Tuesday morning, May 29th, Britten woke with a smile on his face. He raised his arms in the air and said
"Lets go home!!"
After spending 75 days in the hospital, Nurses, therapist, and Doctors came to say their goodbyes. Britten gave them hugs and a "thumbs up" as we walked out the doors, grateful to our Father in Heaven to be going home.
Not knowing how Britten would feel after the long ride, and so as to not overwhelm him, a few friends and family were called the last minute to welcome him home. And what a great Welcome Home it was!!
When we approached our street, a few neighborhood kids waved and cheered as we drove by. Elder Schenk smiled and gave them a big "thumbs up". As we pulled into the driveway he saw family and friends standing there cheering for him and said "What the heck?!" He was so surprised! His face radiated with pure joy to be home.
Prayers of gratitude filled our hearts as many embraced Elder Schenk. Smiles, tears, and hugs were shared. Words cannot express the feelings felt that night.
We are grateful for the friendships made in Brazil, and the wonderful people that saw to our needs there. While in SLC, many family members brought in food, gave up a good nights rest to stay with Britt, and cared for our needs in every way. Our Ward, family, neighbors, and community watched over our family, giving us peace of mind knowing all was well at home. We are so appreciative to all for the love and support we have felt. The Lord has showered many blessings on our family.
Elder Schenk has far exceeded every Doctor's expectation for him. He has many therapies ahead of him, but with his tenacity, determination, positive attitude, and blessings from above, we know he will succeed.
Muito Bem!!!
We hope to continue to post updates on Britten at least once a week.
Thank you again for your prayers.
We love you!
The Schenk Family
This is so amazing! I'm so happy for you all!! He looks great!!
ReplyDeleteHOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home Elder! You are an inspiration to all. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeletePLEASE continue to post updates. I check everyday to see how he is doing. So happy for your family.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for your family to be home and to be together again under the same roof!! I am still thinking of you and will continue to pray for miracles in your family's behalf. Thank you again for sharing your story with us as it has strengthened me as well. I am so happy that you will still post updates as I really do care how he is doing! Best wishes for an even speedier recovery at home!
ReplyDeleteWendy Watts
Wonderful news! We will continue to pray for Elder Schenk's continued success and many more missionary blessings sure to come!
ReplyDeleteThere's no place like home!!!! We are thrilled that you can be back in the arms of all of those who love you. It makes my "mama heart" smile!!!!! Welcome home dear boy! Make sure someone gives you a GIANT HUG from Mama Pope and Elder Pope. We love you and pray for you constantly.
ReplyDeleteI sooooooo appreciate the blog updates - it's been a "daily requirement" in our home. I appreciate that you will continue to keep us posted on a weekly basis. It allows us to know how Britten is doing and still maintain and respect the space that your family needs at this time.
"We are all enlisted till the conflict is o'er; Happy are we! happy are we! Soldiers in the army, there's a bright crown in store; we shall win and wear it by and by".
God speed Elder Schenk.
love,
Mama Pope
I'm crying!!! So happy Britten is home! Hope to see you all during the 4th of July! Love you, Schenk Fam!
ReplyDeleteYay! Congratulations and well done to all of you. You have indeed fought a good fight. Thank you for enriching my family's lives by sharing your struggles. We will continue to pray for you. :)
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to your weekly updates - so glad he is home!
ReplyDeleteI am totally and completely thrilled! I'm looking forward to more updates.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful!! I am so excited for Britten and all of you!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home Britten! Wow! It feels good to say (write) that! Know that we are thrilled and delighted you are home and look forward to future updates. Your strong spirit and amazing faith have certainly prevailed and we are so very grateful for your example. Our prayers for you have not stopped because you're home - so keep the faith and keep smiling! Love - the Westons
ReplyDeleteHurray! We are so happy for all of you. Britten, Elder Dance said to tell you he prays for you and is looking forward to speaking Portuguese with you. Tammy Dance Radabaugh, Tanners mom.
ReplyDeleteSO HAPPY!!! Welcome home!
