Guess what Kendahl-HE IS HOME!

Two years later here they are! Kendahl and Nate are together once again!

Elder Schott got home on July 18, 2012 after serving in the San Antonio, Texas mission. 

He flew in at 12:50 p.m. and was greeted by his family at the airport!

Got released at 7 and became Nate again.

Kendahl's story went a little like this-fasten your seat belts...it is going to be a long ride! :D

July 18, 2012

Alright so as most of you know no contact was made from the mish on the day of his return, I won’t lie that hit me REALLY hard. I would say I only half expected him to show up after he got released-thanks to the constant reminder from my mother who “assured” me he would. Well 7 came and nothing. 8 rolled around and still nothing. About 8:30 I gave up and watched a tv show. I will admit waiting to see him AFTER he is home is probably the hardest time I have had the whole two years he has been out! I headed to be at 9:30 and could not get to sleep.

July 19, 2012

Woke up every hour during the night I swear to check my phone (why I have no idea but I thought MAYBE he would have texted me) Ya no. Instead I just lost sleep haha. Then came killing the day trying to occupy myself. Went for an hour run which was awesome-gave me time to clear my head J Then I went and saw my grandma (painted her nails-good time killer!) Then I texted my friend who was actually due today so we’ve both been counting down, only my guy came home and no baby for her-but I still hadn’t seen him so we were both still anxious. I went over to her house and we sat and chatted as I did puzzles with one of her kids. Then we decided we’d not mope around all day and get out and do something. McDonald’s it is lol. Happy Meals for lunch and then we went bowling! I beat all her kids (Ya sure they may be 7,5, and 3 but it helped make me feel better lol) then we got back and we were sitting around chatting I get a text from his dad. BUT NO it is Nate asking me to come over for dinner :D I cried. HAHA!!! I waited a few minutes to respond (just because I didn’t want him to think I was waiting around with my phone attached to my hip-although I totally was haha) So in the meantime I texted my mom to see if it was ok if I go-her response “no you can’t I already made plans for us” I cried harder!!! So I collected myself and called her-I told her she better be kidding. She said she was-PHEW! Then I headed out to go home and get ready (this was at 3:30)…on my walk home I got a phone call from a random number-of course I had to answer it lol and YES IT WAS HIM :D He wanted to give me his number and ask me how my day was, he teased me about beating little kids (it was a bit weird but it was awesome to talk to him) Then I hurried home and jumped into the shower, changed and got ready. Picked my mom up at 4:30  then headed home, dropped her off then headed to his house

So I had thought maybe I should text him to let him know I was coming, but then I thought-eh I’ll surprise him. I pulled up and there is a lot of family in town so I parked a bit away. Walked up to the house. Knocked. Nothing. Rang the door bell. Still nothing. I thought maybe this was all a joke. I texted him to come open the door. Then I realized there was an open spot for my car so I run back and move it (figuring I would miss our moment because he would have walked outside) Yup still nothing. So here I am freaking out lol and I knock again…nothing. Finally I text his dad. Then about a min later (that waiting is the WORST) The door opens-it is his little sister who jumps into my arms as I see him walking down the stairs (not how I dreamed that moment would go lol) But then he came and gave me MY HUG :D AHHHH I was in heaven, I’ve missed those comforting arms around me! Then we went outside to the back patio where we sat and talked for HOURS with his family about stories from his mission. We started out sitting across from each other and I would catch him glancing at me and I couldn’t help but smile. Then at dinner time his dad gave me a cream soda…I had been drinking it and then went inside to help his bro out with something and I look outside and he has it (I wasn’t even mad ladies I was like HECK YES we are still good-baha) I get back and asked him if he took mine-he denied it with his smirk. I go to grab it and it is EMPTY that little stink drank it all!!!  Then he took the seat close to me..we still had the whole complete gospel doctrine between us lol. And we stayed like that until he left with his dad to go visit with our old Bishop. I got up to leave and they said to stay and they would be back soon. OK :)  So I sat and talked with his family! Then he got back and the grandparents and his siblings went to bed so his dad, mom, him, and I moved into the living room with couches. That was weird lol we haven’t sat there since we were a “lovey dovey” couple lol. So here we sit on our own couch cushion-which I am fine with since he needs to adjust. He told a few more stories, got a little closer to me and then we decided it was late and bed time was in order. So I started to walk out, he didn’t have his shoes on yet and goes “hey wait for me”-which was so ironic lol. So I did ;) And then he walked me to my car with his arm around me, thanked me for coming tonight and said how beautiful I looked (I think I couldn’t stop staring at him up close I wasn’t hearing much he was saying haha!) We stood there and talked for a few minutes, it was just like old times. He teased me about my height (by the way his first comment when he saw our picture was “man you look like you could be my little sister!” –ya that is EXACTLY what the girlfriend who waited two years wants to hear lol) He gave me a nice long hug. Then as he walked to the opposite side of me he grabbed my hand-pretty sure sparks flew or was that lightning…eh same diff (that is a BIG deal for us if you read my previous story lol) So I drove home with a BIG smile on my face! I got home and I texted him to say I was home and he said I love you and then we chatted about our scripture reading for tonight which was awesome to have him back to do that with J Then he asked what I was thinking about-I told him his smirk. I asked him and he said how beautiful you looked tonight :D I’m happy, it definitely isn’t the fairy tale ending I’d created in my mind, but it is our own version of our fairy tale! 

