Elder Vogt Returns Home!!

The day finally came where Seth came home and was honorably released as a Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was exciting and nerve wracking and joyous and amazing all rolled up into one big thrilling moment!

Grandma Carlson had flown into town the Friday before and that really helped keep us busy and not just watching the clock before his arrival. Throughout the weekend, we worked on making all of the posters and banner to hold up at the airport. Mom had originally thought they should purchase professionally designed banners but dad thought the handmade ones would be more meaningful and they were all glad they went with the homemade ones since they turned out soooo cute and colorful and customized!

Finally Tuesday, September 11th was here and we headed off towards the airport at 5:20pm for his 6:33pm arrival time. As we started out, mom checked Seth's flight status and saw that they had MOVED IT UP to 6:19pm and we all got a bit antsy! We called Grandma and Grandpa Vogt and told them his flight was arriving early and to get on their way and then alerted Uncle Tony and Aunt Heidy of the change as well. At the same time, mom was calling her best friend, Stephanie Perry (who was going to meet them at the airport and take all of the pictures) and told her to get there ASAP! After everyone had been notified and we saw that traffic was moving along at a nice pace, we settled down a bit (but of course, still had that nervous/anxious stomach that accompanies anticipated excitement!) We get to the airport and make our way up to the greeting area and visit with the other family as they arrive to greet Elder Vogt...

And then right on time at 6:19pm we see that his plane has landed! As people start coming in through the airport doors - anyone with a suit (no matter of age or size) Ben thinks it's Seth and gets our hopes up! haha... But it's not too much longer before we see (the real) Elder Vogt walking through the doors and mom is privy to the FIRST HUG!!

 When she feels like she's held her little boy long enough to make it seem REAL (and not just a dream that he's home!) they head back to the rest of the family that is eagerly awaiting their time to welcome him home!

 After many hugs given, laughs exchanged and tears shed, we made our way down to the baggage claim to collect his 2 suitcases that held everything he owned for the past two years. After a final picture inside the airport we made our way back to van and headed over to the Chuck-A-Rama with Grandma and Grandpa Vogt for a "Welcome Home" Dinner!

 We all filled our bellies with delicious food (and one positive of Seth arriving home from CA vs Nicaragua was that he'd already accustomed back to "American Food" - for if not, I'm certain this meal would have made his terribly sick!). We listed as he shared more stories from his Mission and just basked in his light and being around him! We had members of our Stake Presidency (President Miller and Brother Hughes) coming to the house at 9:15pm to release Seth and so at about 8:30pm we left the restaurant and headed home - a home that we moved to while he was serving his Mission. We arrived home shortly after 9pm and Seth took in a super quick tour before there was a knock on the door. After introductions, President Miller and Seth separated themselves for a final interview while the rest of the family visited with Brother Hughes in the living room. When Seth and President Miller joined us, Seth gave his final testimony (as a Missionary) to us in Spanish. Mom and dad were then asked to share their testimonies and the blessing that they'd seen while Seth was out serving. The Spirit was palpable and brought a beautiful feeling into our home. At the end, President Miller presented Seth with a certificate (from the Carlsbad California Mission) and officially released him as Missionary. We then made our way back upstairs to the boys' room and listened as Seth shared more stories from his time in Nicaragua until we eventually fell asleep on the bed (oh wait, that was just mom - she was exhausted and worn out from the days festivities! haha)

It doesn't seem possible that this chapter of life has come to an end. Mondays will go back to being "regular ol' Mondays" without the anticipation of the weeks news and accompanying pictures from our favorite Missionary! We have been blessed by Seth's sacrifice and I know that he will be eternally blessed for sharing the gospel and being a servant of the Lord for the past 727 days!

 

Monday, August 20 - Monday, August 27th

So anyways another week has gone by. Its all good here in California.

Sorry I really didn't get an email out last week. Just something happened with the program the phones has to lock them up.

But anyways this week was all good. Had divisons with Morrison on Tuesday and Friday with his comp.

Saturday there was a baptism in the ward so that was nice and in the evening a wedding (see pictures below). So that was fun too.

But yeah those are some of this week's highlights. Anyways talk to you all next week.

-Elder Vogt

Tuesday, July 31st - Monday, August 6th

Hey so anyways getting this baby ready to send off. 

