Last night we all joined together (David's side of the family) to hear Stewart open his mission call! (Stewart is my nephew, Colby's cousin, on his father's side) after some waiting and adjusting of all the audio/video equipment, Stewart began to read...

"Elder Stewart R Perry, you have been called to serve in the...

MOZAMBIQUE MAPUTO Mission

for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Africa!! Not what I expected for Stewart at all! I envisioned him going somewhere like Paris, or London. He speaks French, so I guess I anticipated him actually using that language on his mission. We did a little research on the Mozambique area, and the speak Portuguese, Swahili, and other local dialects. He will be a great missionary there, and I'm excited for all that he will learn while serving the Lord.

I will admit, when I first heard him say "where" I was relieved it wasn't Colby. My first thoughts were, Africa? Hot, lots of walking, very rural, and very dusty. Maputo is actually a fairly large city, right on the Indian Ocean. The pictures we looked at were of a very pretty area. I'm sure there will be plenty of walking, plenty of heat, and plenty of dust, but there will also be plenty of help, plenty of opportunities for service, and plenty of support for him.

Colby's papers will be officially submitted in two weeks. I figure three weeks until he gets his call? I wonder where he'll be headed to serve the Lord...

I have officially finished my part of Colby's mission paperwork. I filled out the information for the health insurance, and even uploaded a copy of our benefits summary so they have that on file, just in case. Now we just have to get two small cavities filled and his bishop can hit the "submit" button. I'm slowly getting excited =) When I picture him out there working hard and doing what he's supposed to I get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling inside. When I think of me, with him gone, and no project to keep me busy, I start to get anxious. Guess I better get a project lined up. Any ideas?

We skyped with him again yesterday. It seems to have become a ritual, Sunday evenings between 6-7 pm. This time our video stream couldn't keep up with the audio stream, so we just talked. His stream was fine, but ours seems to be SEVERAL minutes behind. The wind must have been blowing the wrong way... =) He's doing well. Had a PE test today, and a presentation in his public speaking class tomorrow, but that seemed to be it for the week. We are trying to get him home for President's Day weekend, so that we can celebrate his birthday. I also need to get a package together to send to him for his ACTUAL birthday. A party in a box, kinda thing. Better get working on that...

We skyped with Colby again on Sunday, it's always fun to chat with him. This time we invited Lindsay and Lauren Greer over for dinner. Linda, Brian, Hailey, and Ally were out of town for a family wedding, and we didn't want Lindsay and Lauren to have to eat Sunday dinner all by their lonesome. They thought it was pretty weird that we ate dinner "together" through skype. I need to find better speakers though. This time Austyn brought up her ihome, and we plugged the laptop into it. It was better, but still not ideal. It cuts out sometimes, and then I only get about every third word Colby says. I have stupid hearing anyway, and that makes it even more difficult for me to understand what he's saying. We'll work on that =)

Colby is doing well. He isn't a fan of his Public Speaking class, but then we knew he wouldn't like it very well. He presented his first "speech" last week, a group presentation, so it wasn't AS intimidating. This next presentation is also a group, and they get to present a children's picture book! He called me to see if I had any ideas =) I love it when I get to collaborate with my kids on projects! He also sent me a paper he's working on, to edit and punctuate. That's always fun. I think I should be a book proof-reader. Now THERE'S a great job! =)

We are trying to figure out some fantastic way to celebrate Colby's 19th birthday coming up...he has class on the actual day, but I need to do something fun for him. Any and all ideas are appreciated! I would love to order a pizza and have it delivered to him, but I don't think there's a pizza place IN Ephraim. Party in a box?? Send balloons, goodies, etc. in a box and have Chris (his roommate) set it up for him? HELP!!

On the mission front, I've updated his file online with all the insurance info, so that parts done. just a-waitin' on that darn cavity filling appointment to turn in final papers. A co-worker took her son to the MTC this last week, and I was waiting anxiously for her the next day to hear her report...how she survived, etc. The first words out of her mouth? "Jeana, it was awful!" Great. Something to look forward to. =) She was impressed that so many families were sending children. "What great faith from so many, to send all those young men and women out into the world." I hope I have some faith by then...