. 

He's home, safe and sound and full of the Spirit!  What could be better?

Time for hugs all aound.

I missed a few pictures, it was all happening so fast.

Meeting his niece for the first time.

Heading to baggage claim.

Happy Family!

Then we were off to breakfast at IHop.

Look at that happy face.  Devin looks great as a missionary.

He was pretty hungry, too. 

Unfortunately we only have one kind of ketchup here in America.  Regular.

Not sweet or spicy and no banana ketchup.  Oh well, it will do.

After Elder Schenk got home, he admired the new room we built in his absence, and then took a warm shower and a nap before we had bbq dinner including potato salad (at his request), then went to Oak Harbor for him to be released and report to the High Council.

After his interview with President Dickson, he came back out to the foyer and removed the missionary name tag from his jacket.  (We found out later he still had one on his shirt, kind of sneaky!)  We were able to go with him to report to the High Council, and when Devin walked in, they all stood in respect for him.  He reported beautifully about his mission, answered some questions, and then bore his testimony in Visayan, the spirit was so strong, it was amazing.

Diane and Dennis came to our house to stay, Katie and Eleanor met Josh in Seattle (at Richard and Diana's house, thanks Diana) and they went to Portland for a couple days to visit.

What a wonderful few days,  stay tuned for even more events from this week!