ReplyDelete~The Allred Family
San Antonio, TX
What exciting news!!! I hope the road ahead continues to be successful. Your family will continue to be in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteYay Brit! Welcome home! That is so exciting. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteSuch exciting news! Its got to feel so GREAT to be home for all of you. Britten, your determination and positive attitude are so inspiring. I hope I don't say this badly, but anytime in the last few months that I've had any pain or difficulty, I have thought of you and your strength. Thank you for your example....we love to see your smiling face in your pictures. Thanks again, Steven and Karla for the blog updates..it has truly been a blessing in many lives to hear of your testimonies through your trials. Love you all!
ReplyDeleteColleen
Incredible! Yay Schenk family, congrats Britten! You will continue to be on our minds and in our prayers.
ReplyDelete-Hancey fam
Welcome Home!!! What miracles you've witnessed.... and shared so willingly with the rest of us. Can't wait to have you back with us!
ReplyDeleteWell done, thou good and faithful servant! Keep fighting the fight- you are amazing- all of you!!! Love, Rachel Hill and Family
ReplyDeleteMuito bem Elder Schenk!!! Ficamos felizes por estar em casa...
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad to have you home!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Welcome home Britten. It has been so inspiring to read your story. It has given me strength when I needed it most. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to pray and fast for you. I looked up to you in high school and I do even more now. You are always so positive and your faith and determination are astounding!
ReplyDelete¡¡¡BIENVENIDO A CASA ELDER SCHENK!!!, DESDE ESTAS LEJANAS TIERRAS, QUE TAL VEZ USTED ALGÚN DÍA CONOSCA, LE DESEAMOS MUCHA FELICIDAD A LADO DE SU HERMOSA Y EJEMPLAR FAMILIA. NOS HAN DADO UN INCREIBLE LECCIÓN Y EJEMPLO DE FE, OBEDIENCIA, UNIÓN, CONVERSIÓN Y AMOR. GRACIAS POR TRADUCIR EN HECHOS SU FE INQUEBRANTABLE FAMILIA SCHENK. LA MISIÓN DE ELDER SCHENK HA SIDO CUMPLIDA CON TOTAL ÉXITO POR TODOS USTEDES TAMBIÉN.
ReplyDeleteTENDREMOS UNA ORACIÓN GUARDADA EN NUESTROS CORAZONES POR USTEDES, POR QUE ELDER SCHENK PUEDA CONTINUAR ESTE CAMINO EN SU TOTAL RECUPERACIÓN COMO HASTA AHORA LO HA HECHO.
FAMILIA SCHENK, LA AMAMOS, ELDER SCHENK MUCHAS GRACIAS POR SER UNA VERDADERA LUZ AL MUNDO. GRACIAS POR HONRAR AL SACERDOCIO CON SU PROPIA VIDA. ¡QUE EL SEÑOR LE BENDIGA!
ELIANA JAVE.
CAJAMARCA - PERÚ.
WOW, that most beautiful thing, congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI am very glad he is back at home and is better and your friends and family are helping him
All we can say is FANTABULOUSLY AWESOME!!!!!!! Knew you could do it! Glad you still prove to people who tell you that you can't do something that you can! Must be your stubborn traits! ;o)
ReplyDeleteWelcome home to all of you!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible faith and your experiences with those of us who are complete strangers...except for the gospel. We hope the very best continues in Britt's life. We will watch for those weekly posts!
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get those banners. I have a missionary coming home really soon and loves those! Please let me know . Welcome home Elder!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I am wondering the same thing! Welcome Home Elder Schenk! I have been following this blog and your story for weeks and I am so proud to be a missionary mom! What an amazing young man Elder Schenk is! He has inspired me! I would love to find out where you got the banner!
DeleteSorry that I have not got back with you sooner with the information. We got the banners from a neighbor and they are out of town and will be back in a couple of days. I will get you the information ASAP. Karla
DeleteThanks!! I have a year til my missionary comes home but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that sign! Thank you so much for sharing your journey! You have inspired and humbled me. I check the darn thing everyday! Funny how we feel like we KNOW your family from reading your blog! Congratulations on having your sweet son HOME!
DeleteCongratulations on the home coming! I have been reading the blog since the beginning, but have never commented. Your family is inspirational and reading your blog has been faith promoting. Thank you for sharing your ups and downs, as well as your testimonies. I wish you a speedy recovery and I look forward to continuing to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteSchenk Family, I shed tears of joy for you all. I don´t know Elder Schenk, so I can´t imagine how you must be feeling to have him home at last! Thanks for sharing your highs & lows with us, thus strengthening our testimonies of Heavenly Fathers love for us all. I hope Elder Schenk continues to progress well, & look forward to reading about it in the future.
