Today I'd like to flash back to two years ago when my little brother Michael became Elder Alisa and left to serve the Lord as a missionary in Puerto Rico. This post is dedicated to him because he will be returning from Puerto Rico NEXT WEDNESDAY!!! Woohoo!! I can't believe it's been two years already! He will first go home to Hawaii and then will come to Utah on December 23. I'm so excited to see him!
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| Dropping off Elder Alisa at the MTC two years ago. |
Like I've said in many previous posts, Michael is the coolest in our family and everyone's favorite sibling. haha As the baby of the family he always seemed to be light years ahead of us when we were his age. Even as a little elementary school kid he used to hang out with me and my high school friends - he was just part of the group. We all tease Michael for having it "easy" growing up (by the time he came around our family wasn't as poor as we were when we were growing up, so he got things like pizza and fast food which we NEVER got haha) but he's always been sweet, polite, respectful and humble. I love my baby brother! Like I said, he's our favorite. haha
Because our relationship has always been close, it was very emotional for me when he left. I still remember the day he was born. I remember when he wore diapers. I remember when he was learning how to read. When I called home from my mission and I remember I didn't recognize him because his voice was so low. I have so many little memories of him growing up and it's so crazy to me that he's old enough to be a MISSIONARY! No matter how old he gets, though, he'll always be my baby brother.
As a missionary, he has made me so proud. He has served the Lord with all his might, mind and heart. His knowledge, testimony and heart have grown in so many ways. He is such an example to me. It's been amazing reading about his experiences and trials these past two years. He's met so many wonderful people and had so many miracles happen. He was an awesome representative of Jesus Christ and I'm so grateful for the mission he has served and the testimony he has shared.
In closing, I want to share the letter he wrote me last week - his last letter to me from the mission field.
Mary ... I feel many emotions right now and I could talk about them for a long time but the most overwhelming emotion that I'm feeling is gratitude.
i'm so grateful mary... i love my Savior
Elder Alisa
Love you Elder Alisa! Nos Vemos Pronto!
6 comments:
what a sweet post about Michael! I can't believe it's already been 2 years! Time REALLY does fly! I'm so proud of Michael too and am happy to see him returning him. It'll be awesome to see him again.
dang that was WAY fast!!! I cant believe he's coming home already. watch out mary, your baby brother is going to get married REAL fast. wait...i just thought of a brilliant idea... he should marry my sister, they'd make a beautiful couple... i told my sister she can't get married for another couple of years but i'll make an exception for michael =)). yay...now how am i going to initiate this....hmm....haha.
man, he must be out-of-this-world cool because i think all of you are super cool. lol. no really! anyway, that was beautiful. in those two years of him serving you had two more kids. lol. amazing. congrats on your little bro. serving a mission is a great service for him and his future family.... and of course, the people of puerto rico!
beautiful post mary! i can't believe he's already coming back. time flies! and michael should marry MY sister. oh wait, she's too old for him! hahaha. you'll have your hands full keeping the ladies away from him. ;)
Sucha sweet post! Everyone is so lucky to know an awesome young man as Michael! Too bad he'll miss the family party...we'll just have to throw another one! :)
omg, mary- he came over to lesina's wedding with your parents and i got to talk with him for only a few minutes and i gotta agree, he is such a cool kid! it was great to see him... noke and i think he is such a stud. lol. great post, welcome home elder alisa!
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