September 19, 2016

September 12, 2016

Dear family & friends,

We received the news that Mattias will be coming back home to be released as a missionary next week for medical reasons on September the 21, 2016. Mattias's hips had begun giving him problems again for quite some time now.  He has been seeing several doctors in his mission area, but they can't do much while he's serving his mission.  To go through this again has been pretty frustrating for Mattias.  He has loved his San Jose California Mission so much!  He loves his mission president and his companions.  He loves the people there and has met so many people there that love him, too. 

We are so proud of him!  He is one of the 5% of missionaries that do return to the mission to serve as full-time missionaries after having been sent home for medial reasons.

Mattias has served a pretty interesting mission.  While serving in the MTC, ready to go to his mission in Argentina, his whole group of missionary friends from the MTC received their visas in time to leave to Argentina, except for Mattias an another sister.  Mattias was sent to the San Fernando California Mission to serve there for six weeks until his Visa finally came.

After serving in the San Fernando California Mission, Elder Malzl left to his Mendoza Argentina Mission where he served so happily until he had to came back for medical reasons.

Back home, while recovering from his first hip surgery, he served as a service missionary at the Bishop's Store House.  For this calling he was set apart and served wearing his missionary service tag.

After his second surgery, Mattias while recovering and waiting and hoping to be called again to a full time mission, he prepared to be a temple worker. He had his interviews and he was ready to be set apart as a temple worker when he received his mission call to the San Jose California Mission! Mattias was so happy that he went out to celebrate with ice-cream with his his best friend.

Mattias has given his best to serve the Lord as a missionary.  As his parents we want him to feel absolutely confident and content knowing that he has served a full time and completed his mission.  We are so proud of him for having given his best in the mission field, regardless his challenges with his hips.

In one of his letters Mattias wrote the following: 

"I love the mission so much, and I don't want to come home, but I'm willing to follow the will of God. He knows me better and knows what's best for me. I'm very grateful for all these things I have to go through. This week Ether 12:27 has been on my mind a lot. It lets me know that if I'm
humble and trust in God, he will make my weaknesses become absolute strengths. It's comforting to know that."

Mattias will arrive Wednesday, September, 21 at 1:07 pm at the Salt Lake City Airport.  He is traveling with a group of missionaries that come home having finished their missions as well.

We will all go to receive him with signs, the Argentina flag, the California flag, balloons, etc.  We would like to invite you to come to the airport in support of his arrival. We want him feel loved and supported by his family and friends.

We understand if you cannot make it.  We know that many of you have work, live far away, and have other responsibilities.

If you can come to the airport on that day, please bring a sign or balloons or just be there to hug him.

Mattias's Home Coming Talk at Sacrament Meeting:

Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 1:00 pm

at the White Church in Mapleton (31 West Maple Street

MAPLETON, UTAH 84664)

It's the same week that he arrives.

With much love,

Christoph, Laly, Melanie, Kiana, and Daniel