December 8, 2008

Unfortunately there is no letter from Michael this week, but that's only because he came home last Thursday! Nope, it hasn't been two years already, but he has to get some surgery. He is seeing the doctor today to find out what needs to be done and when they can get him in. He hopes to get everything taken care of quickly and return to the field ASAP. As he said yesterday, bearing his testimony at the home ward, "most missionaries just call home for Christmas, but I decided to come home for Christmas :) I'm not here to have fun, but to get some medical treatment and get back out there!" (that's me paraphrasing the story as I remember it from Mom - might be a little off - he probably said it much better)

So he was released by the Stake President on Thursday night (He will be set apart when he is recovered and ready to return to the field, but the stake president recommended his release for practical purposed, namely, to make things easier on the family during the busy holiday season. It's just not practical to be able to live all the missionary rules if he's living at home.) It was pretty neat because the process was just the same as when a missionary comes home after two years. The stake president asked Michael to tell him about the people and to share some spiritual experiences and to bear his testimony, including in his missionary language. Michael is a talker and has a lot of good stuff to say. It was great to hear him share stories, teach from the scriptures and bear testimony in Spanish. His Spanish already sounds pretty good and it sounds like he's loving the missionary experience and that he has already grown a lot. He talked about bearing all things with patience and the power of the Priesthood, among other things. He is such a good kid.

It's been nice to have him home, but I know he feels a little weird being home right now. He says it's nice to be home and see everyone, but he feels like he can't really enjoy it right now. It seems like all he can think about is getting back out there because his time is not over yet. He still has 20 months to go! Michael refuses to act as if he's released. He's living like a missionary as much as he can. He studying the Gospel and Spanish. He's watching Church videos and singing the Hymns (in Spanish, of course - it's for practice!) He's been wearing his white shirts everywhere too! He was even able to to teach the lesson in Priesthood yesterday for all the Young Men in the ward.

All we know is that everything happens for a reason and we trust that everything will work out for the best if we do our best to do everything that we know we need to do. It's been great to have him with us again, but I know that what he wants most is to get back out there and finish what he's started. He's such a good kid and great example to us all. It's a blessing to have him with us. Thanks Elder Riding! Para siempre Dios este con vos!