Elder McMullan gets a blog!

I'm a month late with starting this blog.  I suppose it's because my emotions as a mom are very tender and also...., I'm not sure that Elder McMullan would want one!  BUT, since so many people are asking how he's doing, that this is the easiest way to share information! 

Elder McMullan entered the Mission field on Tues Jan 16, 2018.  This has been a LONG road.  The process started over a year ago.  Since Matthew has Aspergers Syndrome, he was referred to LDS services to be "evaluated."  He met a couple of times with them, and took numerous tests.  They wanted to make sure that Matthew would be as successful as possible.  I think they had their doubts that Matthew could serve a "normal" mission, but the family certainly did not!  (Neither did Matt!)  This was by far the hardest obstacle!  Watching your son be judged with a skewed view was heart wrenching.  The counselor truly did not "get" Matthew at all and the communication from him to our Stake President, then back to us was severely lacking.  HOWEVER, as hard as that was.., I knew this would all make sense in the future.  For some reason, Matthew was being delayed.  It had nothing to do with his worthiness, his desire to serve, or any such thing.  It was the Lord's timing!  I prayed constantly to keep that faith!  It was so hard to see Matthew struggle.  He was hurting and knew he could do it!  He just wanted to be treated like everyone else. 

This whole process was hard, but also humbling for Matthew.  He made it absolutely clear that he DID NOT want to go to the Salt Lake City headquarters Mission.  This is a FABULOUS mission where many Elders who have anxiety, Aspergers, or other mild difficulties can serve a successful mission!  Tim and I thought that this would be a wonderful option, but Matthew felt very differently.  He expressed his desire to be "called" to serve a mission, instead of being "sent" to a mission.  His patriarchal blessing speaks a lot about his mission and it states that "your mission will be the foundation for the rest of your life!"  Matthew took those words to heart (as he should) and KNEW what was best for him!  Fast forward to a couple of months ago...,when he finally received his temporary 2 transfer mission call to Mesa Arizona.  We were all thrilled!!!  FINALLY a chance for Matthew to prove himself!!  We pray for him DAILY!

I will do my best to publish his emails here.  He does not write just one email a week.  He responds to every email, so I try to pull all the emails I can and include them here.., especially when he gives different details to different people! :) 

Here we go!!!!