Homecoming Sunday

Today Luke got to give his homecoming talk and it was seriously amazing.  It was so great to see his growth in confidence- he looked like a pro up there.  He spoke on how he strengthened  his relationship and testimony of Christ. He spoke with Leia Alvord who also just returned from her mission.  Fun fact, they were baptized on the same day.  After his talk we all went back to our home to enjoy some yummy food.  It was so fun to see all of the family and friends that came to support him.  It is such a blessing to have him home.

Sibling Fun

Growing up, the kids loved to watch a show called Drake and Josh.  A few weeks ago, Harlee found out that Drake Bell would be coming to Utah to do a concert.  The four oldest decided to go together to the concert and I was so excited.  I love that they get to spend time together making memories.  They had a great time even though they only knew a few of the songs.  Love that they took an obligatory photo for their mom.  

The gangs all back together...

I slept so good last night knowing all of my babies were under the same roof!  We had a fun family day planned and I could not wait.  We let every skip school and Joey and I took the day off work.  We slept in a little and then went to breakfast at Kneaders.  We wanted to enjoy a full circle moment as this is where we ate for our last meal together before Luke left.  I have to admit that it was a bit more enjoyable today than the last time!  After breakfast we went to Top Golf for some more family fun.  It was seriously the best feeling to all be together.  After some golfing and Tag opting to try a donut hole (what?) we went to our favorite family restaurant, Goodwood.  So perfect!  We headed home so that our missionary could get released.  It was such an amazing experience.  The stake president asked Luke to share his testimony and asked for part of it to be in Creole.  What a beautiful moment.  I am so proud of Luke.  I just know that he has so many wonderful things coming to him and will be so blessed for his two years of diligent service.  Luke is such an example to all of us and I am beyond grateful to have him home.

Even better than I had dreamed...

He's HOME!  I cannot believe it.  His flight was to land at 8:51pm but around 7pm I checked the flight status and it was early.  He was now supposed to land at 8:29pm.  I hurried and let everyone know and we rushed to get to the airport.  We arrived a little after 8pm and greeted family and friends as they arrived.  This is really happening!  Luke messaged me as soon as he landed around 8:30pm and by 8:48pm I was getting my hug.  One of the best moments.  Luke looks amazing!  So happy!  We were there for about 40 minutes while he chatted with all of the people that came to support him.  He had friends from his mission, his friends from high school, and so much family.  I am so thankful for everyone that supported him during his mission and tonight.  We stopped at McDonalds on the way home and then stayed up chatting for a while.  It felt so amazing to have all of my blessings under one roof.  I will sleep so good tonight.  So proud of this son of mine!

Getting ready for the big night!

Joey was so nice to take off work today and he worked so hard around the house.  My work is so busy and it was such a blessing for Joey to cross everything off my wish list so that Elder Childs could come home to a spotless house.  The kids worked hard to make posters to welcome their brother home.  Feels so surreal and I could not be more excited.  Only a couple more hours...

Twin Day

Yesterday Gray told me that it was twin/triplet day at school and asked if it was ok if we went shopping with Cole that night.  He ended up buying a $60 very bright outfit.  They had fun wearing them to school today and then even more fun when they returned them afterschool and got their money back.  So funny!  Love that Gray has amazing friends that love to do fun things together.

Last Pday- Coming home week

 Today is Luke's last Pday!  Seriously?  I cannot believe it.  I am going to just post his email because it was AMAZING!

Areas and Companions:

1. Paterson, New Jersey (January 3rd, 2023 - March 28th, 2023)

    - Elder Mower & Elder Pollei

2. Woodbridge, New Jersey (March 28th, 2023 - August 3rd, 2023)

    - Elder Church & Elder Watkins

3. East Orange, New Jersey (August 3rd, 2023 - November 3rd, 2023)

    - Elder Everton & Elder Christoffersen

4. Princeton, New Jersey (November 3rd, 2023 - January 19th, 2024)

    - Elder Nucum & Elder Lindstrom

5. Morristown, New Jersey (January 19th, 2024 - April 15th, 2024)

    - Elder Greenwood & Elder Nickle

6. Elizabeth, New Jersey (April 15th, 2024 - July 4th, 2024)

    - Elder Rogers

7. Irvington, New Jersey (July 4th, 2024 - December 12th, 2024)

    - Elder Galindo & Elder Egan

Like I have said in the majority of my recent emails, I cannot believe how fast this mission has gone. Where did all the time go? Just yesterday I was flying into New Jersey, starting off in Paterson and I blink & now It's over. 

