I'm back · 8:27pm Nov 3rd, 2013
Well, it's not exactly Sunday morning... but it's morning somewhere, right?
Hello everyone. This is TheUrbanMoose. Not my wonderful proxy Cheesedork, or a random hacker with a grudge – it's me, in the virtual flesh. As you may have noticed, following a series of silly teaser blogs, I recently posted a new chapter of The Stranger and Her Friend. I hope you all enjoyed it.
"But Moose!" you say. "You told us you were going to be gone for two years starting January 2013! I was so sad when you left! What gives? Was it all a lie?"
No, you silly, mysterious disembodied voice meant to approximate the average reader of this blog, it was not a lie. Let me explain.
I did go on a mission for my church, you see, fully ready to dedicate two years of my life to service. And it was awesome. But about four months in, I started getting sick. Badly. Ever since I started my mission, it had been getting worse and worse. I thought I could handle it, and by God, I tried. It just got progressively more severe. Finally, after months of struggling, seeing doctors, changing between medications and constantly adding more, I could no longer physically handle it. I was given a honorable release by a caring mission president, and sent home on a medical leave.
"I'm glad you're back, but you put me through all that emotional trauma for nothing!"
Wrong again, voice. It was not for nothing. Going on a mission was the best experience I've had in my entire life.
Turns out, the Arizona sun makes for a great refiner's fire (especially if you must endure that fire wearing a black suit). I’ll never forget the time my companion and I helped a man and his son kick their drinking habit and come back to church. Or the time we shoveled snow for someone long after the sun was down and we were supposed to be inside. Or the time we woke up to find we had been pranked, with our truck covered top to bottom in sticky-notes (by people we knew; it was a friendly joke!). Or the countless times we moved people, made them think and feel in ways they never had. I did that. I am not a wise man, but this I know: missionaries touch people in ways others cannot. I influenced lives in a way I never had before, nor will I ever again. Made a difference that businessmen and politicians, influential writers and great speakers would be envious of.
Can you remember what you had for breakfast this morning? What about the last time you changed someone's life?
In the end, we are defined not just by who we are, but by what we have done. Our memories. When we do memorable things, and can recall them with fondness later; that is living. For the months that I served, despite my illness, I had never been more alive!
"So, you had a great time... what now?"
Good question. Now it's back to my stupid, boring, "normal" life. I'm going to school, set to declare a double major in writing and literature. I have my old job back (bless my boss's heart). I suppose I'm just doing the things I used to do. There is always the possibility that I will go back out to the mission field, but for the foreseeable future, it seems I am staying put.
"That's not what I meant. What about fimfiction, and TSaHF?"
Oh, of course, sorry. Yes, I will be continuing to write Stranger, all the way up until the very last word. Though chapters may release somewhat slower, as I am busy with school and whatnot, I have no more planned hiatuses. The ponyfic train has no breaks.
"Hooray!"
Woot woot!
"Anything else I should know?"
A few things, dear reader.
One: Thanks for sticking it out with me, and being so supportive. I'm touched to see so many of you remembered me. Thank you for being there.
Two: This "illness" is not life-threatening. In truth, it has gotten somewhat better. So please don't worry about me!
Three: If you are LDS, and you are considering a mission, even in the slightest... DO IT. You will not regret it. I promise.
Four: If you are not LDS, and you see a missionary on the street... be nice. Say hi. Listen to what he has to say. You don't need to believe him, but they have a hard job, and when a person simply listens, it makes it all worth it. Do it for Moose!
"That was a lot of text. I may have skipped some or all of it. In fact, I have been bluffing my way through this whole conversation."
TL;DR? I am back early from my mission due to medical complications, and I am continuing to write The Stranger and Her Friend.
Thanks again. God bless.
Welcome back, glad you're recovering and I'm kinda sorry you had your mission cut short
I'm very sorry to hear that your mission was cut short by unexpected illness. Still, it was really noble of you to try and stick it out to try and help people out. It's not everyday that you get to change someone's life, let alone multiple people!
Glad to have you back, mate. I said it once many months ago and I'll say it again; your fans respect ya, and we'll stand by ya!
I felt the same way after working with Habitat for Humanity for a summer. It's a great feeling, knowing that you changed someone's life for the better.
Huza! You have returned to us! I missed ya!!
I'm glad that you're back early, though it is a shame that something you were loving was cut short.
At least you got a year of it though. I'm glad it was an amazing experience for you. Hope you do enjoy college though!
Hey, you there! Welcome back!
Good to have you back. Shame about having to come back early from the mission.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better, and I'm even happier to hear that you got what you sought from the experience before it was cut short. I'd be lying if I said that I'm sorry it was cut short, but I can honestly be happy that you came back feeling fulfilled after helping enrich the lives of others. After all, that's what was really important.
I hope your recovery goes well, and I look forward to the next chapter of the story.
Welcome back! Sad to here you had to cut your mission short, but good to here you enjoyed it.
Broski, I missed ya
Glad to have you back, even though it was at such a cost.
Glad to have you back even if it was from less than ideal circumstances but also to hear you're recovering well.
I missed you soo much!
Even though you don't know me, and we've never talked, and I don't think I posted a comment before you left.. but yea!
I cannot wait to see what happens next in the story and I'm happy that you're doing well.
I respect you man, you are an awesome person. Just as everyone else, I'm sorry your mission had to end early due to illness, but I'm glad you are better.
Good luck with life, college and stuff, and thanks for continuing TSaHF; I really love the story.
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All of this plus
Your story is the single most amazing Discord-related thing I've EVER read, and I've pretty much adopted the whole damn thing as my personal head-canon with regards to what Discord did before Celestia and Luna sealed him.
Summary: u rok mi sox d00d
I'm sorry to hear about your health, but I'm glad you keep that attitude about your situation. I'm currently residing in a guesthouse, sharing space with a group of people that are on a WYWAM mission, and I have a lot of respect and admiration for them, and for you as well. Though things seem complicated for you now, I hope this won't be the end of your activities, if you feel inclined to continue, and if the conditions allow.
That said, I'm still stoked about your story continuing. I'm sure glad to be along for the ride. c:
Well, I'm glad that you're back in something approximating one piece and I hope that you recover your health in time.
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i.neoseeker.com/mgv/230240-Xeros_the_Slayer/240/15/broforce.jpg
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Nice to meet you both! Welcome to the... Stranger Herd? Strangherd? Welcome to something. Thanksforreadingmystory
And thank you all for your support! I appreciate it. Like, seriously, a lot.
Congratulations on doing something that you felt was important. You got to do something that so many miss out on, something they are truly proud of and truly helped someone. Can't say I've ever met a missionary, but I'll make sure to be courteous should I ever encounter one, moreso now than ever.
Welcome back, I'm really happy to see you return.