WELCOME HOME ALYSSA

BEST DAY EVER!!!!

On March 13th, 2017  Sister Alyssa Jo Phippen returned from the LasVegas West mission.

We were all so excited and looking forward to her return.

The kids made big posters to put up all over the yard.

It is so strange that Elder Phippen had already
been gone 4 1/2 months for his mission in Peru

before she returned home.  That means Alyssa and 

Riley will not see each other in person for almost 3 years.

It is such a HAPPY feeling to be at the

 airport waiting for a missionary.

As you hug them, the feeling inside 

is that you just want to yell out to the world

"WE DID IT!!!"

As I look at these pictures with everyone so happy and hugging, I think this is so what HEAVEN is going to be like.

When we cross to the other side it will be all these people 

we love and remember, people we didn't even know we knew, and we will all be smiling

 and hugging and shout (maybe whispering since it's heaven:) 

YOU DID IT!

These two siblings could not be more excited for Alyssa to be home.  

They were so proud of her for serving a mission.

Alyssa's best friend since sixth grade arranged to surprise her and

 get on the same flight home as her.  This was the best surprise ever.  

It made Alyssa so happy. I guess when she noticed her, she started to say her name

 and then they hugged and Alyssa just started crying. 

The Babbs are such a fabulous family.

My entire life I have watched missionaries come and go. Brothers, cousins, friends. I always looked at it as being the greatest thing ever for a family.  When Alyssa left however, it did not feel like I thought it should feel.  My heart was in pieces and I was angry that she was gone for so long.  This was not the reaction I had thought I would have.  Up until the day she left I was excited for this day just the same as she was.  These emotions I had played out for a few months.  JD kept telling me things to do to make it better, but at times I would bring him over to my dark side:).  As I struggled to be at peace with the idea of my daughter being gone and having virtually no contact with her, and allowing her to knock on weird peoples' doors to teach them about the truths that we believe, I realized I needed to strengthen my testimony.  What did I believe?  How did I know it was true? 

 I'm not really sure when, or at what point, I came to the point at which I KNEW that what Alyssa was doing was the right thing. And that I did still believe the things that I had always believed to be true.  However,  when that transformation in my heart happened, it made all the difference.  

It went from being this sad, hard thing that was really quite a sacrifice that didn't feel good, to being a happy thing that  blesses the lives of our family, the child serving, and an experience you would never want to take from your child. 

Alyssa was such a great missionary to me.  As I read her letters every week her testimony strengthened me. I noticed the things she was learning and the ways she was growing into this amazing adult. It was surprising since she was already so very amazing:). 

 I remember thinking one time that I could be the worlds' greatest parent and could never teach Alyssa  the life lessons she is learning right now.  One of the greatest things I noticed that they learn very quickly is how to live for  someone else.  That can be kind of an issue for 18 and 19 year olds LOL!

Alyssa has always had a strong testimony. Shortly after she entered the mission field I could see right away one thing Alyssa was learning very quickly, how to live for and put someone else before yourself.. She truly came to love the ones she was teaching and serving.  

When she came home the gifts I found she brought with her that were the most important were her firm knowledge of the Atonement, our Savior's love for her. Most importantly in the world we live in today is how to listen to, and follow, the spirit.  

  These very blessings and gifts alone I know can be A strength Alyssa will be able to  lean on throughout her life. 

At times Alyssa LOVED her mission. At times she really wanted to be done with her mission.  She has expressed MANY times how thankful she is that she saw it all the way through. 

I love the signs in the yard to welcome her home.

Great job, Jers, on figuring out how to get them to stay:)

This little girl was on pins and needles for

 18 months waiting for her sister to return.

They were both determined that the first thing we all do together 

is go to the new movie out Beauty and the Beast.

The dynamics of these 2 girls were very interesting 

to say the least when Alyssa returned.

Ashlynn was expecting a best buddy and thinking they would have sleepovers and late nights every single day.  Alyssa was happy to hang out, but still acted to Ashlynn as if she was the same age as when she left .  This made Ashlynn very MAD.  Plus little sisters' expectations were a little on the obsessive side which made Alyssa want to scream.

It has presented some interesting challenges for the both of them:).

Alyssa very much grew into her own person on her mission.

It did not help her in any way decide what she wanted to do for her future.

However, I am writing this in October, 7 months

 after her return, and she is getting married;)

I am so excited for her to be getting married and 

FREAKED OUT AT THE SAME TIME!!!

So many scary things about handing 

your precious daughter over to 

boy
SO MANY THINGS!!

ha ha ha 

Besides, doesn't she look too young to get married!?

I love this girl so much!!  

She is as hard headed as they come. 

 At times it is hard to raise a child like her. . .

Tough as nails, does what she thinks 

is right and it's not really up for discussion. 

However, when I stop to think about her choices, 

even when they have

 been hard for me to handle, they have turned out good.

She is a smart girl. 

Almost as smart as her mom:).

When she first returned, we for sure had our struggles.

  I bought the book Taking Off the Tag and it helped me to see a lot of things 

I could have done differently, and will do differently when Riley returns. 

I am thankful for the example Alyssa is to me and all of us everyday.

I love that although she doesn't live at home

 I can call her everyday and talk to her.

I am so thankful for Alyssa's mission and 

the blessing it was to our family.

I am thankful for this wonderful family that 

Heavenly Father blessed me with.  

COURAGE- is a 19 year old girl stepping onto a

 plane and leaving for 18 months not knowing if her family 

will be okay without her, but KNOWING that they'll

 be with her every step of the way.

WELL DONE ALYSSA. . . WE LOVE YOU!