dan's homecoming sunday

Two days after arriving home, Dan reported his mission to the Tuscany Ward Congregation.  What made it extra special was that his cousin Jesse was giving his farewell talk before leaving to serve in the Toronto Ontario Mission.   Dan did such a great job speaking about his experiences in Micronesia Guam and sharing his testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Our Stake President, Steve Miller, was in attendance and went home and told his wife that Dan gave the best homecoming talk he has ever heard from a returned missionary.  It was clear that Dan had served faithfully and was diligent as a missionary.  After church we invited all our friends and family over to our house, including the Massey's for a celebration dinner.  Feeling incredibly blessed today!

HE'S FINALLY HOME!!!

The day was finally here that my boy would be back home with us.  I had been counting down how many sleeps for weeks.  He had a very long flight, close to 24 hours.  He flew to Hawaii, San Francisco, then Calgary.   The weather was terrible that day, so bad that Grandpa Rosenvall could not drive up from Cardston because of bad roads.   We had plenty of friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, and bishops join us to welcome him home.  He was very tired and overwhelmed when he came through the gates.  I was the first one to get to hug him and it was wonderful.   You could tell it was something new for him to receive hugs from all the ladies and he wasn't very comfortable with that, he preferred to shake everyone's hand in true missionary style.   He loosened up after a couple hours and we had a great weekend together as a family where he could share with us in more detail all the great experiences he had serving the Lord in Micronesia Guam.

As a mother, I can not adequately put into words the feelings of seeing a son return home from honorably serving a mission.  Dan had a difficult start in life with an uncertain future.  I remember always praying that he would be able to grow up and be well enough to serve a mission.  And that he did...and he did it very well.  I love you to the moon and back Dan!  You are my hero and I look up to you in so many ways.  Thank you for setting such a great example for Emily, Scott, your Dad and I.

areas of service

LAST EMAIL HOME!

sidenote: Can't believe Dan will be home on Friday. We are all very excited to be reunited. We are flying Emily home from BYU to surprise him. It wouldn't be the same if she wasn't here for his homecoming. He is flying home on United Airlines from San Francisco, Friday, November 9th at 1154 am. Everyone is welcome to join us. He is speaking in church this Sunday at Royal Oak Chapel 9:00 am. I received this email from Jim Redd, father of dan's good friend Peter. He and Karyn have always been so good to Dan. We were sad that they miss seeing Dan by just a couple days, they are starting their mission to Thailand this week.

Hi Julie,
We attended sacrament meeting at the MTC today so we could meet with the sisters and elders going to our mission-we enter the MTC tomorrow. In their ward was a group of missionaries going to the Guam Micronesia mission. They leave tomorrow, so they would just catch, or just miss, Dan. Neat!
Jim


Hey mom,

This is going to be very short. I am feeling wierd that this is my last week as a missionary. I actually cried in church yesterday! It is going to be sad to say goodbye to everyone.

Elder Johnson is training a new missionary so I am going to be with Elder Fisher for a couple of days. We are going to Rommanum today. We went to a lighthouse but this huge storm came in.

We will have lots to talk about when I get home. I can't wait to see you!

Would you mind putting some money in my account for luggage and food?

It is going to be a very long flight home....20 hours.

see you later (in person),

Love Elder Kearl

here is some photos of my last goodbyes

Me and President Andes family, me and a kid from mechitiw, me and Elder Johnson, Me and Kypow, JT, Bitor and Nuno. Also With President Wainis's family

request for his first meal home

sidenote: dan is home in 11 sleeps! i am so excited i can hardly stand it.

Dear Mom

I am doing good! So much to say but I have very little time.

I appreciated hearing about the temple dedication. I am looking forward to attending the temple soon. Very neat you were all able to go inside the temple for it, including shane.

We almost had our bikes stolen, it's a funny story that I will tell you when I get home!

We had two baptisms this week. Jess Abraham was baptized and also Elder Katas 8 year old sister Emmeline. I want to show you all the pictures when I get home.

I'm excited for you to make me dinner that evening. I would like mashed potatoes and gravy. Anything will be better than what I have been making. I can't wait.

I am going to Romanum for my last pday and that will be the last time I email you!! The next time we communicate it will be face to face! I am looking forward to seeing you.

I am going to give most of my stuff to members before I leave. Is that Ok with you?

I gotta go, love you, see you

Elder Kearl

"i kinda want to see a doctor and a dentist when i get home"

sidenote: no shower for 4 days and not a lot of drinking water makes this mama very anxious to have her boy home....18 more sleeps! yipee!!!! most of you know that making quilts is one of my favorite things to do. i found this fabric that has an island theme with bikes and airplanes (he flew lots from island to island and rode bikes in Chuuk) mixed into so i made dan a quilt as a remembrance of his service in micronesia. i tried my best to make it more 'manly' by using a grey background and binding it in black. however, i am told it is juvenile looking. i don't care, i know dan will love it and appreciate the time i put into it.

Dear Mom

I think it's funny that you are counting down for me coming home by how many sleeps are left. It's hard to believe I will be home so soon.

I received your package with the shoes and treats. Thank you very much, my companion and I especially loved all the chocolate you sent.

I am doing great! Those baptisms aren't until saturday. We are excited and it will be Jovovicks first time conducting a baptism.

I haven't showered in 4 days. The water ran out and there are problems with the pump. Also there is not alot of drinking water to go around to everyone. I kinda want to see a doctor and a dentist when I get home. Can you book appointments for me?

I am loving being a missionary and serving in Chuuk,

Hope all is well with you guys,

Love Elder Kearl

short and sweet but an amazing picture make up for it

sidenote: With Emily starting university next fall there has been much discussion between Derek and I about what we are able and willing to do as parents to help our kids obtain an education in a reasonable, fair and equitable manner. I have tried to not ask Dan too many questions about what his plans are for when he gets home from his mission. As of right now, he has been accepted to BYU for January 2013 but other schools have not been rule out. Yesterday, I felt very impressed that I needed to share with Dan what Derek and I had agreed upon. When I received Dan's email I was reminded of how aware the Lord is of each of us. It assured to me the importance to share our thoughts and feelings with others when we feel prompted, even if we don't know why. I had no way of knowing that Dan was thinking about this very thing too.

Hey Mom

How are you? I am doing fine! Ben got confirmed this week by Elder Cook! We were really happy and its nice to know that the ward is behind it! I have never actually been then one who has never done the actual ordinance yet! MY next transfer is next week on the wendsday 26 0r 27 I beilieve! That is so exciting about Grandma and Grandpa and sad too I know they will have fun! The new senior couple is coming in today! It is very exciting the assitants met them and last night they told us that they are very awesome and very nice. We are so happy that we wil have some they will really help the ward they are excited. Thats so crazy about the Stanfords call I know they will be very good missionaries and will have fun.

I was very touched by what you said about my schooling. It means alot to me that you are willing to sacrifice so that I am more able to get an education. Wierd thing is I was thinking about this last night and I was considering delaying school so I could work to gwet some money but then a thought came in to my mind don't worry you will be take care of with that. One thing that I have been able to improve is on using my money wisely and thrifty! I am not perfect at it but I have learned some tricks on how to save money and use it wisely. I use sacred funds wisely.

I love you all and hope you are able to recieve blessings that Heavenly Father has in store.

Love Elder Kearl