MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Friday, April 2, 2010

Elder Bradley Keith Sherwood was on a flight home to AMERICA after honorably serving a full-time 2-year mission. Our family was just a wee bit excited, if you couldn't tell, ha! We were so anxious to see our son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandson, cousin, and nephew.

The whole family plus Grandma Riggs, Grandma & Grandpa Sherwood, Aunt Alma, Golden, and Becky arrived at Sky Harbor airport on Phoenix, Arizona and anxiously watched for his flight information.

As soon as we knew his flight had arrived safely, Mom & Dad were perched at the very closest step they could be without security getting after them. Mom had announced days prior that she got the first hug and made sure we all knew that rule. :)

It seemed like we saw about 1,000 people pass by {whom we all greeted to America with the "Welcome Home" banner, haha}, but still no sign of Elder Sherwood. Every man in a suit and tie was spotted & then announced it wasn't him, and we later found out that Brad purposely was the very last person off the flight.

So after about 15 minutes of staring through the crowds of people, we got the first glimpse!!

It was finally Elder Sherwood!

Mom could hardly stand herself... :)

After Mom & Dad got their hugs, we all screamed and threw our arms around our SKINNY Elder Sherwood! That was the main thing everyone commented on- just how much weight he had lost in the recent months, and how tall he looked.

The 5 siblings reunited! No new nieces or nephews were born, but Alisse was pregnant with Lucy, and Shalae had a new husband (Russ) and 3 new step-daughters (Tayler, Kaitlyn, & Sophie)!

 Besides his 5 girls (4 sisters & Mom), these 5 little people were probably who Brad missed the most! Riggs was now 11, Jaxen 9, Ellie 6, Noah 5, and Roxy almost 4 years old. They sure missed their Uncle Brad and talked about him everyday of the 2 years he was gone!

And the whole crowd welcoming home our Elder Sherwood:

After the airport, we headed over to eat lunch at Bradley's request of his first "food American"... Texas Roadhouse!

He was so happy to have dressing on his salad, root beer, and food besides unseasoned rice and beans!

Alisse made this sign for him that we posted at the front of the neighborhood by Mom & Dad's house on Hampton and 32nd street. Funny thing is Google Translator led us astray and Brad said this didn't even mean Welcome Home in Portuguese, haha!! Oh well, it was the thought that counted, right? :)

After his first American meal in 2 years, we headed back to Mom & Dad's house where Bradley shared some souvenirs he brought back from Brazil for us. Brazilian currency, soccer jerseys, Brazilian flag towel, as well as drinks and sweets.

It was so fun to see and hear what is important and valued to the people of Brasil, and to hear Brad struggle just a little bit with some English words. :)

Just after that, Mom, Dad, and Brad headed over to the Stake Center for him to be released as a full-time missionary by President Clint Smith. A very bittersweet experience for all, I'm sure.

Brad took a nap after that, and I'm pretty sure watched some episodes of Smallville, haha. :)

Later that night, we had a get-together to celebrate Brad's homecoming at my parents' house. We didn't take many pictures, but there were many family members and friends who came (and all had to comment about how SKINNY he was!). We had a digital frame set up with all his pictures from the mission scrolling for people to see. It was so nice having him HOME!

 That weekend was General Conference, so Bradley got to relax and actually watch conference on TV at home. The next Sunday was both he & Elder Drew Romney's homecoming talks in Harmony Park Ward, Kimball Stake in Mesa, Arizona. We watched these boys grow up from babies to now returned missionaries. Needless to say, there were some VERY proud sisters and parents in the congregation eating up every word these two (now) men had to say about their amazing experiences in Mexico and Brazil. Especially proud were the Moms, of course. :)

What a relief it was to have Elder Brad Sherwood home safely. We know our family was so blessed and kept safe during the 2 years he was gone because of his sacrifice to serve The Lord. His selfless time in Brazil was such a great experience for all of us- our first immediate family member to serve a mission (because he was the only brother & the youngest). His testimony strengthens each of ours & we are SO PROUD to call him our Returned Missionary!