On Oct 21 , 2009 the day started out like this... Grandma" what are the plans for today?" Me..." we are picking up our missionary", Grandma....." sob, sob, warm tear rolls down her hot little cheek.... and in a very small -quite -almost reverent voice...our little missionary Lolo" She is coming home today, the little one who overcame so much has served the Lord with all her heart might mind and soul"
Grandma... "ohhh... that Lolo, she makes my heart hurt, I still see her sitting on the bed in tears, hitting her precious face with her wooby blanket, trying to be brave. Now look what she did" Do I look okay to go pick her up at the airport? Yes , Mom, just grand. "Well you are so dressed up," she says to me...Well... I am the mother of the "bride". Awesome friend.. Jilly McCloud was the chauffeur, as we piled in her SUV full of excitement, we drive down the road, me and Jill aren't so good with directions, but we made it with laughter the whole way. After we park and head for the terminal, we see other families anxiously waiting for the return of their missionary's. They have posters, balloons and tons of peeps. We on the other hand just pretend we are movie stars and let our bling do the talkin. Holiday Bryn and her mother Linda are there full of laughter and support. We watch as the people come down the escalator. We wait and wait and wait. No sign of Lolo... Holiday Bryn starts pulling out staff passes, get out of jail free passes, and "I OWN THIS AIRPORT" passes, takes the stairs 2 by 2 and heads up to find our Lolo. A few minutes later, we see Holiday Bryn standing at the top of the escalator smiling , that must mean Lolo is coming her way . We later find out, Holiday Bryn heads on the plane, past pilots, crew, first class, and looks and finds our lolo. Hugs of course and leads her to the place ( just like Brigham Young ) where we are all waiting. Around the corner comes our missionary, full of smiles, as she descends down the escalator, I fight back the tears, but it ain't gonna happen, she runs off and into my arms. Ohh what a feeling. The paparazzi were in full swing so every cherished moment could be caught on film. After I let her go, there were hugs and tears all around. GLORIOUS.... what a beautiful day. Our missionary has returned with Honor. We chat, hug, and all say our good-buys as we part in different directions. Once in the Jilly mobile, I crash into the arms of Lolo and she just holds me. Jilly and Grandma are bawling in the front seats. Then we get lost trying to get out of the parking terminal. So we laugh and finally head for home. The scenic route of course.... haha....by the time we land in Provo we have only minutes before we are to be at the Stake President's house for her release. We pick up Papa and head up the hill. He greets us at the door and says to Laura" Welcome Home". We pile in his front room and he begins to tells us how to plan for an easier adjustment into life, after serving and always having a set time and schedule, sometimes the transitions hard. After the advice, he hands me a folder . I open and he has ME read her release certificate. Crocodile tears all over my Hollywood dress, my voice cracking, but I made it through. Then he looks at Laura and says" Now take off your name tag" It was heartbreaking sad, we were all crying, what a mess we are, so tender hearted. Then after much advice and when he said " Laura you have served an honorably full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, well done". We head for the car and head to California Pizza Kitchen ( thanks Deanna) to meet up with other Elders who served in her district in NYC. They had a grand time, talking about NYC, they were all so cute and happy. Then she left with the Elders and I didn't see her for 2 days. They are keeping her busy, it helps with the transition. I am grateful for them. We still don't know the date for her report to the ward talk, but it will be posted on face book. Now that Laura's journey in the mission field is finished and a new chapter is about to start, it is a wee bit un-nerving not knowing what is the best way to go. Then Lolo reminds me, that if we always stay close to our Father in Heaven, he will guide us in the directions that will be best for us to progress. Laura is one amazing young lady , her stories are so powerful and like treasures to hear. It is Onedurful Hinks. she is home. A BIG Thanks to all who supported Lolo and for the many letters, cards, and dollars sent to her, she was just like Grandpa Cragun, who returned with more dollars than he left with. With the hard comes the sweet and is it ever so sweet. One last time," Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side". Love from Kathy the proud mother of a returned missionary.
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