Idaho for Jeff's Homecoming

My brother, Jeff, got home from his mission last week. He went to Paraguay, spoke Spanish and Guarani, and turned out to be a really incredible missionary.

It was so good to see him! He's the one child in the family who inherited my mother's red hair and freckles. He's also overflowing with artistic, musical, and creative talents. We've missed him.

Lainy prayed for him every night he was gone.

Jeff got home Friday afternoon and we flew in late Friday night. Brad stayed until after Jeff's report Sunday night, then he had to get back to Seattle. The girls and I stayed until Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, these are the only pictures I have of the trip...

Brad and Leah on our late-night flight to Idaho

From the left: Leah, Dad, Mom, Brad, Lainy, Kayt, Kristen, Ella, Jeff

watching a movie on the flight home

Just know that we had a wonderful, if short, visit. I cried through his whole report on Sunday. It was incredibly touching to see my little bro up there sharing his obvious love for the people of Paraguay, his love for the Lord, and his gratitude for having the opportunity to serve Him. There's something about Jeff that just gets me. He's an awesome kid and he's going to do some amazing things with his life.


Here are a couple of quotes from Elder Smith, taken from various letters home:
"Finding, finding, finding. It's kinda strange how in missionary work you spend so much time finding people, finding their doubts, finding their testimonies, and all the while you're really just finding yourself."

And from his last letter:
"I love the Lord. I love this people. I love you all. I testify this church to be the only true church, the possessor of divine right, power, and ordinance, and proclaimer of the living Christ. I know He lives. I testify of His love and thank Him for His confidence in a little red headed Idahoan boy that in the beginning knew not even how to confide in himself. I know this work is true and seal this epistle in the holy name of my Savior and Friend, Jesus Christ, amen."

Welcome home Elder Smith!