Dear Family,
This has been a highly anticipated and very eventful week.
Grandma Sparks flew in on Monday and we have been working on updating the Sorenson family history and printing two copies of a very large book, which includes 2995 individuals and the stories of the lives of a few of our precious ancestors.
We have been working to get the home in order, including planting bushes, trees and flowers. Mom decorated the inside in the “welcome home” motif in anticipation of Michael's return home.
Thursday we picked up Maureen and kids to meet Ryan, who went directly from work in Dearborn, to meet Michael at the airport. The airport had closed the old terminal and opened a new one so we were a bit confused for a while, but thanks to a kindly shuttle bus driver, we finally got to the right spot and found Michael. We went directly to the Stake Center and Michael met with President Lantz, who released Michael as a missionary. On the way home we stopped and had Rio Wraps for a quick dinner. We came home to find a welcoming committee of nine of Michael's school friends who had decorated the deck with balloons, posters and streamers. We quickly organized an impromptu party for his friends with pizza, chips and soda pop. Ryan & Maureen and later Jim & Vanessa and their tribes came to welcome Michael home. Michael along with socializing with friends, performed the “huka”, which he learned from the Pacific island missionaries. It was a happy time for all.
Friday afternoon and evening, we attended the wedding and reception of Jim's sister Julie to Dan Chaves, complete with the Polish, American and Colombian sides of the families. So there was a certain Latin flare in the attendees and the festivities, which included a Mariachi band.
At 8:00 am Sunday morning we took Michael and Grandma Sparks to the Stake Center for Michael to report his mission to the high council. It was touching and profound. Sunday evening we had an open house with snacks for family and friends to welcome Michael home. We ended up having quite a big and fun crowd.
We are grateful for our numerous blessings, specially the safe arrival of Grandma and Michael's return from a faithful and truly wonderful mission.
We love you all, Mom & Dad
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