Another year has passed us by! There are times when it seems like we have just walked out of the Orlando Temple with grins that stretched across our whole faces. But in actuality we've experienced so much during married life. People said to watch out for that first year, but our biggest moments of trial didn't appear until later.
    But it's still been so good, so so good. The difficult bits can be deflected when you're bound to a quipster. I still can't get over how much more fun life is with Graham by my side. He is my eternal beacon of hope, determination and goofiness. He really does make me feel like I can get through anything and I need that. 3 married years. Are we even newlyweds anymore? ;) Thanks for everything you do for our family, G! It certainly doesn't go unnoticed and unappreciated. I admire you in so many ways and feel proud to be your companion. You've been my greatest asset in dealing with the hard times and helping me realize the good, there truly is so much of it. You are my best friend in all the world, simply a gem. Compliments abound because I think you deserve them; I love you forever & a day. Happy 3rd anniversary.
 



                          

Sister Listi Mizell's Homecoming

          

   When Listi initially told me about her desire to go on a mission to describe myself as 'floored' wouldn't quite give the correct description. As a little girl I used to tell anyone who would listen that I couldn't wait to be a LDS Missionary, and especially hoped to get a call to Salt Lake City. I can't think of a single time I heard Listi express that. But that's how the Spirit works- we are all called in unique and important ways, individual to us, even if it comes as a surprise.  

    Anyways, so she announced it, we prepped for a letter opening and anxiously awaited to see how it would unfold. The Arizona Tucson Mission, English speaking, leaving in 8 weeks. Everyone kicked it into high gear to soak in as much of her as possible. Then when our time was spent, Mama and I flew with her to the Missionary Training Center. As we soaring across the skies heading home without her I said, "Can you believe that we are actually leaving her on the other side of the country by herself?" Mama snapped back, "Hush, I can't think about it right now."

    Suddenly Monday was a treasured day as we'd look forward to emails and pictures from her. We'd get the privilege of following along with her new friends' conversion stories, we'd gasp and giggle when she old us about crazy situations she put herself in (falling off her bike or skinning a squirrel, for starters). From the outside looking in, I could see so much growth in her as a young adult. Her testimony shined through. Once, a family member told me that they were enjoying the world that they had never seen through my eyes- I was kind of taken aback. After all, how can you do that without seeing it for yourself? But through Listi's Missionary journey it finally clicked. I realized that as I told everyone I knew that I was living vicariously through my sweet sister, she was fulfilling a dream for the both of us. (My life is a series of 'it comes full-circle.')

    After her final phone call home, Christmas 2015, February 17th came about faster than I thought it would. 18 months had truly ran on by without our realizing. Her hair had grew back, her knowledge of the Gospel had increased tenfold and emotions were everywhere. She wanted to be home, but she also didn't. I understand that to a degree; she told me, "I finally got put on the path to my divine potential." As someone who loves her, my heart could have burst with sheer pride. 

    But that specific chapter of hers, though as incredible as it was, had to come to an end; she had to come home. Of course, she was happy about coming home too! She knew she had a small legion of loved ones waiting to greet her. She packed everything of hers up, for the final time, and caught a plane heading for Georgia. While she was en route everyone was a little panicky- not out of fear of an accident but nervous beyond belief! We arrived at the airport over 2 hours early, just in case ;) There was so many of us, and almost everyone held a homemade sign, that people began to ask what the big deal was- We've spent an incredibly long and hard 18 months with minimal contact from a 20 year old; we missed holidays, her birthday and the simple daily things in her life. She did a fantastic thing, but we want to see her! Right now!

    When she came out of that terminal it was so significant- she was a Returned Missionary. She had preached the Gospel in a car, on a bike, on foot, in homes, outside, in the blazing hot sun and with the slightest touch of snow. She shared bedrooms with girls she had never before met, in cities she had never visited, in the best of times and worst of times. She sacrificed weddings, births, special events, going to school, going on dates and all in between. She battled homesickness, depression, ADHD and came out victorious. She used the hardest 18 months of her life to better the lives of other people. It's impossible for me to reiterate what an example she set for me by taking on this difficult task and doing a bang up job. 

    Her homecoming was a glorious day for out family. Not a single person could contain their excitement. Our first Sister Missionary was already back home to us! We all united, yet again, for someone we admire. And boy oh boy do we love her!