Baptismal program by deacons.

I just got back from an amazing baptismal program today.

A deacon aged boy was being baptized. Almost the entire program was filled by his quorum members.

Josh played the opening song, Brightly Beams,while another deacon lead. A different deacon played the rest hymn and the closing hymn. Deacons said the prayers and gave the first talk. Their quorum adviser gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and the Bishop welcomed him to the ward. He was baptized by his grandpa.

I looked at those young boys and thought how wonderful that they were getting ready for their missions in such concrete ways.

I am grateful for our Young Men's leaders who encourage the boys to reach and fulfill meaningful positions.

Another step in mission prep happened today for my son.

I missed this picture.

I love this picture and I have no idea why I didn't put it in.

Devon with the dudes just hanging out at the airport.

Devon is home.

Devon is home from serving a two year mission in Nicaragua. One of the benefits of living so close is that we get to participate in the comings and goings of missionaries.

We spent the day in Salt Lake waiting for Devon to get in. He missed his connection in Dallas, and so arrived in Salt Lake at 11:00 pm.

We knew it would make for a very long night, but we wanted to be part of the celebration. Who cares if we got home at 3 am? Right? Right!

Here are a few pictures from the airport.

Because Debbie works at the airport, she got to meet him at the gate. With the personal hellos accomplished, she walked with him out to greet us.

It is so fun to see the support. Sometimes as family, I forget about the friends that have waited for so long too. Here is a mix of friends and family, waiting to welcome the missionary home.

The very anxious. Nympha and Ariel waiting to get the first glimpse of Devon. Max, his Paraso cousin, holding the blue sign. I think Max really missed him. Josh and Boaz waiting to see him too.

The overwhelmed boy trying to look natural as he is mobbed by people that he hasn't seen in two years. No wonder return missionaries are so awkward at first.

Waiting for hugs. in the corner, you can see Cooper in the adidas tee shirt who left four days after Devon got home. Sabrina in the front, Carl and Meg, Cooper Ethan, and Craig.

Mom is so happy her boy is back. Two years is a long time.

Proof of a missionary's service. The worn out shoes.

Brandon is home

Brandon served his mission in Ohio -- a Spanish speaking mission. Recently he gave his welcome home address. We were happy to attend. He is amazing.

He spoke the majority of the time. It was fun to watch him and hear the stories from him that I had read about in his emails home. He tied each story to a principle of the gospel. He was polished and sincere.

He is currently attending school. In fact, he flew home on a Friday and was in class the following Monday morning. An abrupt transition, but he is directing his focus to an equally challenging and important phase of life.

I left my camera in the car. It doesn't do any good there. So I begged some pictures from Kim. She is great and this is what she sent. :)

Craig.

Dawn, LuRose, and Tony

Cousins: back row -- Nichole (sister to Brandon), Maddie, Tyson, Jeff, Brandon, Ashlyn, Kim, Jessica, Josh and Boaz in the middle, Taivan, Bowen, Bridger and Shalisa (sister to Brandon).

Another picture of cousins. Brandon is in the coat, Jeff is in the white shirt and tie. Jeff just left for the MTC for his mission to Mexico.

Returned missionaries and future missionaries. I love taking my boys to these gatherings. Apart from the pure family fun, it is so great for them to see the wonderful examples of their cousins as they go and come home from missions.

A little shot of the dudes watching football.

Don't ask why I am the only girl in this shot of great guys. I should have left the area. My boys, Craig, Mark, Alan, and Zach.

Two returned missionaries and one waiting to leave for the MTC. All do, or will, speak Spanish.

 Dawn and her kids lined up the stairs. From the top, Dawn, Brad, LuRose, Ronda, Craig, Mark and Sandy. You gotta love these family reunions.

A very good family. I am lucky to have joined them.

The outlaws. Tony, Cyri, Zach, Kris, me and Alan. I deserved the bunny ears. I got a bit fiesty about the Niners.

Dawn and Ronda. Ronda is the mother of Brandon. She was having a fabulous day.

 Ronda and Sandy.

Kim wanted a picture of the girls. Back row: Maddie, me, Kris, Ronda, Whitney, Cyri, Dawn, Brandon, Sandy. Front row: Kim, Nichole, Ashlyn and Jessica.

Good food and good family. A great reunion celebrating a missionary who returned with honor.

Tyson is home!

After school, we loaded up in the car and dashed off to Idaho Falls to welcome Elder Tyson Oswald home from Cuernavaca, Mexico.

Boaz, at eight, doesn't really remember him very well. But he was still excited to be a part of the family excitement.

We got there just as the plane did. We watched them exit the plane -- we could see through the glass doors.

I don't know why missionaries always seem to be the last off the silly plane.

One lady came out and smiled. She said he was here, she had sat by him.

We could see him outside the doors.

His mother had lots of signs ready for people to hold. She also had a Mexican flag to wave. She was so excited she was just about jumping out of her skin.

His dad was over talking to his brother, my husband.

His two sisters and two brothers were there ready to get hugged.

The terminal buzzed with anxious excitement.

Tyson held the door for the next to the last passenger to enter, and then he came down the walk way. The last passenger arriving in Idaho Falls that flight.

His mother ran to meet him, his dad took his guitar, and backpack. Next his sister and down the line.

I didn't count how many of us were there, but we filled the terminal. Craig said he looked like he remembered feeling when he came home from his mission.

I thought what a wonderful thing for my boys to see missionaries go and then come home. I feel blessed to be part of these families. First we saw Kayla, then Nicko, and now Tyson come home. Next month we will welcome Brandon home. And in a few months we will welcome Devon home.

Next month we will gather and wish Jeff well as he goes.

There is a long line of returned missionaries: Joseph, Jacob, Sam, Skyler, Tyler, Kayla, Nicko and now Tyson.

On our way home, Boaz said, "I'm glad we are a Mormon family." I am too.

Here are a few pictures from this evening.

Tyson came home from Cuernavaca and Jeff is getting ready to go to Chihuahua. Two cousins that will have a love for Mexico and her people forever.

The Brad Oswald family: Maddie, Ashlyn, Brad (dad), Tyson, Kris (mom), Bowen and Taiven in the front.

The boys: Jeff, Josh, Boaz, Tyson, Brad, Taivan, Bowen, Bridger, and I don't know -- that is terrible. I should have asked his name. He is from Kris's side of the family. I don't know them very well.

The boys again. With a few more Treasure family members.

Taivan makes this picture.

Grandma and Grandpa Oswald with the newest returned missionary grandchild. Life is good.

Tyson and Kim. Best cousins and two of my favorite people. :)