ReplyDeleteI just love the banners, they show you live in Utah, you´d never find anything like that in England where I come from.
Hermana Jane Gough - Lima, Peru
Wow! We are sooooooooo excited for you Britten! Way to go! It must feel so great to be home in your own bed after such a long time! We know your family has prayed you home, as well as hundreds of others like us! This is truly the Lord's hand at work and we know He will stand by you through whatever obstacles you may have to face. And so will we! We love you Britten!!! Double thumbs up!!
ReplyDeleteThe Stoddards
o guerreiro voltou da batalha.... esta em casa novamente !!! combateu o bom combate, acabou a carreira, guardou a fe !!! Estamos muito felizes por vc e sua familia!!! um grande e maravilhoso milagre aconteceu... somos gratos pelo Pai Celestial ter respondido a todas oracoes!!!! Amamos vc...
ReplyDeleteoh happy day!! I'm so glad he is home and with his wonderful family!! Welcome home Britten. Welcome home.
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful! I am incredibly happy that Britten was able to go home! Every time I read your updates and posts I am filled with the Spirit and my testimony grows with the knowledge that Heavenly Father truly answers our prayers! I knew He did but Britten is a true, living, walking miracle! Way to go Britten!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful news. We still pray for Britt and your family. May you each continue to have the strength necessary to go forward from here with the faith you have displayed so far. Please give Britten hugs from all of us. Love, Marilyn, Rachel and Mikey
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy and grateful to see this news! I am sure this was a powerful "Welcome Home Elder" experience. Our faith has increased by watching and reading about your faith. You all will continue to be in our prayers! Thank you for your example of family love and support.
ReplyDeleteThe Holloways
I'm so happy! Britten, our ELDER SCHENCK, came back at home, this news is fantastic! I hope the very best continues in Britt's life, I'm going to pray for this. I'm grateful for you have shared your testemonies, your faith and your corageous with us, thank you!!!Brazilian hugs for all!
ReplyDeleteElder Schenk and family, Thank you for sharing this journey with all of us. Your personal feelings, your ups and downs. My testimony has been strengthened by the miracle we have all witnessed. We all have laughed, cried, cheered prayed, shared this story with our ward members, put Brittens name on the prayer role many times and laid in bed praying for you Britten. When I first read your story in the Deseret News I knew I had to follow. My 4th Son had just returned from Brazil, so this made it more personal to me. I thought this could have been us. But reading all the triumphs and hurdles like the olympics you over came you made it home to your loving family. Days from now and years from now, we will look back on this mordern day miracle and remember what you went through and how you got through it through a very loving Heavenly Father. Each time I read your blog I felt of the spirit and I knew that Britten and his family would get through this. Thanks for the picture, it makes it easier to picture in my mind. Best of luck Britten I hope to read your journey some day in the Ensign or a book. Patti SLC.
ReplyDeleteYAY! SO HAPPY! :D The thought of you, Britten, Karla, Steven, Logan, Lora, and all, helps me get through difficult days. Thank you, again, for your faith and frequent bearing of your testimonies. I am still praying for you all! Keep it up, Britten! So glad you are HOME. Makes me cry a little :) I love you. Sherilyn
ReplyDeleteWelcome home!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! My dad reads this blog ALL OF THE TIME! He checks it every day! You are such an inspiration to all of us!
ReplyDeleteOn an off topic note- my brother comes home in October and we were wondering how you made those awesome welcome home signs!?
Thanks! (:
Kelsey
I read this blog every day. I've been so impressed with your son's progress and the incredible faith shown throughout this entire process. I'm so happy to know he is home now and pray for his continued progress in his recovery. Thank you for being such examples of faith and love and hope.
ReplyDeleteSo very happy for this wonderful day and moment!! Thank you for all you have done to help us know about his wonderful blessings and recovery. Thank you for your great and wonderful faith and loving hope!!
ReplyDeleteHey, what a wonderful homecoming? Share where you purchased the tie and the name badge? Or how you made it? We have a son coming home soon.
ReplyDeleteHi. I have a friend (an old mission comp of mine:) who's son is coming home from his mission soon. She loves the tie banner. Can you tell us where it was made? Thanks!
ReplyDelete