Week 2-1

The Editor: Elder Tonkinson returned to the mission field on Tuesday. He had been sent home at the beginning of the Covid pandemic because he has moderate (though very well controlled) asthma. He appealed twice to be able to go back, even enlisting his allergist in the effort to no avail. He then completed two terms at Brigham Young University (BYU) working online from home, here in Florida. He planned to start at BYU Provo in the fall, registered for class, paid tuition, signed a housing contract. On 1 August, we purchased his ticked to fly to Salt Lake City on 21 August, so that he could spend a week with his older brothers and their families before starting school.

On August 11, the Missionary Department announced changes for missionary service for “Higher-Risk Health Conditions.” Gideon contacted our stake president, who contacted the missionary department, to determine if he would be eligible to serve, and he waited. Still not having heard by 21 August, he took his flight with everything he need for school (and very little he needed for his mission). On 26 August, Gideon received word that he could return to his mission and that they wanted him there by September 8 if possible. He pondered, prayed, and agonized over what to do, and decided to return. We then arranged for me to fly to Utah with his missionary clothes, books and other materials, which I did last Saturday. His brother, Caleb, and I took Gideon to the airport Tuesday afternoon. Salt Lake was having high winds (they hit 110 MPH the night before), and his flight was delayed a few hours, but he finally arrived to the Seattle Airport and was set apart again as a missionary. Tomorrow will be his p-day, and we should get more information then.

Top two photos at Salt Lake International Airport, middle photos from arrival at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, and last two photos from when Gideon was set apart as a missionary and became Elder Tonkinson again.