Bem-vindo

Josh's youngest brother Malachi has been serving a mission in Portugal for the last two years. At the end of February, Josh's parents flew to Portugal to pick up Elder Tolman and bring him home. They spent a week travelling to different parts of Malachi's mission, and met some of the people he served while on his mission. The first week of March, they all arrived back in Salmon. My boys made a very long and colorful banner and Josh and I hung it up in the entry of their house to welcome them home. The giant banner said "Bem-vindo Tio Malachi", which translated from Portuguese to English means "Welcome home Uncle Malachi". That was our gift to welcome him, and the boys were happy with the gifts that Grandma and Grandpa brought back for them, too: Portuguese t-shirts.

Malachi's missionary homecoming was two weeks ago. Josh's other siblings and their families came to Salmon to attend it as well. It was a beautiful and spiritual meeting! After church, we had the homecoming dinner at our house. To prepare for the dinner, we split up the responsibilities: my mother-in-law prepared the dinner, and Josh and I cleaned the house, and it turned out really well that way!! Around 40 people came, and I just loved being surrounded in my home with people that I loved! We had a lovely afternoon visiting with family and friends and being together! I was so grateful to live in this house which gave me the ability to host the event!

The weather was sunny and a little breezy, so after dinner most of the kids went outside to play on the trampoline and play freeze tag on the lawn (only a few remained inside to play nintendo). Because of that, the adults had a nice and quiet environment to sit inside and chat! It was really just a perfect Sunday!

Welcome home Uncle Malachi! We're glad you're back! You've really grown during these past 2 years!