Jarom's Home!

What an awesome experience our family has had this week! These past two years, really, have been an experience. A wonderful, faith-building experience. We've laughed, we've cried, we've rejoiced, and we've worried. We wouldn't trade it for anything, and we know he wouldn't either.

Elder Odom's mission had been difficult. Typhoid, typhoid fever, E Coli, severe back pain, and possible intestinal parasites are only a short list of his "health" tribulations.

Elder Odom's mission had been miraculous. Countless baptisms, being spared for numerous typhoons, beautiful scenery, and heavenly people.

We initially received an itinerary for Elder Odom that would bring him home at the beginning of November. Heavenly Father planned differently and we had him come home on Tuesday, October 21st at 7:50pm. Most of our immediate family was able to attend, (Heber's family couldn't make it), along with Uncle Early Wayne and Aunt Linda and Colton and Garrett. We had our poster the Young Women made, along with "Hug Me First" signs Mom made for each of us. We gathered at the escalator the airport told us he'd come down. Our feet couldn't sit still, we went from teary eyes to big grins, kids giggled and jumped up and down. Ava walked around and found he had come down another set of stairs.

We made our way to him and had a nice reunion. His back hurt so back he was shuffling like an old man. He focused intently to when we spoke because he was having a hard time understand English. He had been traveling for twenty-two hours and awake for much more. He was tired. He was hungry and thirsty. But he was - he IS - home.!

We left Houston and travel to Beaumont to meet with Stake President Little to have him released. He met with Elder Odom alone first for a time, then invited us in. President Little allowed Elder Odom to share his testimony with us. He had changed so much. Then, President Little read Elder Odom's release certificate and asked that he remove his missionary name tag. That was a bitter sweet moment. The pain and the anguish in his face was so raw. He reached for it twice before, on the third attempt, he removed his name tag and again became Jarom.

He served well. He returned with honor. He made us proud. He made his Heavenly Father proud.

He left his family for two short years to help other families be together for an eternity.