Here are a couple of pics from the day we dropped Elder McMullan off. He was having a bit of a hard day. It all started to hit him! Totally normal for ANYONE entering the mission field! For someone that has Aspergers, multiply that by 10..., or 1000!! I can't even imagine! As we were driving to the Mesa Mission home (to drop his off) Elder McMullan wasn't necessarily 2nd guessing his decision, but his anxiety was definitely getting to him. Tim has always had a gift when it comes to settling Matthew down. He always knows the right thing to say! Me..., not so much. Out of NO WHERE he told Matthew that he would most likely meet other missionaries from other countries. This perked Matt's attention right away. I immediately looked over at Tim like "where the heck did that come from??" It was such an out of place comment! I'm sure it was Matthew's love of travel and curiosity that flipped the switch. I remember thinking..., In Mesa??? Really?? I have YET to meet an Elder from another Country in Arizona! Oh well..., whatever works, right?
When we arrived at the Mission home we immediately said a prayer before walking inside. I was hoping to calm his (and mine) fears before leaving him! The second we walked through those doors the most incredible Spirit hit us! It was impossible not to feel! We were immediately greeted by the sweetest, most energetic and powerful Elder. He seemed SO excited to see Elder McMullan and us and gave us the warmest welcome! Tim detected an accent and asked Elder Calio where he was from. He immediately said "Milan, Italy!" I looked over at Matthew who had a huge smile on his face for the first time all day!! I KNEW right away that Tim's comment in the car about Elders from other countries, was truly inspired!!!
There were only 3 Elders there, since the rest of the new Elders were on their way from the Airport with the Mission President and others would be there soon. (by the way..., the other 2 Elders were from Idaho and California! lol) We met a sweet senior couple, the mission nurse who assured me that she would look out for Elder McMullan and 1 office senior
missionary. They gave me his first missionary badge to place on his coat pocket! It was so surreal! (It REALLY would have been surreal had his pocket not been sewn shut! No worries, I was able to do it!) We did not meet the MP or his wife, but felt at peace when we left. We knew he was in great hands!
Matthew had just been set apart by President Ellis. He's feeling some anxiety!
Elder McMullan's official Mission Picture. (Looks a little like a deer in the headlights?)
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