Emerson's home!

We had been looking forward to this day for 3 years and 6 months.

The day our family would finally all be reunited. 

With both of my brothers missions overlapping, we knew it would be a long time before we were all together in the same room. 

The excitement and anticipation of us days even months leading up to this are indescribable. 

But it was here. And we could not get our hands on Emerson fast enough!

Thankfully his flight was coming in at 10 in the morning so we didn't have to wait too long to see him.

We made banners/posters and my dad did some sidewalk chalk drawings.

We were ready!

So we all headed up to the airport, in two cars of course cause our family is just really big.

When we got there we found out his plane was 20 minutes ahead of schedule and had just landed!!!

Ahhh!!

We were absolutely freaking out.

I think I was either dying of excitement/anxiousness, wanting to pee my pants, (I always have to pee when I get overly anxious) or bawling my head off.

Definitely a lot of emotions going around.

We knew he was coming home with 4 other missionaries from the same mission. So when we saw a couple of the missionaries come down we freaked out. As if we weren't already freaking out!

And then all of a sudden someone shouted, "there he is!" 

It was him!!!

He burst out bawling when he saw us, and we burst out bawling when we saw him.

We tried our hardest to cheer but the moment was just so surreal. No words were coming out.

We hugged and hugged.

I think my favorite moment was seeing him hug Winston for the first time in over 3 years. 

It was so emotional.

So perfect. 

As he hugged my mom, one of the first things he said to her was "was please can we get Cafe Rio!"

Apparently they don't have them in Boston :)

We hung out at the airport for a while and waited for a few family members to arrive who had missed him coming home because his flight was so early.

It's really hard to explain how I was feeling in the moment.

But mostly it was just pure joy.

For lunch we of course headed straight to Cafe Rio. 

It was fun seeing everyone look at him all dressed up and ask if he had just gotten home from his mission. And then once he said yes, receiving lots of praise and gratitude. Only in Utah :)

We went home and had some time to relax and just enjoy every minute with him.

And then it was time to head to the Stake Center so he could be released.

Those moments in the stake center as Emerson bore his final testimony as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints are moments I will never ever forget.

The Spirit filled the room as Emerson bore witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. And as he promised to dedicate every day to serving the Lord for as long as he lived. He said that he would make sure that each one of stayed firm in the Gospel and that if at any time we wavered he would be there to pick us back up.

I wish I could remember the exact words of his testimony because honestly it was one of the most powerful testimonies I have ever heard. But I remember the Spirit that was felt. It was incredible.

As his sister, I just felt so proud. I also felt so determined to always live my life in such a way to be worthy of the Spirit that was felt that night.

It is interesting the emotions that are felt as a missionary comes home. Of course there is so much excitement. But mostly it is spiritual. Because you know how proud Heavenly Father is. And that is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

 Clara fell asleep on my hand on the way up.

 Emerson's first time meeting Clara.

She is usually so shy around people and doesn't let many people hold her.

But she went right to him and held his hand. 

 Emerson and my sweet Grandpa Farr.

My dad's sister Carol was at the airport and brought up something that really touched me.

She said that this was the first "official" event grandma had missed. And that for a minute she was sad she wasn't here. But then had the overwhelming feeling that she was here. And that she was enjoying every minute just like we were. And that the feelings of joy and excitement we were feeling have to be the exact same feelings we will feel when we are reunited again with those family members and friends who passed away before us. Particularly sweet grandma.

I love this outlook. And I believe it with all my heart. I can't wait for that day!

Welcome home Soinkaroonski!