Homeward Bound

Elder Jones will be home very soon. The past two years seem to have gone incredibly quickly.  This last week, I finally finished getting Elder Jones' room is ready to welcome him home this! I want my son's room to reflect the best parts of these past two years he has served in Mexico and to inspire him to keep the momentum going and to move forward with faith.

 This is Josh's bed. It has a new mattress and a Mexican blanket and Mexican flag pillow cases.

The picture of New York was something Josh had on his wall before his mission.  He has loved New York City since we visited there in 1999 when he was three. Since the two towers were standing then, Josh asked for the picture of the pre 9/11 skyline.  New additions to this wall are the collage with pictures from his mission, and the bulletin board for "Mission Memories."

Here is a close up of the biggest collage.  There are two other collages with pictures of his mission now hanging on his wall.  He has made so many wonderful memories.

This is one of two meaningful pictures of the Savior in his room now.  I love this picture of Jesus embracing a young man.

 This is the entrance to Josh's room. The "Enjoy the Journey" sign is new.

When Josh was in high school and went to visit his Grandma Jones one year, she told him that he reminded her of her husband, Josh's grandpa. Josh never met his Grandpa Jones.  He passed about four year before Josh was born, but Josh wanted these pictures on his wall to remind him that he is like his grandpa, who was a fine man -- a good husband and father to his family.  He was a great role model for my son.  I have added another mission college an picture of the Gilbert Temple to this wall. The other items are Josh's Eagle Scout Certificate, Josh's Senior Picture and a collage of the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration which Josh participated in before his mission.

This is the "center piece"  picture of Jesus I chose.  You will recall that I asked all of my blog friends to weigh in on which picture would be best for a young man's bedroom.  After Charly and my blog friend Rita of Soul Comfort's Corner suggested that I ask my son which picture he liked best, I emailed each of the pictures to him and asked which one he thought was most inspiring. Josh said he liked this one, so this is the one we went with.

The size of this print that I wanted to get was almost $400, so we settled for a 5x7 with a nice mat and I framed it myself.  It is such a beautiful print and reminds us that when we feel like we need help or feel like we are drowning, there is One who will rescue us.

 Because Josh will be home soon, tonight Charly hung the "Welcome Home" banner.

 Our house is Stucco and most of the places we can hang things from are up high.  

We used some landscaping wire to secure the banner to some hooks that were already in the stucco.  It doesn't look great close up, but the message is sincere...

..and hopefully will help Josh know that he is loved and appreciated!  A good friend asked me if she could come and decorate our yard the day he comes home, so we are hoping that will help things look a big more festive and welcoming.   

This is the banner we will be taking to the airport. I also have a t-shirt with the same picture on it and we will have balloons as well.  It will be a happy homecoming!

Here is Josh's last Monday email home today. We couldn't be more pleased with this guy and the choices he is making in life.

Hey Guys, 

I made it to the point of writing you for the last time...I certainly look forward to walking at Discovery Park and driving you to work mom. I can't be any more grateful for my time and the people I met and have helped me. They will always have a place in my heart. More than anything, I am grateful for the family I have and the family I will have. I love them more than I can ever say. And yes mom, the boy we were teaching got baptized - a special treat for me and my companion because he also leaves the area. I am looking forward to telling you guys everything in person about the hard, scary, funny, interesting times of my mission. Thank you so so much for everything. For dinner now that you are offering Logans Roadhouse possibly but we will see.

Love you!!
Elder Jones