Marissa returns from her Mission

We are so excited ... but she is not.

We can't wait for Marissa to come home from her mission.  She arrives home on December 18, 2018, but in the emails leading up to her return, she constantly tells us that she does not want to leave her mission, and that she loves serving the Lord and the people in the Logan, Utah area.

I love that she loves what she is doing so much!  I wish there were a way for her to attend BYU and still continue to serve her mission.  I sincerely hope she keeps the sweet and super close spirit connection that she has created these 18 months on her mission with her the rest of her life.  It just shows how close you can be to the spirit without the distractions and confusion of the world, or the negativity of other people.

Betsy made up some posters and got some balloons to take to the airport.

A friend came up to Kentucky, Kaleb Phipps to welcome Marissa home too.  Betsy had invited many of Marissa's friends from church and high school to welcome her home, but with most of them taking finals, all but Kaleb were not able to come.  Betsy invited them, because everyone else from her family would not be there to greet her.

Welcome home Marissa

Welcome home sweetheart

Marissa with her parents and Kaleb Phipps
It was so nice he came up for her home coming

Betsy arranged for Jessica, Tate, Devon and Robert to go to the Salt Lake City Airport and surprise her there!!!  What a great surprise - IT ALL WENT WRONG!

The mission couple transporting the home bound missionaries was running late, while at the same time our crew arrived early and waited - thinking missionaries are never late.  Unfortunately, Jessica, Tate, Devon and Robert left 10 minutes before Marissa and the other missionaries arrived!  SO SAD!

Not to worry - they will see each other in just a few days when everyone else comes to Kentucky for Christmas.