So anyways I'm here with elder Nolasco in my new area. Granted it's the same ward. But it's my 3rd area inside the ward. It has so many areas since it's a Spanish ward it covers the size of the whole stake. So at least we got alot of room to work in.

So the week was alright Tuesday was when the changes were. So said by to my old comp and got my new one. Wednesday had a soon meeting/welcome. And Thursday pretty 

Friday we had a service project and help clear out an old worn down bird shelter. And weed a horse track for this one place. 

Rest of the week pretty normal. Headed out of town Sunday for an appointment for my comp and now I'm here writing you all. So anyways thanks for everything and I hope you all have a great week. 

Tuesday, July 24th - Monday, July 30th

Another week done. We didn't do much though we did do some ferrying around, since the changes are coming up soon. One of the elders near us had to go to a few meetings so we ferried him around. And on one of those I guess I got a mission tradition done. So there is this one guy who gives people new names. And a whole lot of missionaries have them. So while waiting one of the days we went up and I got me a new name. And the whole process of getting the name is a bit strange but it was alright. Anyways the new name he gave me was DeLorean. 

 

And anyways I went with elder Caswell another day of these. And we helped with a funeral and wedding this Saturday in 2 separate places. So it was a pretty busy day but it's all good.

 

And with the changes coming up, I'll stay in the same ward but a new area...yet again, and with yet another new companion and new apartment. Just constant changes with me. So that's a bit about the week. It wasn't too eventful except for those things but thanks for reading it. 

Tuesday, July 17th - Monday, July 23rd

So anyways. Well here is another week. Let's see so starting off this week earlier on Tuesday we went out to work and lost the car. we were walking around for close to a half hour trying to find it. Once we did we headed down to Carlsbad and started divisones with some of the other elders. So all of Wednesday I went out to work with elder Caswell who was my companion for a few weeks a few weeks ago. So it went well. 

Thursday we did some normal thursday things. We had a district meeting and I gave the lesson during it. Then we had lunch and then worked and all. As we tend to do.

Friday it was a Friday. We weekly planned and had a really early dinner. It was at 3. so I guess it was more of a late lunch than a dinner. Then we dropped the other elders off. 

Saturday we had a stake wide pioneer activity and it was at our church building so it was nice and close. We went and there was some food and a local band that they contracted who were members in a neighboring stake. So that was nice.

And yesterday was church. so it was pretty churchy. Had dinner and it was my companion's birthday too. So you know how that goes.

Anyways here's the kinda vague way my week went. Cya all. 

 

-Elder Vogt

Tuesday, July 10th - Monday, July 16th

So anyways the week was pretty normal I guess.

Not much new going on just another week. Made some visits, walked around. Rode around on a bike, drove around, etc etc. 

So anyways not much special to write about in this week. we had president interviews Wednesday, and we helped out some members like 3 times get everything ready so they could move out and we did that most of Saturday. it's all good. Anyways that's pretty much all the weird  stuff that happened out here.

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 3rd - Monday, July 9th

So I guess here is how the week went down. 

so starting off Tuesday, we had a multi zone meeting. so it's a bit different here than there in that here there are only 2 zones that get met up, down there it was 3. so a bit smaller but it was still nice. So we didn't do much today sicne the meeting went on pretty late into the afternoon. 

Wednesday 4th of July I was on divisiones with elder Morrison my old companion. (since I just got moved around the same ward just a different companionship) and that went by fun. though we ended up pretty much just doing a lot of walking. Like 4 or so hours, but it could be worse. the air wasn't too hot so I didn't mind. Then in the evening we had a zone barbecue for the 4th and it was fun. we had some burgers and played some volleyball as a zone. so it was a nice activity. I miss some fireworks since they don't really do any here nearby, but at least I had to deal with a lot of fireworks christmas and new years in Nicaragua. 

Anyways Thursday was a pretty normal day. Just nothing really too notable aboiut today.

Friday we had house inspections so we scored a 10 for having a good clean house. I'm actually happy that earlier in the morning we decided to clean even without knowing about the inspections so when we did the tidy right before the people came it was a whole lot less to take care of.

Saturday we helped this one family pack up their kitchen since they'll be moving out in not too long. 

And yesterday was pretty low key. I find since we have church at 1 here, we basically just are at the house till church have church change out of the suits, and then go for dinner. then after dinner like a visit then it's time to go. so all pretty easy going.

Anyways that's kinda how things went this week. 

-Elder Vogt