Since Michael has "left" for his mission, I wish to express my gratitude for him. We love him with a pure and tender love and feel so blessed to have him as our son.
I am so grateful for a son who is kind and loving and sensitive. I am grateful for his ability to laugh and enjoy life. I am thankful for his fun loving nature and for his ability to find joy in life. He loves to tease and joke and play around.
I am grateful for his unique talents and abilities. Michael has always been incredible with children. He has great patience with them, and works well with them. Our granddaughter, Addie loves him so much and would rather be with him at this point than with her grandparents. One of his jobs at the YMCA has been to work with local children as they learn basketball, soccer, sports in general, etc., He is a natural with ALL children. I have always told Michael he will be a GREAT father because he loves children so much!
I am grateful for Michael’s goodness. He wants to do the right thing and has been willing to serve wherever he is needed. In our small church branch, Michael has usually been the “substitute” whenever one is suddenly needed. He has been a relief teacher in Primary, and nursery quite often.
I am grateful for Michael’s willingness to serve. His last church calling was as a branch missionary. He has gone on MANY splits with the Elders. He has learned much from them and their examples.
I am grateful for Michael’s desire to cleave to his family. He has always had an internal need to know where the members of his family are, what time they will be back, when they are home, etc., The biggest sacrifice he will experience while on his mission is missing his family. One of his greatest wishes before his mission was to meet his future sister-in-law Sarah before he left. Thank you Ryan and Sarah for making that happen!
I am grateful for Michael’s love for the gospel. Michael’s major desire before his mission was to attend General Conference. We were able to fulfill that dream and he was so grateful and said it was one of the best weekends in his life.
I am grateful for Michael’s enthusiasm. He seems like a quiet child (he even has a label from his aunt, “The perfect child”), but he can hoop and holler when he watches football. He has a great love for football (especially college football) and we will miss his excitement for the game.
I am grateful for Michael’s perspective. He injured his shoulder (big time) playing football (the guy who injured it is now an Ohio State football player) and had to have surgery on it and forfeit playing High School football. His perspective was amazing (for one so young). He told me “Mom, I think I am supposed to learn something from this”, and also said “I know this trial will make me stronger.”
I am grateful for Michael’s compassion. He has a special friend in our village named Jake. Jake has down’s syndrome and has a hard time fitting in. He is about 16 and goes to school with the other kids his age. Jake was always calling our home and asking if Michael “could play”. Michael was truly a friend to Jake and Jake knew it! They would go play basketball together, go to the YMCA and swim, play video games in our attic, watch movies together, etc., I really believe Michael understands how special Jake is. I am grateful for Michael’s example in this area!
If I could describe Michael in several words, the first word I would use is that he is valiant. He has shown courage in many situations of standing for the right. He has been an incredible influence and an example to many, many people in our community. It has not been easy for him in many circumstances living in the mission field, but he has been strong and valiant and has overcome what he has needed to overcome.
I would also describe Michael as family-oriented. He loves the sociality of a family and loves being with his family. He loves the closeness and togetherness of a family.
I know so many of you love and appreciate Michael also and are praying for his success as a missionary. Thank you for your kindness to him and to our family!
Well, you can tell how much my heart is involved in this bittersweet moment in a mother’s life when she lets her missionary go. The main emotion I am feeling however is GRATITUDE (roller coaster high) to God for blessing me in such incredible ways!
