Home Sweet Home

Elder Denny Blodgett
1 day ago
3 min read

After being gone a year and even spending a week in Kenya, we are now back home, and it has been very nice to see all of our family and friends once again. We still have Chad and Brett’s family to see, but that day will come. We also have some catching up to do with friends, but we are now looking forward to beginning a new chapter in our lives.

We will never forget Ghana. It was exactly what Jill and I had hoped a mission would be like. We loved the people, we loved our assignment, our responsibilities, and the interaction we had with all the missionaries. They are all wonderful! The pictures below are showing the family at the airport. And then some of activities over the last few days. And finally, all of us at church. Families are the best and I am so grateful for all my wonderful kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids….. that Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Probably the most important lesson from reunions is reminding me of what I value the most….the family. When I saw all of my kids and grandkids, it once again reminded me of the eternal perspective of everything. Although we were gone for just one year, we missed them all terribly. Now we are home and get to be with them anytime we want. I love the idea that Families are Forever.

Saying goodbye to the good people of our Mission, the missionaries, and the people of Ghana remind me sadly that I may never see them again….in this life. That is why the Plan of Happiness is so powerful and meaningful to me. I will have the chance to meet and renew friendships once again in the years to come…..and in the next life. We met Gilbert……the young man who joined the church…..and it was sad to say goodbye, but we are so very grateful that we were able to meet him and that Jill was able to introduce him to the church. Someday Gilbert might be out serving a mission and sharing the joy and happiness he now feels with others.

Perhaps the most important lesson from reunions….which we are now having…..and endings…..which we experienced two weeks ago as our mission ended.….is that change is a natural part of life. People come into our lives; journeys begin and eventually chapters close. While we cannot stop endings from happening, we can choose how we respond to them. We can carry memories forward, maintain meaningful connections, and remain open to future reunions. They are both part of the same cycle of human experience. Reunions remind us of what we value, and endings remind us not to take those things for granted. Together they teach us gratitude and being thankful for all the good people in our lives that have had an impact on who we have become. I look forward to reunions in heaven someday to visit once again friends and family members that have passed on. I know that will be a reality…..I know it to be true…..it is part of the Plan of Happiness that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has provided for each of us.

I want to thank all of you who have been so kind in sending me private text messages and emails about the things that were written in this Blog and your comments about the pictures and videos I shared. I have enjoyed writing and sharing and it has now become a “journal” for me of my life in Ghana. It was an amazing adventure for Jill and I…..especially at our age. We would recommend it to anyone…..giving of your time, your experience, and your love and friendship is what life is all about. Good luck to all of you.