This will probably be a pretty sappy email. Grab your tissues, or get ready to send me messages to grow up, either one. 

Real quick, these past couple of weeks have been awesome so for those who are interested in that, here ya go! 

The Rundown™

- Our friends Michaelle & Gamael got baptized on December 1st. They are the coolest people ever. It was honestly a miracle that we found them, but since being baptized, they have grown a strong love for sharing the gospel. Gamael joined us one day to go out street contacting in the freezing cold, and he's honestly a better missionary than I am! He was inviting everyone we saw to get baptized, and he continued to tell me & Elder Egan how grateful he was to be baptized. 

- We have been working with a lot of awesome people, been a huge blessing of this area. 

- I gave my departing testimony (most nerve-wracking experience ever) and had my final zone conference. Was very bitter sweet, saw a lot of awesome missionary homies and said goodbye to a lot of people. 

- I went on a trip to the Statue of Liberty with the Departing missionaries. For sure got some homies in that group, so it was super fun. The night before, we stayed at our Mission President's house and had a testimony meeting & received some wisdom and council from President & Sister Durrant. The Statue of Liberty was super cool too, overall fun way to spend a P day. 

- I went to the Temple with a few missionaries, and the Temple is such an amazing place. I'm so grateful for the Temple & the ordinances performed in them. 

- Today, Sunday the 8th, our homie Rodini was baptized. He is such a dawg, and he was so excited to follow Christ's example. 

Now, I'd like to take a little while and just let you all know how much this opportunity to serve a mission has meant to me. I, as mentioned earlier, gave my departing testimony to some missionaries at Zone Conference and during that, I shared a little bit about my final interview with President Durrant. We talked a lot about the mission, the growth, the ups and downs, and all of that. He then asked me a question, "How much money would someone have to pay you to sell this whole experience, all the growth, all the joy, all of it?". We discussed and came to the conclusion that the mission is priceless. There is no amount of money I'd take to give away any of this. To echo the words of Elder Holland, my mission has meant everything to me.

There were many times on my mission where I felt inadequate, useless, imperfect, and all other bad feelings that the adversary tried to use to get me down. However, those experiences pale in comparison to the joy I've found out here in New Jersey. Who would've thought that you'd be able to find so much love, joy, and peace, Especially in New Jersey of all places. I know that through Jesus Christ, I have been able to endure and become someone that I couldn't have become on my own.

I couldn't recommend my mission enough, I have learned so much & I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served. I'm so grateful for my mission leaders, President & Sister Durrant, all of my companions, all of the recent converts I've had the privilege of helping come closer to Christ, and especially for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I want to bear you all my witness that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior and redeemer. Now, when I say that, I am not talking about some figure, or some idea, but Jesus Christ is our real, living Savior. I have come to know this essential truth out here on my mission, through teaching, through testifying, and especially through the Book of Mormon. 

2 Nephi 33:10-11

"10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. 

11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness."

I love my Savior Jesus Christ, I love the Book of Mormon, and I love the people of New Jersey. 

My homecoming is this upcoming Sunday, the 15th at 1 PM. 2030 W Chapel Ridge Rd, Lehi, UT 84043. 

Until then, Elder Childs out

Finishing strong...

Elder Childs promised an email on his last Pday so this week it was quiet also.  But today was Luke's big trip to the Statue of Liberty.  Last night, all of the missionaries that will be going home this transfer spent the night at the mission president's home.  They had a testimony meeting and then they stayed up late hanging out.  Today they went to the Statue of Liberty.  Luke had a great time and cannot believe his time in NJ is winding down.  Love this tradition his mission has.