May 30, 2019
Josh came home to recover from a severe case of stomach flu that the hospital in Yakima thought was Crohn's disease. (TALK ABOUT A SCARY COUPLE WEEKS!) He was taken through the airport in a wheelchair--weak, drugged up on Hydrocodone, and 10 lbs under-weight. But that didn't stop his sisters from nearly knocking him over when he came in the door.
His doctor was able to get him right in and rule out both fears: 1) ulcerative colitis flare and 2) Crohn's disease. He soon received clearance to return to his mission. Meanwhile we enjoyed time with him:
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| Legos during General Conference |
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Easter 2019
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| Jamie's Birthday Dinner |
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| Soccer |
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| Sunday Family Time |
A few days before his departure date, Josh relapsed. He lost 10 additional pounds and was unable to return when expected. After the crisis passed, he needed several weeks to put on weight and rebuild his stamina. Again, we enjoyed time with him:
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| Abby and James taking out their Endowments at the Manti Temple |
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Cheering Jamie on at State Solo and Ensemble
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Throwing the football while girls tell about their day
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As his stamina improved he could do more--and so he did!
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Last of the season snowboarding up Fairview Canyon
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| Kolob hike at Zion's National Park |
May 23, 2019 he received his travel papers to return to his mission in 4 days! So after a few tears (by me, the mom) we took him to the Scandinavian festival in Ephraim, ate one last time at his favorite restaurant--Malena's, and returned to the Stake President's office to be set apart again.
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| Peter Breinholt performance |
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| Scandinavian Festival |
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Waiting at the stake president's office to be set apart
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We took him to the airport, and there he met up with a sister missionary from his mission who was also returning after dealing with her health problems--thyroid cancer.
Letting him go seemed harder this time, but we're so thankful his health has returned and he can return to Washington. These past 8 weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions. As always, Josh remained stoic through it all. And though he rode his motorcycle more often than I would have liked :), he remained true to his missionary study habits and virtue. When we dropped him off and watched him go through security, we saw him confidently strike up a conversation with a stranger and I thought, "this once reserved, never-talk-to-strangers young man is empowered as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to go back into the world where he is comfortable, willing to serve, and eager to bring souls unto Christ." His sister gets married next week. Josh will miss the wedding. But the Lord wants him serving the people of Washington--and so he is there. Our hearts are full: 3 John 1:4
Josh came home to recover from a severe case of stomach flu that the hospital in Yakima thought was Crohn's disease. (TALK ABOUT A SCARY COUPLE WEEKS!) He was taken through the airport in a wheelchair--weak, drugged up on Hydrocodone, and 10 lbs under-weight. But that didn't stop his sisters from nearly knocking him over when he came in the door. 
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