Returned with honor.

I feel extra lucky.  My only brother, Jesse, came home safely from his mission this week!  I was able to give him a great-big-giant-bear-hug!!!  I can't really explain how much this meant to me.  As I saw him round the corner to greet us at the airport, my stomach did all kinds of flips and I just couldn't contain my excitement.  I felt like I was a kid again on Christmas morning, but on steroids.  I have missed him so much, although I wouldn't have wanted him to be in any other place.  He was exactly where he needed to be! He sacrificed a lot to go and serve.  He put his life on hold for two years, put his college education on hold, used all of his savings, left the comforts and conveniences of home and America, left his family and friends behind, and although it was often a treacherous and scary road, he always had a willing attitude and was happy to be serving.  He learned the important lesson of putting all of your faith in Jesus Christ and that He will always deliver.  Endurance...a good life lesson.  

I feel lucky because my brother and I have an extra special bond, we always have.  I feel as if he is almost like my own son since there is such a large age gap between us.  I left home and got married when he was just a little pip-squeak and I've been lucky to have watched him stretch and grow through every phase of his life.  He has never, ever, let me down.  He is simply the best little brother I could have ever asked for. Period. Although he is only 21, he is my big example in life.  He is a spiritual GIANT, yet he will still get down on the floor and play legos, video games, or build forts with my kids at the drop of a hat.  They admire him more than he'll ever know.  I am beyond proud of the man he has become.  He has changed lives and he has left an eternal imprint on the people he was able to serve.  It has been so much fun hanging out with him the last few days and hearing all of the stories of his time serving the people of Brazil.  It is fascinating to hear about the culture down there.  Things seem to be night and day from the comforts of America.  It is amazing to see him appreciate the simple act of getting a drink of water out of the faucet, having sturdy walls to sleep inside, taking a hot shower without having to wear sandals, not worrying about getting your watch and wallet stolen at any given minute, listening to music, catching up on the newest and best movies from the past two years, talking on the phone, playing XBox, getting on the computer.  He was even grateful to buy a bag of Dorito's and eat Twinkies at WalMart. The simple joys.  It was fun to see him eat all his favorite foods that he's missed the past two years.  It is amazing to hear him speak Portuguese so fluently.  He speaks the language flawlessly and occasionally he will slip in a word of Portuguese during a conversation without even realizing it or forgetting how to phrase something in English.  The inflection in his voice has changed.  I'm curious how long that will last.  He was completely immersed in the language and culture down there.  He said he was one of them for 2 years.  He didn't feel different from the Brazilian people.  My parents were able to go to Brazil to pick him up and they said the Brazilian people were just crazy about him.  They threw him going away parties with the very little money they had, and they cried as they said their 'Good-byes'.  He touched so many lives and brought light back to so many people who felt lost and alone. 

He spoke in church yesterday and I wish I could have written down every single word he said.  It was the best talk I've ever heard. Phenomenal. The chapel was PACKED. All the way through the chapel, the overflow, and all the way to the very back of the gym.  He spoke with the spirit, he had no talk written out, he just spoke from his heart, yet it was one of the most powerful talks I've ever heard.  He has grown from a boy to a man in two short years.  I hope my children follow in his footsteps because this mission has done wonders for him, mentally and spiritually.  I am in awe.  We love you Elder Jesse Smidt!!!! 

 "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"  

 The welcoming crew! He came home in the middle of the day on a Thursday, so the kids were thrilled to skip out of school early.  Some couldn't leave work and school, but we had a pretty good group of family that could make it there! It was a fun reunion!

He was on the United flight from Denver!

 JESSE!!!!!!!!!!

Tears of joy!

KJ's hero is home!!!

Meeting his newest niece for the first time!

This was a great moment!

The first meal back in the states, he wanted a carne asada burrito!  I thought it was funny that he didn't want pizza or a burger, but he said he missed mexican food the most!  He said the food in Brazil is very bland and he missed salsa the most.  :)  

 Home Sweet Home!

 His truck!!! 

 Even the dogs were excited to see him! 

My mom kept a scrap book of all current events and stuff that he sent home from Brazil.

Jason and Coley gave him this trunk the Christmas before he left.  Over the two years he was gone, people  in the family filled it full of stuff he missed out on while he was gone.  Hunger games, Avengers, Spiderman movies, XBox games, CD's, new chip flavors, etc. It was fun to see him open some of the fun stuff he's missed out on the past couple of years!