This morning, Christian, Gigs, Lottie, and I hopped in the car,
and made our way to the airport to pick up Elder Nielson after serving
two wonderful years in Brazil as a full-time missionary for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
Also, I was so excited to pick up Claire, whose flight arrived 30 minutes
before Ollie. She was able to meet him at the gate and have a sweet
reunion, just the two of them.
The best part was, he didn't know!
I wish I could have seen that!
My dear friend Susan and her husband, John, were departing for Puerto Rico
the same time and offered to take photos of our family reunion before
checking in to their flight.
That was so perfect!
When I saw Ollie walking down the gateway with Claire, I couldn't
contain myself, and I broke through the gate and ran to him
while the TSA officer told me to stop. But I did not stop.
I kept on running.
Then I heard Ollie yell, "Mom!"
He ran to me, and I was transported to heaven for a few seconds.
I'll never forget it.
Just as I suspected, Ollie was shocked to see Lottie,
and thought Gigs had grown so much, too.
We drove over to President cousin Bingham's house where
he released Oliver as a full-time missionary.
It was such a sacred experience, with plenty of really good
It was such a sacred experience, with plenty of really good
counsel, wisdom, and advice as Ollie re-enters life and his next chapter.
We took Ollie to Culver's- a Nielson staple
where he enjoyed "good ketchup and Coke."
We caught up, talked, laughed, and I cried so many tears
of pure joy just knowing we're all together!!
We went home, where he unpacked and took a nice long shower.
I started the laundry, and Christian built a fire and made a delicious
charcuterie board, then we sat around and talked until 9:00 when we
all packed back in the car and drove to the airport to pick up Jane!
At last, WE ARE ALL TOGETHER!
(Except Gigs was missing in this photo because he was
sitting in the car so we wouldn't get towed)
We got home around 11:30 PM, and I cut up vegetables to
snack on and dip in hummus while we caught up again.
We also enjoyed Ollie's Brazilian treats.
He literally packed ten pounds of treats home in his suitcase.
(And paid a $50 baggage weight fee).
Ollie got out all the gifts he had brought for each of us, including
a pair of the famous Brazilian flips for all!
We finally went to bed at 3:30!
