Welcome Back Elder Rash!!!

From Elder Rash's mom:
348 days ago, we welcomed Elder Devon Rash home with open arms from serving just 3 short months on his mission in Johannesburg South Africa. Yesterday, we said goodbye with joyful hearts as he returned to the people he grew to love and the land he will serve for the remaining 21 months of his mission. We could not be more proud of our boy. He has beat the odds and has endured well as he has prepared himself to be a better missionary. We know he will be an AMAZING missionary and will serve with all his heart, might, mind and strengthen.
I was hoping that while Devon was home, he would write down his feelings about coming home and his journey back to the mission and share them on his blog....my request fell on deaf ears (hopefully he wrote them in his journal). But I want it recorded that, as his mother, I couldn't be more proud of Devon. Coming home was not easy, but it was the right thing to do. Being home for a year was not easy, but he used that time to learn more about himself, he applied the Atonement, and he endured. A mother never wants to see their children go through hard times or trials...oh, how we wish we could take away any pain or sorrow; but we ALL need to experiences sadness/sorrow/pain/trials so that we can recognize and appreciate the JOY and happiness the Atonement provides for us. So, now that this challenge is behind Devon, I can honestly say how grateful I am for this experience that Devon was able to have...to learn from, to grow from, to develop a closer relationship with his Father in Heaven and Savior! I know that because of this journey, Devon will be a more powerful, Christ like missionary as he serves and shares the message of the gospel, and bears his testimony of the power of the Atonement and the peace and joy that comes from it!
Love,
Elder Devon Rash's Mom