Sunday, April 15, 2012

Welcome Home

Welcome home Elder Schenk!    Today the family got to welcome home Elder Schenk.  When he saw/heard us he stretched out his arms and started to cry. We just embraced him.  As the tears flowed, we were just so grateful to be home! 
    The therapist gave him a voice box so he would be able to talk to us.  When Elder Schenk's family came in, he was definitely happy to see them.  He put his hand out and said, "I've missed you all so much."  It was a great reunion!  Tears were shed.  Tears of joy, for his safe return home.
     The next 2 days will be evaluations with the different doctors and therapists. We know that many will want to come and visit, but Britten will need some time.  We will let you know when he is up for a visit. 
    We are so appreciative to each one of you for your faith and prayers in Elder Schenk's behalf.  We have truly felt comfort in all the support you have given us, as we have felt our Heavenly Father's arms wrapped around us.
    We love you all, Steven and Karla

33 comments:

  1. A HUGE HOORAY!!!! Your blog is the first thing and last thing that I check each day......I had no idea he was coming home! Tell Britten that "Mama Pope" is rooting for him - we will respect your space at this crucial time - just know that you are constantly on our minds and in our prayers. Elder Pope will be thrilled to hear the latest news!!!!! God is real!

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  2. Hallelujah! We are so excited to have you all back and are anxious to be able to be with you now you are back home. Keep smiling as we all are grinning from ear to ear. We will continue praying for daily miracles on Britten's behalf. We love you all and look forward to receiving additional updates when you receive the different doctors and therapists results from all of Britten's evaluations. LOVE YOUR FAMILY!!! :)

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  3. It makes me cry just thinking your family is united again. That must be how it will feel in Heaven. Of course we will continue fasting and praying for the new road ahead. We love your family so much. Hug Britten for us.

    All our love,
    The McGregors

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  4. So grateful he's home!! We continue to pray for his full recovery, it's been great to keep updated on him through the blog! We love you all! Loren and Carrie Yost

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  5. So where exactly is "home" at this time? Does this mean you are home in Cache Valley or somewhere in Salt Lake or what?

    Regardless -- thrilled to hear of Britten's continued progress!

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  6. So grateful for the mercies and miracles that have brought Elder Schenk home! We are keeping you constantly in our prayers. Much love to all of you!
    The Bradys

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  7. What a wonderful surprise to read this tonight. I could not be happier for you all. May the Lord continue to watch over you and continue to shower you with blessings. Well done Elder Schenk!
    Love,
    Marcy Hansen

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  8. Wow!!! We fasted today for your whole family and knowing how hard it much not being all together so when we read tonight's blog, it surprised us in a great way. So happy you're all home and we pray Britton continues to inprove. God bless you all

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  9. Welcome home our dear ones. Bet Logan, Lora, Cannon, and Jaxon were thrilled to see you all. What a miraculous journey you all have been on. We are so grateful to hear of the tender mercies extented to you and know they will continue. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work Britten!
    We love you- Bruce and Laura

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  10. What a blessing and a miracle! Your family has been in our minds, hearts and in our daily prayers, and added to the prayer roll with each visit to the temple. We will continue to pray for his health and for peace for your family. We are so thankful for the tender mercies a loving Heavenly Father has bestowed upon the Schenks. Thank you, Britten, for being a humbling example of faith, hope, love, and humility. Even lying in a hospital bed you were fulfilling the mission as stated in Preach My Gospel, of bringing people to Christ. You've brought us all closer to our Savior & our Heavenly Father as we have communed with Him on your behalf. What an inspiring missionary you have been! Thank you and get well!

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  11. WELCOME HOME ELDER SCHENK!!
    We are so happy you are home & able to be with your family.
    We love you!

