June 26th was a most happy day for our family. A dear brother, son, cousin, and friend came home from his 2-year mission for the church. James served in the Uruguay Montevideo mission and had a most wonderful time serving the Lord and his children there. 
We had a fun time meeting him at the airport. Jimmy and I actually surprised him by showing up at all. He had been told we wouldn't be able to make it because I didn't get work off in time. (It was a small miracle, a tender mercy, that I was able to find someone to work for me last minute.) We even made him a candy bar poster to have the Bejaranos give him in our stead. As he was reading the poster, we snuck up behind him--it was a great moment and I smothered him with a big hug.
Here is just part of the group that was there to meet him at the airport. Afterwards the whole group of us (probably around 25-30 people) went to Golden Corral to celebrate. James, who was still an Elder at this point, found the sites and sounds of the city a bit different than his beloved Uruguay, but was totally stoked to be with his family, as were we to be with him. It was great to be able to just talk with him, ask him questions, and hear his accent. (He wasn't used to speaking in English yet, and maybe still isn't even a few weeks later.)
Next we went to our home in Heber were a 'home makeover' had been taking place over the last few weeks. Mom, Carlos and the girls had been working on various projects throughout the house (like remodeling the kitchen and basement) for the last couple of months in the hope of having things nice for James when he got home. An angel in their ward (Amber Sission--the same who put together our wedding shower and luncheon) got a group of other ward members to help out. The week before James came home they were painting, cleaning, weeding, planting flowers, laying tiles, etc. It was such a blessing, especially for my sweet mom who always seems to have a little too much on her plate (only because she is constantly in the service of other people.)
We had a great time looking at pictures and souveneirs he had brought from Uruguay. Here is a very interesting cup used for a traditional South American herbal tea. The outside is made of a cow hoof.Since James has been home we've had fun spending time together. I went down to Heber to see him most of the weekend he was home, we saw him over the 4th of July, and got to go see the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house with him last week.
