Christmas Video Call

It was amazing to be able to talk with Nathan on Christmas Day!  He and his companion went to the home of a church member, and were able to use his computer to call home.  Nathan was wearing a Christmas tie that we hadn't seen before, and told us earlier that day they went to Christmas brunch at a member's home, and the father told Nathan he needed a Christmas tie, so he gave him one of his.  They opened presents with that family, and Nathan expressed gratitude to the family members who sent him packages and mail.

Nathan and Elder Crowley also had a discussion that day with the young man they met several weeks ago (see 12/15/2014 post) who is from Utah.  He identifies himself as agnostic, but Nathan said he does believe in a higher power, and wants to believe in a higher power.  Nathan said he is aware it will take time, perhaps even years, for this man to work through his beliefs, but he is thankful to be a part of that searching process.

Nathan also told us a little more about the investigator who wants to be baptized soon (see 12/22/2014 post).  Her desire is strong, but he also identified problems they knew would surface.  They are working through the discussions with her, and she needs to attend church first.  He also explained that she smokes once in a while, and is trying to give that up.  We'll definitely be keeping Nathan and his investigators in our prayers.  We know the power of the Atonement to change lives when people connect to the Savior.

It was great to just be able to see Nathan and talk with him!  We got one of our first real snow storms of the season on Christmas Eve, and the kids walked outside to show Nate our white Christmas.  He said it was in the mid-50's in Virginia that day, and they hadn't had snow yet, but they get a lot of rain and he is getting a lot of use out of his umbrella.

Nathan also explained a little more about the area and transfers.  He said it is rare to go through several transfers as a new missionary without being moved.  Usually new missionaries go through two trainers, and are with each one for six weeks.  Nathan said his mission president just wants them to be able to stay together and experience the fruits of their labors in the area they are in.  It is an area where the previous missionaries weren't working and it has taken a lot of work and effort to get things going again.  Nathan and his companion get along well, so it is a great start to his mission.

He shared funny, humorous stories, and when we asked him if he had to eat anything strange yet, his first response was, "Well, I haven't had to eat squirrel yet."  He then told us about eating boiled cabbage and some kind of mystery meat ("brains or something like that") at a member's house.  Yuuuuummmm!

On Christmas Eve, our family tradition is to have a winter indoor picnic.  We lay out blankets on the living room floor and have hamburgers and egg nog.  For the past three or four years, we've taken pajama feet pictures with all of us sitting in a circle with our feet in the center.  This year, we got a pair of Nate's wrestling sweats, and rolled up a yoga mat and a blanket for legs inside the sweats and put Nate's slippers on the end of the sweats for feet.  It was fun until the image of just empty sweats hit me, and it didn't take long for me to be missing my boy!  Then Champ (our dog) went and laid on Nathan's "legs."   We stood up and were taking other pictures, and turned around and Champ was still there on Nate's sweats.  Thankfully, I got all the tears out that night, and was able to just talk to him the next day!  When it was just Tim and I talking to Nathan, he said he's thankful he hasn't really struggled with homesickness.  He said he enjoys what he is doing, and "this is my life right now."  It was so good to hear that.  For some reason, as a mom I'm ok if I know my kids are ok.

Champ on Nate's "legs"