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  12. So glad to hear this great news. We've been following Elder Schenk's progress since we first learned of his accident three weeks ago. Thank you for sharing his experiences with all of us on your blog. Our son is serving in the Oklahoma Oklahoma City Mission, and we have written about Elder Schenk a couple of times on our son's mission blog. (http://bit.ly/HVAjIK ) Please accept our best wishes for Elder Schenk's full and speedy recovery.
    -- Eric and Lori Adair

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  13. Welcome Home!! What a wonderful blessing to have your family back together.

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  14. What a blessing and answer to many prayers. We will continue to keep your family and him in our prayers. I can't even imagine the joy and sheer exhaustion you must be feeling right now but I feel an inkling of you joy at this reunion!

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  15. I pray for your sweet Son, Elder Schenk every day. I have not been on your blog for about a week. I cried tears of immense gratitude when I read that he is still recovering and is back home with his family. I will still pray for his complete recovery. I am so grateful for the power of Prayer and for God's tender mercies in your son's recovery. I am so grateful that he has made such good progress. Give him my love and best wishes. Even though we have never met, we are all linked in the Lord's Love and his Gospel.
    Being a missionary mom, my heart is linked to yours. May life continue to get better and better for you, Elder Schenk and family. Please keep us posted. hugs.

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  16. Can hardly contain my joy! I am so grateful for your safe return. I'm sure that you are all exhausted, but happily reunited with all of your family! We will now pray for the new staff Britten will be working with... doctors, nurses, therapists! I hope you get well- rested, Britten, so that you pass those exams tomorrow and the next day with flying colors. We appreciate your strong determination and faith. You are an inspiration to all of us.
    Thanking God,
    Melanie

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  17. What a wonderful surprise! What a miracle in and of itself; not only that Britten has been released so soon after this horrific accident, but that he was healthy enough to travel the long distance home. Of course we will keep him in our prayers as he continues to heal and regain his faculties. What a blessing. I was just thinking today how hard it must be for you, Steven and Karla, to be away from the rest of your family for so long and how you have been able to take care of things being so far away. You have truly been blessed; my testimony and faith have been strengthened as I have watched your example. We love you! Marilyn (Rachel and Michael)

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  18. Thank you again for sharing with us the improvements and miracles that you are receiving day by day. I am always in tears when I read your blog about Elder Schenk's milestones he is making - that you are all making together. I am SOOO happy for your family that he is home. What a blessing that he is well enough to make the journey too. I have learned so much from you all. From the loving parents who rely and put their trust wholeheartedly in the Lord, not just when the times are good but through the hardest of times. And also from Elder Schenk himself. What a fighter!! I love to hear how he practiced his swallowing and how he went on further in Physio, not just sitting up and down but to have a walk too. I have a nephew newly out in the mission field and i have shared with him Elder Schenk's letter about how our challenges polish us. Lots of love and prayers from Germany!! xx

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  19. What a true miracle to have you "home" and reunited with all of your family. You must be exhausted and we pray you can ALL get the much needed rest and recovery you need. We ar so proud of Britten and the tremendous progress he has made. Please give him a hug from all of us and know that our prayers and love continue. Elder Stoddard will be so happy to hear the news! So many around the world continue to pray for your dear son! Always thinking of you..
    The Stoddards

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  20. I too have followed the blog since the beginning of the accident. When I read that you returned home, I had tears joy. As another Mother said so well, our hearts are all linked to Britten and to you and your husband. Now your family can all be together. That must be a wonderful feeling. I am sure that Britten has left a lasting impression in Brazil that all that came in contact with him. I too will contine to pray for him and his recovery. Tell him to write his feelings and thoughts in his recovery. He is truly a modern day miracle and I have been so blessed to witness. May each day he will get stronger. Thank you Steve and Karla and Jaxon for keeping us updated day by day. I have him in my mind and heart each day. The Lord truly lives. Grateful for the example Britten is and will continue to be in the hearts of all of us. Thank you for sharing your reunion with me. So happy for all of you. Patti SLC.

