Missionary Homecoming!

Here we are, on our way to go pick up our missionary son, Elder Kohler Chamberlain from the Argentina Mendoza Mission!

 Here is Elder Chamberlain just after we saw him for the first time.  It was freezing down there in June!!!  Here is his mission president, President Goates (who is also from Arizona!)

We were able to go to church with him and watch him teach a lesson in Spanish.  It was surreal to see Elder Chamberlain in action as a missionary.  A dream come true for every parent!  (To see more of this trip, refer to Kohler's Mission Blog Book)

 Kohler's mission homecoming was nothing less than a dream come true!  We walked off that plane together and his heart was beating SO fast.  He had envisioned this moment for 24 months and it was happening NOW!  I had been texting Kelsey and my mother since we landed in the U.S. to make sure they would not be late.  This is something they just could not be late for . . .

When he caught sight of all of his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and good friends, the BIGGEST SMILE hit Elder Chamberlain's face!  They all came running up to him and gave him hugs!!

 His best friend, Keaton Peterson, also got home the exact same day.  Remember, he left on the same day as Kohler too.  That was such a blessing for these boys!

 Rider didn't recognize Kohler at first, but then he soon remembered and warmed up to him.  It was such a sweet reunion.  Of course, we had to do it outside because of the pee, ha ha!  (Rider ALWAYS pees when we sees us after we have been gone a long time . . .)

 Of all the people to see Elder Chamberlain, I think Kelsey was the most excited.  They are only 2 years apart and she missed him terribly, but she was beyond proud of her older brother!  After the airport, we all headed over to MaryKay's home for an amazing lunch.  It was SO nice of her to host us and it gave us time to hang out and talk to him before he was released later that evening.  

 One of my most favorite scenes was watching these young cousins sit and listen at his feet. They didn't care about swimming, jumping on the trampoline, or anything else.  They just sat and listened to him for a long time.  It is so cute to see how they look up to him!

 Someone snapped this photo of Tom singing at Kohler and Keaton's Homecoming.  I played the piano and Tom sang, "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul."  It was absolutely heavenly.

 It was so fun to have so many family members there.  The Davis Family drove in from California, the Roundy's came up from Tucson, Grandma and Grandpa Marshall came in from California, Lisa and Tyler Stratton flew in from Tulsa, and several mission companions came to see him from other states.  Suzy Nielson's family came over too which made Elder Chamberlain super happy to see them again!

 We had Joe's BBQ cater the food and it was delicious!

 Truly, this picture says it all.  This mama is SOOOO happy to have her son home, safe and sound.  If you could see her heart, you would see it swollen with joy and a righteous pride that her son faithfully completed a two-year mission, even though it was the hardest thing he has ever done.  Words cannot describe what I felt.

 Here is Hailey with Suzy's beautiful little sister, Kiersten.

I saw this cake at another mission homecoming and knew I just had to buy it for Elder Chamberlain.  How cool is that cake?!  

Elder Chamberlain has left a legacy for his younger siblings and cousins to follow after.  How grateful we are to him for his service to the Lord and example to our family.  We love you Elder Chamberlain!