My parents went down to Sacramento, California and picked up my brother who was done serving his 2 year mission there. They spent a week there meeting many of the Lao and Mien people that Tommy had grown to love so much (and they all absolutely loved him, as well!) They had a lot of really special experiences meeting them.
When they arrived home, we went over to see Tommy and give him hugs for the first time in over 2 years!!! We were all really excited and maybe a little nervous to see him. When we got there, he was upstairs, so the girls hid and then jumped out and surprised him with the pictures and signs they had made for him!! :)
Here is my Facebook post that I wrote along with this picture, that day... "As bad as yesterday began (my 9 year old cut her thumb really bad, my 2 year old got a hold of a sharpie, etc.), it sure ended wonderfully!! I got to hug my little (26 year old) brother, Tommy, for the first time in over 2 years!! So proud of him! He did amazing things on his mission in Sacramento serving the Laotian and Mien Chinese people. (So incredible to me that he learned both languages!) Then I attended a baby shower for 2 sisters in my ward (congregation), who are brand new, and watched as the sisters in our ward really reached out and loved them... I feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of a wonderful family and a wonderful ward family!!" -81 likes and 7 comments
The girls made some pretty special pictures for Uncle Tommy, including one that had a special picture when you looked at it with light behind it. Tia made a card that ended with, "...I love you so much and know that you love me." So sweet!
Tommy in the hallway with his countdown chart and the chain countdown Riana and the other neices and nephews made.
I relate a lot with him and really feel a connection to him. It was hard when he left. But it was sure good to visit with him and to have him home. :) And the girls love their Uncle Tommy!! I am excited to see what Tommy will accomplish in his life... he is a very smart, sensitive, passionate guy, who puts 200% into everything he does! I am excited to see who the Lord has in store for his spouse, and his children, and his career... I know that he is going to be very successful in life.
A week or two later, Tommy gave his homecoming talk. (Grant and my parents also had the opportunity to hear him speak at High Council Meeting that morning.) It was a wonderful talk all about the amazing miracles of his mission. One of the miracles of his mission was his ability to learn two languages. (He learned Laotian in the MTC and was asked to learn Mien Chinese, once he arrived in the mission field.) He said that was one of the hardest things he has ever done and couldn't have ever done it without a lot of hard work and a lot of help from the Lord. He noticed a huge increase in his understanding when the other Mien speaker left the mission (leaving him as the only Mien speaker in the mission, and possibly in the world, only about 6-9 months into his mission.) He needed the gift of tongues and was given it. He said he fasted and prayed several times, as well as studying very hard, for an increase in language understanding, and was given it every time. He was blessed with many great miracles on his mission. He loved his mission and the people he served. (So much so that it was hard for him to come home and he missed it a lot. However, he will attend BYU Provo in January and hopes to be able to teach at the MTC. That would be awesome!
I think one of the coolest things about Tommy's mission was that he left when he was 25! I admire him so much for that. He was older than all of his teachers in the MTC and all of his trainers on the mission. I really feel that he set such a wonderful example for other young men that it isn't to late to serve a wonderful mission, even if you are a little bit older than most. After his homecoming talk, we went over to my parents' house and had a 27th birthday party for him. Our Uncle Scott (my Mom's baby brother) and his wife, Debbie, and daughter, Jenna, were also there. He is constantly surrounded by lots of nieces and nephews. (We also sang to Kaatlin, who turned 16! AHH!! and Karina, who turned 8, who are also November birthdays.)
Afterwards, we played a little game of keep away or monkey in the middle... the kids loved it!! It was a fun day!
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