Welcome Home Elder Amazing!!

My brother, Max, got home from his mission at the end of August. He served in the Atlanta, Georgia Mission - and was an Amazing missionary.

I'm so proud of him. He has grown so much in the two years he spent in service to the Lord. When we met him at the airport I was caught in between not being able to take my eyes off of him, and not being able to even look at him because here was my little brother all grown up and looking and acting like a man!!

It was so fun to have Max meet Tanner for the first time. They really bonded. Don't you think Tanner looks a little bit like his Uncle? Looks like the Tannerman might have some Chamberlain good-looks in him.

My brother is such an inspiration to me. First off, he not only survived being the only son in a family of all daughters, but he survived it well. He's such a sweet guy and yet is still super manly and into cars, electronics, skateboarding, rock-climbing, and all sorts of uber-macho things.

Secondly, he is very driven. It took him a bit longer than the other boys his age to get out on his mission. But one day, he decided to change his life and work toward his mission; and from that day on, he did everything he needed to prepare himself - and never looked back. So when he finally did leave, he was completely prepared - both mentally and spiritually.

He set many goals throughout his mission and accomplished every one of them. Teachers used to return his school papers because they couldn't read his handwriting, and now his penmanship is nearly flawless.

And you should take a look at his scriptures. They're organized with an intricate tabbed, color-coded system that helped him become a more effective and knowledgeable scriptural scholar.

Max loved the southern hospitality in Georgia, but it wasn't so great for his gut. However, he made a goal to keep himself fit and healthy. So he exercised, biked, and weight-lifted so he could return home looking slimmer, fitter, and trimmer than ever.

(here is Max sporting his Atlanta attire . . . and Elise, feelin' the flava)

And ladies, get ready for this one: the first thing Max did when he got home was take a seat at the piano bench. He turned to our mom and said that he had gained a greater appreciation for her while he was away on his mission and wanted to do something special for her because she had put up with so much with him while he was a teenager. So he had spent the last year learning a song for her. Then, my brother, who had never taken a piano lesson in his life, played "Called to Serve" for our mother. It brought us all to tears.

All that brother-bragging aside . . . Max, I just want you to know how much I love you and admire you. Thanks for being such a Amazing brother, brother-in-law, and uncle!!