Since I'm the one who started this blog, I'm going to take the liberty of adding one last post before I publish it. I wanted to see my mom in her element before her mission was over, but fate and flights worked out so that I arrived on the day after her last day. Kindly, she hung around for me so we could spend the weekend with Lisa and I could still get a little bit of a tour. Things started out a little rocky since I flew in on a very wintery day but my plane landed safely before the snow picked up and the wind kicked in. Chrysta (who was flying in to meet up with us as well) was not so lucky. Her flight was scheduled just in time to compete with a somewhat scary storm. After we had been told by a terminal worker that her plane had been diverted back to Arizona, she came walking out of the airport all smiles and our disappointment turned back into excitement. I don't know about everyone else, but I thought the flight drama and the inclement weather were well worth the quality girl time that me, mom, Chrysta and Lisa got to spend together. We had breakfast AND lunch at the new City Creek Mall and met Kaitlyn there, (she had come up from Provo to get in on the action). The five of us tromped all around Temple Square in the snow, enjoying the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the Church History Museum. Since that day was Lisa's birthday, we had to do a little bit of shopping, so we hit up Down East Basics and the book section of Deseret Industries, with much success. Aside from that, what I remember most is eating lots of warm, yummy soup and lounging around at Lisa's house. When I flew out of SLC on my way home to New Mexico, mom and Chrysta got on the road and headed for Arizona...and with that, mom's mission was officially over! I hope she knows how proud we are that she served so well and was still able to be our mom all the while. She remembered every single birthday (kids, spouses and grandkids) with cards and gifts. She flew home for all the important events that arose (an endowment, a baby blessing and a wedding - to name a few). And she fielded all our phone calls for advice, love, encouragement and support...like she always does. Congratulations on your completion of a very successful mission, mom! We all love you so much.