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  21. Hello, Elder Schenk! Welcome home! I shared the good news of your recovery and return to the US with Elder Brady in Portugal and got this response in his email this morning:
    That’s so great that Britten is doing better! Oh my goodness that makes me feel better! The Lord is definitely watching over Him. And the Lord is blessing Him because of his service. That's so cool. His testimony was stellar! Made me think a lot about why we go through things. He's such a stud! Keep fight Britt! Keep fighting!!
    (I also shared your testimony about trials and challenges. Thank you, Elder Schenk!)
    Much love,
    Jeri Kay and Jordan Brady

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  22. yesterday I gave a talk in church abt humility, patience and long suffering. I started my talk with the story of E. Schenk and read his letter to the congregation. Being that I am from Brazil, your story is very dear to my heart and like many in this blog, I can't go to bed w/out news on your recovery.
    I am amazed at one of the greatest miracles of the last 48 hrs which is you being able to get home. I was so worried abt you being away from home and the rest of the family for so long. I can just imagine how it felt to be back. B. and S. Schenk, you are both amazing and you are such a good example to all of us. Last October conference E. Hales said: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,” and return to Him with honor."
    May we continue saying "Thy will be done".
    with love DePaulas :)

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  23. Bem Vindo Elder! E bom trabalho!

    bjs,

    Hailey Morey (Holtzclaw)

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  24. Welcome home, Britt! You are an example of faith and strength to all of us!

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  25. So glad you guys are home! Nothing is better than HOME! I am so glad Britten is doing so well. Those missionary blessings are being realized in Britten's recovery! Good luck and God Speed. Being home is its own journey, stay strong, sending all my faith and prayers your way! You got this!

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  26. Just wanted to let your family know, that my son, Elder Halls, was just transferred out the the Brazil CTM, and put in a companionship with Elder Squires. Brandon shared with me that Elder Squires was being trained by your son and was with him during the time of the accident. I've been following your blog for a while now and have been keeping your son in my prayers. I am amazed at the miracles I've read about. Thank you so much for sharing his journey with us.
    ~Sheryl Halls, AZ

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  27. Welcome home Elder Schenk! Our family continues to pray for your recovery. We are participating in the Hyde Park stake musical and we have prayed for your family there too in our opening prayers at rehearsal. Adding our faith and love to the many pulling for you,
    Jackman family
    Hyde Park 1st ward

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  28. WELCOME HOME Elder Schenk!!! I'm sure you Logan, Lora, Canon, and Jaxon are all filled with joy at you all being united again! We will continue to pray for more blessings of healing and comfort to your family.
    Love You All!
    Brittany

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  29. Soooo glad he's home. Good luck with the long road ahead. On the positive side of therapy is the new set of friends you'll make. Amazing people that you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Keep up the smiles and positive attitude! You can't imagine how much they will help.

    Juliet

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  30. So Happy for you all! Wonderful news! <3

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  31. We are so glad your family has been reunited! What a blessing that will be, to his recovery, to have his family, near by.

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  32. I know you don't know me, but I have been following the blog from the beginning and I am just amazed at your strength! I had missed a few days with being out of town. As I read the posts that I missed, I could see the healing progression of Elder Schenk. I was in utter shock he has gone home! I am amazed at our Heavenly Father's miracles! He has truly heard and answered prayers of so many!
    Did you fly home to the US? Did Elder Schenk get released? None of this was mentioned.
    These details in the beginning, made it all come to life.
    Thank you for sharing your journey! It has opened my eyes and filled me with love and compassion. As there are so many that didn't know you and your family but prayed. People that reached out to help. You could see the Saviors loving arms surround your family!
    I pray that Elder Schnek will continue to heal and that your family will be blessed and watched over!
    Much love, Staci Firl (La Center, Washington)

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  33. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for share!!! It makes me so strong... That ♪ ♫ "I know that 'our' Redeemer lives" ♪ ♫. Welcome home Britten!!!

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