Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009
While serving a full-time mission, missionaries only contact
with family and friends is by mail except for a phone call on
Christmas and on Mother's Day. (If they are in the Missionary Training
Center as Andrew was on Mother's Day, they do not get a phone call -
too few phones for the number of missionaries and they have only
recently left home.) As you may imagine these calls are highly
anticipated.
About 1pm our time, 3pm Saskatoon time, Andrew called my cell,
gave me his contact information, and I called him back. For almost 2
hours (1 hour, 54 minutes , 44 seconds) we passed him around,
including a conference call to Washington state. He was able to talk
to all of his siblings, all 3 of his siblings-in-law, a brief Merry
Christmas from a niece and a nephew, and, of course, me, Mom. (I
claimed bookend privileges.)
All 16 of the Saskatoon elders were gathered at a church
building, playing games and calling home. (Each companionship has a
cell phone.) A wonderful couple, Brother and Sister Watson, was
preparing to feed all 16 young men Christmas dinner.
Elder Robarts sounded good, strong, and happy. He spoke
enthusastically of the beauty of the sparkling snow and the joys of
sliding on ice. He talked about chatting with people who were out
putting up their Christmas lights, offering to help, but at least
getting to talk to them and share a brief message. He admitted that
sometimes learning to live with a new companion was a growth
experience. He listened eagerly to Christmas tales from home - for
instance how his brother Joseph twice had to do treasure hunts through
the house to find his gifts. He expressed gratitude for packages from
home, his sister Sariah, and friends the Miles family. He said it was
one of the best Christmases ever.
There was joy in his voice and it was a joy to hear it.

Sent from my iPod