Earlier in the week, my contact in Franklin (The wonderful sister that sends me pics of the girls) texted to find out about any breakfast traditions for Christmas that our family might have. It was so sweet! We sent out Sticky Buns recipe and Sister Merril sent a recipe for a breakfast casserole. This wonderful family showed up Christmas morning at the sister's doorstep with these yummy foods. Sister Poulsen said that it made her cry! Then she started to tear up telling us about it. Much love to these families that think about our missionaries and try to help them enjoy the day! #blessed
We had a great chat! We talked about everything from bugs, to bikes, to southern BBQ, and her new found love of salad. She also talked very proudly of being able to run for 20 minutes now. YAY! She talked about how much she loves her mission president and his wife and how wonderful the members of her Franklin ward is. She is very much looking forward to the mission-wide conference that they will be having in January when Elder Cook will get to come and speak to them. She is very excited to hear from him, but almost as excited to see all the other missionaries in her mission - especially Sister Smith.
And we got to have a family photo and a prayer together. The photo was a silly selfie. We gotta figure out something better for our next and last phone call at Mother's Day. #glare
But I do like that we got a pic of both of my guys smiling in the same shot! #ChristmasMiracle
Before the family prayer (which was super tender and awesome) Sister Poulsen and Sister Merrill sang a pair of duets of some Christmas songs. They both have beautiful voices - I have really missed singing in this house. Then Sister Poulsen surprised us by beatboxing the second verse (a la Pentatonix) while Sister M finished out the song. It was super cool. We cheered loud! By that time our SD card was full so we missed that and the recording was poor on the cell phone - plus the Skype reception was not great. They promised that they would do it again and get it recorded on Sister P's camera so they would have a good copy of it.
Sister M will be transferred this week and so this a farewell two days for them. Goodbyes are hard and this phone call was no different. Before signing off, Sister Poulsen sweetly bore her testimony that she had come to know, for herself, that Christ lives. She has a very strong testimony of fasting. And loves talking to people about the gospel because it is true. She said that a way that she has really grown is that she really knows what Charity is now and she has a lot more patience. She knows that this is were she is supposed to be and this testimony helps her to stay and keeping doing this work even tho it is a very hard thing to do. We love her so much and are so very proud of this incredible sacrifice that she has been making now for that last 10 months. We are so grateful for the companions that she has had and for the wonderful mission leaders and ward members that have been so supportive and helpful to our girl.
We love you, Tara Bean! #8monthstogo
