Monday, May 10, 2010

a phone call from Africa....

Missionaries are able to call their families on Mothers Day and Christmas.
From the minute we hung up the phone on December 25, 2009, I have impatiently anxiously awaited Mothers Day.

 We knew that our missionary was going to be able to call us via Skype between the hours of 7AM and 10AM. 
 I was so excited!
Like the first day of school excited!
Like a little kid waiting for Santa excited!!
I couldn't sleep. I got up early just in case we had the time mixed up. I sat at the computer waiting.
Wringing my hands.....Oh Elder Carter.....call, call, CALL!



And then  just like that....THERE HE IS!!!

His tan little face on the computer screen.

 Suddenly he isn't 10,000 miles away from me.
 But right there.
I can almost...touch...him.
Oh, how I heart you Elder Carter!!
 And I miss you.

 For a brief moment, our family was almost whole again.
(Cameron...get your butt to Tucson ASAP!)
The laughing, the silliness, the joking and the teasing.
The questions. The answers.
 His crazy faces.
His extraordinary happiness.
His testimony.


An hour and a half has never flown by so fast.


 And just like that....he was gone.
With the click of the mouse, he's back in Uganda.
And with him, is a piece of my heart.
And in that hole, a funny little happy-sad feeling.





Well folks, I'm happy to say that was it for my phone calls.
The last one.
There will be no more.
Because on Dec. 22, 2010 he will be home.
And I will really and truly be able to touch him.
And hug him. And kiss him.

I almost don't think I'll make it. :)










9 comments:

colonialhomekeepings said...

Hi Missionary Mom! I too received a phone call, but not quite from so far away. I just posted about mine also. Bless your pea pickin' heart. We are anxiously waiting together.......

Shanda

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Oh, Jo-Anne, I am so happy for you. I know-personally-how important to hear the voice of a loved one you haven't seen for far too long......I know you will feel warm and loved for many days after that---cuz I always do! :)

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Goodness that's a long wait! Only through God's grace could I make it that long without a phone call! I know you'll be counting down the days till Dec. 22.

TrishAnderson said...

You will make it - I KNOW IT!!! I am glad you had a chance to visit with him on Sunday. Just think, that is only 7 months (less than a pregnancy). You can do it!!!!!!

familywithfivekids said...

beautiful post - do I admit it made me cry? Your words have me missing him for you. He is doing great things though!

Loafer Mountain Primitives said...

Hi Jo-Anne!
I'm so happy for you! I understand what a sacrifice it is for the family as a whole to send him off. Oh... But the Blessings to come... The time will pass quickly.
Hugs,
Tisha

Julie said...

How awesome!! And having Skype is so amazing. I think it was just invented for Missionary Moms--really. We KNOW why we have the technology we do ;)!! I hope his last few months...and yours...are fabulous. Julie

Gayle said...

Our phone call was great too! Only 3-1/4 more months for us!

Simple Home said...

I know that you had a great Mother's Day! I'm so glad it was such a blessing. It is so good to see our children grow up and want to serve, but it sure is hard on mamas sometimes.
Blessings,
Marcia