Missing Hiker's Family Gets Happy Ending At End Of Emotional Week

ROCKLIN (CBS13) - It was an emotional week for Cody Michael's family, but now they're saying thank you and celebrating his return.

"This is all I wanted, was to make it back," said Cody, who went missing Monday, lost in the forest near Donner Summit. "I never expected anything like this. I was expecting one helicopter, maybe a few cop cars, just driving my way back home. I didn't think that this was gonna happen at all."

There was a circle of prayer and so much to be thankful for as friends and family welcomed home Cody at his work, Primo.

"Today is just a celebration of life God and Cody and miracles," said Rula Khatib, Cody's boss.

It's hard to imagine this time last night they were home without their son who was lost in the forest.

"It's just given me tremendous peace. I can't even describe what we've been through. It's like your worst nightmare," said Cody's mother, Dana Michael.

With each passing day and no sign of Cody, friends and family grew weary, but say it was their faith that kept them strong.

"Give it over to God...God's not done with him; he's going to get out of there one way or another. He was trying to do it himself. When he realized it just wasn't working, he just said I'm stopping and setting up here and either they find me or they don't," said Cody's dad, Howard.

His mother, Dana, says she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and countless hours of searching and dedication.

"Just an absolute miracle, and I just can't even describe the feeling of what it was like today and last night. I was feeling like he was out there and he's just gone outside the search area, and, God, you're gonna bring him home," Dana said.

Cody went camping Sunday and was expected to return by noon the next day. Both Cody and his dog, Bauer, made it out with a few cuts and sore feet.