Welcome Home!

Hi everyone,

Wanted to let everyone know that Cameron came home from his mission Monday. He has been "pretending" that he was doing well when in reality he was coming apart at the seams. In spite of having a good companion he was very depressed and having a tremendous amount of anxiety and the mission president felt it best to have him come home. In less than twenty four hours he was already beginning to feel better. He is embarassed but his anxiety level is so much better. Because of this quick adjustment we are pretty sure that it is the Separation Anxiety that was rearing it's ugly head. He's had that for many years but we thought we had a handle on it by having him be away from home for a week or so at a time and him handling it. We had a great talk with the stake president that helped Cameron feel better. He told him that he had willingly and faithfully served a mission and has done all that the Lord has asked of him and that it doesn't matter where you serve but your willingness to serve. And Cameron was definitely willing. We couldn't be more proud of him!

Over the last couple of weeks I've had a lot of questions, wondering why we felt so good about having him go on a mission when in the end it wouldn't work out. It became clear to me as we spent time together as a family and Cameron shared his testimony and the experiences he had at the MTC and in Washington, that he had the mission experience and that was important. Our stake president told him to consider himself a returned missionary and that he was being extended an honorable medical release. Cameron is a good young man with a strong testimony and I'm confident that he is going to be okay. He did his very best (probably more than that in fact) and fulfilled his duty and I hope he will continue to feel good about that. He may consider a service mission. Lots of things to think about and consider now. I so appreciate everyone's love and support in getting him on his mission and know that you will all understand and continue to support him now when he needs it the most. I love you all!!!

Elder Woodbury in Vancouver, Washington

As most of you know, Cameron entered the MTC on December 17, 2008. Thanks to everyone who came to hear him speak. It meant the world to him and to me. It was really weird having him gone on Christmas. I miss him so much but I'm so happy for him! I'm not going to lie, the MTC was difficult for Cameron. Long days and lots of sitting is hard on him. But he perservered and learned so much. He bears a very strong testimony and is ready to start teaching.

Elder Woodbury left the MTC and entered the Washington Kennewick mission on January 13, 2009. We got to talk with him for about an hour while he was at the airport. He was nervous, anxious, and excited. It was great to hear his voice! We got another call from the mission president's wife, Sister Belnap, that evening. She informed us that he arrived safely and gave us the address of where he is going. Vancouver, Washington! It's just across the river from Portland, Oregon. I guess it's very green and rainy most of the time. He is living in the home of a couple who are members of the church. The short note we got in the mail yesterday says he likes his companion and his Mission President. It is a biking area so he has already bought a bike. Thanks to everyone who has prayed in Cameron's behalf. He is begging for letters so I am posting his address.

Elder Cameron Woodbury

13217 NE 49th Street

Vancouver, WA 98682