The Big Homecoming

July 8th- a historical day when Elder
Mark Thomas Crockett came back home
to Phoenix from the Alaska Anchorage Mission.
Family met him at the airport- complete
with welcoming signs!!!











Elder Crockett had worked hard on
his mission, proved by his worn out
shoes (held together with duct tape)!














It was fun to see his "souvenirs"-
authentic Russian military hat,
soapstone Eskimo carving, chess
set, & a totem pole.











He had one special missionary tool that also
proved to be a fun trick- how do you
balance 14 nails on one nail head without
them touching the table??? Mike wins
the honors of figuring it out. Really, it
represented the Priesthood & revelation.











Soon it was time to get down to business-
sorting boxes that had been packed for
two years!











And there was time for the family
swim party & BBQ. Here are the
3 new babies with their moms
(Adrianne, Rachel, Alissa).











It was a great gathering of family-
24 of us including Morgan & Katie
& kids. We missed Ruth & family but
the airline frowns on women flying
when they only have 2 weeks until
the baby is due!











Sunday was the "homecoming" report
at Church & everyone trooped back over.
After Church, Mark cooked Alaskan
salmon for everyone. He had packed it
in dry ice to bring home in one of his
suitcases!











Time goes by too quickly & soon it
was Monday night & Mark returned
to Anchorage to work with Tyler. He
is back in the real world needing the
funds to support school in the fall.
BUT...he is "Still Serving."