Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 I want to thank all for your prayers and support for my son. He is free from his sequester (his poor companion not being sick could not even go to p-day for three weeks) Caleb was very sick, so other things were on his mind. But rash is gone and liver enzymes are back to normal…and it was great hearing his voice! Nine and a half months in now…his 21st birthday is in a couple of weeks. If anyone would like to wish him a Happy Birthday, I will include it in my next e-mail, he has heard me speak of many of you often.To other returned missionaries, he began his mission on Jan 12th, I have known of other missionaries who have been allowed to return home for Christmas when their “end date” was close to Christmas? I know this is more than a year away, but do missions still do this? Christmas without him this year will be tough.Love you guys…you are good people.
katherine the great Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 So glad to hear he's doing better Pa Pa! Hopefully once he is fully recovered, his immune system will be even stronger. I assume the mission gives the missionaries flu shots--I swear by them! I think the Christmas thing is probably the mission president's call. I wouldn't worry about it too much--just celebrate the moment!
bluebell Posted September 22, 2011 Posted September 22, 2011 (edited) On my mission, you could go home a few weeks early if you were going to be going back to college and your release date was a couple of weeks into the semester, but there was no option for going home early for a holiday. I have no idea if other missions were the same or how missions operate now.Probably, it would depend, not only on your son's mission president but also on the transfer dates and what your missionary wanted to do.I know a lot of missionaries attempt to stay longer on their mission, rather than come home early and if the transfer date falls at the end of November, for example, making it home for christmas could mean he misses a whole month or more of mission-that might not be something he's comfortable with, even if his mission president gives him the choice.Probably best to just wait and see.I'm so glad that he's feeling better and out of the apartment. I had a companion that was sick (my trainer actually) a lot and after the first week i was ready to do myself in! I'm sure your son and his companion are so excited to be out breathing the free air again! Edited September 22, 2011 by bluebell
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 22, 2011 Author Posted September 22, 2011 So glad to hear he's doing better Pa Pa! Hopefully once he is fully recovered, his immune system will be even stronger. I assume the mission gives the missionaries flu shots--I swear by them! I think the Christmas thing is probably the mission president's call. I wouldn't worry about it too much--just celebrate the moment! I am very happy and proud of the way he dealt with it. His mother must have done something right.
Garden Girl Posted September 24, 2011 Posted September 24, 2011 (edited) Hello Pa Pa...What wonderful news this is... Caleb... Elder Lee... was in my prayers daily, as were you and his mother.About Christmas... I wouldn't push it. Certainly you will miss him, but he has a larger purpose at this time and it might make it more difficult for him if you start trying to see if he can come home for a visit. I personally have never heard of it. My husband and I used to invite the sister missionaries over for Christmas day/dinner. We'd open presents around the tree, sing carols, etc. I know they missed their families, but we did everything we could to make them a warm and happy holiday.I'm sure there is a ward family(ies) that will be including your son with their family celebrations.As Bluebell said, why don't you wait and see.GGEdit to Add: Yes, please do wish him a happy birthday from GG and express how happy I am at his recovery. Edited September 24, 2011 by Garden Girl
Libs Posted September 24, 2011 Posted September 24, 2011 So happy to hear that Caleb is getting back to his normal good health! Yaaay!!
Calm Posted September 24, 2011 Posted September 24, 2011 You can always delay Christmas....while not the same experience, it can become a very unique experience if you choose, emphasizing what is really important about the day rather than what is culturally 'mandated' and since we don't know exactly when Christ was born, why not?
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted September 26, 2011 Author Posted September 26, 2011 I had not though of this is would only be two weeks (next year of course) it would be tough sale to my little granddaughters. Thanks for the idea.
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