Joy for Jocelyn! July 3, 2012

So this is the LITTLE bit of deets that we have gotten from the lovely Jocelyn about her and her man ;)

"i love you all!! I am dead tired... so I will post more soon :) But as for the quick details haha... burnt myself with my curl iron today i had a fantastic burn on my cheek at the airport, he thought it was a freckle haha. Got the best hand shake of a life time ( he put his other hand on top so it was so cute kinda like holding hands ;)) And he told me he loved me a million times. I head to his house tomorrow afternoon and we will see how things go! He did tell me sorry that he couldn't give me a kiss at the airport... haha i think tomorrow will be fantastic. I will post my story ASAP after I learn to breathe again. Overall... FANTASTIC and ladies... they do come home! Love you!!"

And then a little bit later we managed to squeeze this from her-

"haha sorry i am at his house with family all this week! I will post my official story on Monday. Things are good though, he is really different but we are slowly getting back to normal. But were still in love... and I am totally in the 24 hr club haha."

Oo la la Jocelyn ;) We can't wait to hear the rest :D

Bri & Amanda

Ok children!!  Gather ‘round for story time!! :D

I guess the tradition is to start out with a background story!  SO!  Here I go…

I met Brian at a stake dance the summer of 2008.  We became such great friends over the next few months, and even though we were both dating other people, we felt a connection that was hard to explain.  We talked practically every day.  His family owns carwash that’s like a block away from my house, so after schools most days I would stop and talk to him while he was working!  We started dating in October that year.  It was on Halloween, and I went to the carwash before we both went to parties that night.  He was hugging me good bye, kissed my neck (so I kissed his neck back), then it happened!  THE MOST PERFECT FIRST KISS of my whole life!!  We were crazy about each other and shared many laughs, tears, milk shakes, and colds ;)  We had some problems with our families.  His parents thought I was holding him back and making it harder for him to leave on his mission.  My parents thought I would never make it two years and would Dear John him before the first year was up.  However, Brian and I KNEW we would make it to the end.  We always kept in mind that it might not work out when he got home, but I would still be available in case it does! 

First off I have to start this story of Amanda and Brian off with her first comment after meeting him for the FIRST time in TWO years!

It went something like this: He is perfect!! We are so in love! We don't kiss and tell though... At least not for tonight ;) the full detailed story will come soon :) but as for now, I have a boyfriend to dream about! :) :) :)

Now on to the story:

On June 2, 2010, Elder Brian Penrod entered the MTC.  Three weeks later he started his journey in the Dominican Republic, Santiago Mission!  He LOVED it there and had so many amazing experiences!  We sent emails to each other each week, and letters as often as possible!  There were a few hard times during the two years where things got rocky.  I wasn’t sure what would happen, but we pulled through.  We grew stronger together!  While he was away, I grew to be a strong, independent woman.  I dated a few guys and I’m so glad I did!  I learned what was really important to me and what I really wanted and needed in my future eternal companion.  I learned how to sew and cook (that boy wont be hungry when we get married haha.  I’m AMAZING at following recipes now!! LOL).  I lived for MYSELF and grew so much.  I focused on finishing up my degree and working to save up some money.  BUT the most important thing I did while he was away was develop a strong relationship with my Father in Heaven.  My testimony has grown, and I feel prepared for anything life has to offer.  Bring it on world haha!!

