Unexpected Occurences

Note from Tiff...

Monday, I had 2 missed calls on my phone from the MTC when I got done at work. My heart started pounding and I started to feel sick to my stomach. I called the number back and they said President Cardon (district pres in the MTC) had left his office. A few hours later, my phone rings again and it's the MTC calling. I answer and hear Sawyer's voice on the other end... I was expecting President Cardon. Sawyer told me they have decided what is going to happen... You see... a couple weeks ago I received a call from President Cardon telling me that Sawyer wanted to run something by me. He wanted me to know an option they were considering. He went on to tell me that Sawyer is still having a very rough time. He is seeing family counselors and they believe that he is in too much pain emotionally to enter the mission field at this time. They said he needs to figure out something with the family situation at home before going out to serve or he will only be half hearted. So, President Cardon explained that Sawyer's VISA to get to Mexico has been delayed 6 more weeks which would mean, he would be in the MTC 6 weeks longer... but, instead of that, they were thinking of sending him home for those 6 weeks in order for him to maybe relieve some of the emotional pain he is experiencing and then he will return to the MTC in 6 weeks and head out to Mexico with the next group who leaves once his VISA is ready. Well, tomorrow is the day that mom and dad will be picking him up. We don't need to think of this as a bad thing. This is an opportunity for him to work some things out in his heart and mind just like everyone else in our family needs to do (just like I need to do)! It is a blessing that they are understanding of his situation and are willing to give him this time.

I hope and pray that people at home will be considerate and understanding. His plan is to return to serve his mission in 6 weeks. Please be supportive and encouraging during this time. He knows and we all know that people will be crude... there will be people who say things and assume things and it will be tough, but, please know that he is a worthy young man who really has the desire to serve his Lord like he has been called to do. He is a good kid and it's hard to see him suffering like this... it's hard to suffer like this myself but it makes it even worse to see my siblings in so much pain as well. Please keep Elder Sawyer Garrett Goff and Elder Austin Gene Goff in your prayers and if you do hear others saying things that they know nothing about, please stick up for Sawyer. He needs it. He needs people who will be kind and help him push through this.  We all need strength right now. Please keep the Goff Family in your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot.