This week, Elder Pickering's P-day was changed to Christmas Day. So we received no emails today. However, we had the awesome opportunity to Skype with him which was incredible. It was so good to see his face and hear him talk in person. We were able to joke around together as a family, share updates on everyone, ask him questions about his mission and the work, give encouragement and hear his testimony in Spanish. He has definitely had some challenges thus far in his mission and yet he was happy and assured us that he knows without a doubt that he is exactly where he needs to be at this time. We know that he still has a lot to learn but we could also see how much he has grown and changed already. Talking with him was the best Christmas present ever.
On Christmas Eve he was able to have dinner with a member family (they ate Mole an authentic, yummy, Hispanic food) and go caroling. Christmas morning was spent with other missionaries in their apartment's lounge, opening presents and playing games. After talking with us, he went to another member's house for a dinner and celebration. It was the Vega Family whom Ryan loves immensely. He said that Mayde is the closest thing he has to a mother there, and he just adores the whole family. Mayde sends me pictures at times and lets me know how he is doing. In her recent text she said that she only has daughters and Ryan is like a son to her. I am so grateful that she has opened her home and heart to love and take care of my son.
I think overall Ryan had a nice holiday. He did not seem too homesick and was finding joy in the world around him.
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| Caroling |
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| Christmas morning in the lounge |
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| The Vega Family |
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| One of the sweet messages I have received from Mayde |
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| Together as a family |
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