June 7, 2012 :D  He’s home!!!  I went on a church history tour with my parents and little brother for a week.  We visited a lot of sites in the eastern states (Winter Quarters, the John Johnson Farm, the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, the Kirtland Temple, etc).  Experience of a lifetime!  I felt really bad that I would miss him coming home and his homecoming talk on Sunday, but I decided it would be good to be away and give him family time.  I was on the bus on Thursday, checking my phone literally every 10 seconds!!  Finally, there was a text from his mom, with a picture….!!!  I opened it, smiled, and then instantly burst into tears!  But they weren’t the cute model type tears.  They were the kind where your face gets all nasty and wrinkled and you can’t breathe so you sit there and sound like a pig gasping for air.  Yup!  Everyone thought I had gone mad haha.  We texted back and for a little bit (and I mean LITTLE) for a few days, and then finally talked on the phone on Sunday night.  I flew home on Monday (June 11), got all cute and smelling good, went to my night class, and then headed over to his house!  I walked in the door and saw him standing there and about died!  Our first meeting up story is a little different.  His family had just gotten into an argument right before I showed up, so things were a bit tense.  However, he was there and I was with him.  It made everything better!  We ate dinner and talked and laughed and messed around and flirted and it was just perfect!  Then we went to my house so he could talk to my dad.  They have always been pretty close, so we went to visit for a bit.  After that we went to the pond near my house and talked.  We talked about everything that had gone on over the last 24 months, and things we were looking forward too.  It was so natural to be with him!  Honestly, in that moment, I felt as if he had never left.  Um also… 3 hour club!! ;)  He’s still got it haha

Being in a foreign land for two years has done wonders for that man.  He definitely left a boy and came home a man.  There are so many things that have changed about him, and each of them I love!  He is so sweet and romantic :)  Oh my gosh, I can’t even tell you how amazing it is to have him home.  I never thought I would see the day that I would be writing our story, but it’s here!!  Someone once said this and I loved it so much that I’m going to repeat it.  He doesn’t complete me.  He complements me.  I wouldn’t change the last two years for anything.  We are better together now.  It’s going to be so great to go to bed not wanting to cry myself to sleep!!  We are still crazy, head over heals in love.  It is so worth it!  BEYOND worth it!!  I don’t know what the future has in store for us, but as of right now we are content and happy and excited to see where the wind takes us :)

Congrats to Amanda & Brian-we love you Amanda and can't wait to see what happens next ;)

Allison

So it started a little like this:

"Um.... TOMORROW! At 1:15 pm he will be walking off that airplane and getting his luggage and seeing his family and.... Ahhhhhhh! :) :)"

Then it turned into this:

"14 hours and 42 minutes... But who's counting? ;)" [oh she totally was ;)]
Then it was THIS:
"GIRLS!! He lands in approximately 20 minutes!!! I am having a heart attack at this very moment... AHH! :) :) :) :)"
Oh with this photo once he landed :)
I know I know, I'm posting a lot... BUT HIS FLIGHT LANDED! (his flight originated in Des Moines but they picked him up in Minneapolis) :

He is home in Utah Allison!!! Congrats on making it through the crazy two years-we are all rooting for you and can't wait to hear all about it :)

BRITNI!!!!!

Britni-girlie you made it :) Two years seem like they have come and gone! :D In just a few short weeks you will be able to see your boy face to face (Can't wait to hear the details!!!) Congrats Britni!

Haley gets her man back!

From the words of Haley:  "Worth the wait :)"
Haley got to meet her RM outside of a restaurant (secret plan devised by his mom, clever lady!) and then got the hug she had been waiting two years for! Congrats Haley on getting your man back! :D

Here is the link to the youtube video she made of his homecoming! Enjoy! *caution-tissues may be needed because crying has been known to happen!*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCKZLtydlE4&feature=share

Shout out to Haley!!!!

Haley is getting her man back today!!!! WOOT WOOT! Can't wait to hear the story and maybe even get treated with a video ;) Good luck today Haley!