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Day 386 - July 17, 2017 We made it to Bentonville, Arkansas.  Our little Grace was the perfect hostess.   Brian and Shelby weren't bad either.   It was great fun seeing in person this little one that we've looked at by FaceTime since she was born.  She is a smiler and a waver.  She loves watching Moana and rarely moves from the spot she sits to watch it.  Below Grace and Calli were enjoying  the entertainment.  Bentonville has some incredible cultural exhibits.  There is a Crystal Bridges Museum which is outstanding.  On the right is an incredible likeness of a man.  Even the hair on his head was perfect.      This was an interesting display of apple flavored candy. Below is the explanation of this art.     “We need our own space to think and digest what we see. And we also have to trust the viewer and trust the power of the object. And the power is in simple things.”  —Felix Gonzalez Torres A strip of hard green candies individually wrapp
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Day 385 - July 16, 2017 There were moments while in the Philippines that I thought about what I would possibly say when I returned home to express the love that I've felt while serving in these wonderful people. I suppose I concluded that the talk would be a difficult task and it would be best to simply share a few experiences and my testimony.  We were assigned to speak about keeping the commandments.  This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  Hopefully as Scott and I spoke, the members felt of our passion and our conviction for obedience.  We enjoyed the experience of speaking to our home ward and received many gracious and kind comments.      
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   Day 384 - July 14-15, 2017 On Friday Brian flew in to be with us for the weekend.  It was good to see him and can't wait to see our little Gracie.  She and Quinn are the only babies we haven't seen yet.  Brian was great to help around the house getting things back together.  On Saturday morning we went near the Chicago airport to meet with one of our returned missionaries.  The timing didn't work out so I took the car back home to an appointment I had.  Scott and Brian took the train home.  They stopped in the city to remember the sites and sounds of Chicago since it had been three years.  The two of them had a great father-son morning and did a little ministering along the way.  Family and returned missionaries turn out to be our highest priority in this time of life.  
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Day 380-382 - July 13, 2017 Let's just say that the next few days were those of frustration and overwhelm.  It wasn't until we finally said, "Let's drop everything and go to the temple" that we felt peace and calm with life.  Our returned missionaries would always tell us how difficult the transition is in returning home, now I understand a little better what they were going through.  I don't want to overstate the challenge.  We are living a very good life with many blessings.  But adjustments are necessary and not everything goes as planned. (Sounds a lot like the first several months when we started our mission).  The Lord knows what he's doing with his children.  We are learning His will and His way. 
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Day 379 - July 10, 2017                                         At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning we arrived at our home in Naperville.  Another wash of emotion fell upon us.  We were tired from traveling but rejuvenated with an enthusiasm for next steps.  My good friend, Lisa, welcomed us with balloons and notes all over the front door.  Our home looked so well kept.  Our friends who stayed here while we were gone took tender loving care of it.  It's good to be home!
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Day 378 - July 9, 2017 The next 24+ hours was spent on the road, catching a few hours sleep, Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming and more time driving and experiencing the landscape of the west and midwest.  My instagram post was, "Same moon; different hemisphere.  Still magical." #goinghome #chicagoland #nextadventure    
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Day 377 - July 8, 2017 Before driving back to Illinois, we had to stop and see our Koudelka crew in Boise!  Although we didn't have a long visit, it was enough time to share a meal with, see their new home, talk and play games with.  It was a boost to our hearts to hug another family of ours!  Can't wait until we're all together again.       Grandpa playing tick-tock!   Three years means a lot of growth!  Isaac, Lolo, Lola, Claire, Sadie and Liv. God made us family!
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