Phone Call Home: Monday, April 4, 2022

You know it's a good Monday when you not only get Mom on the call but you also get a Tyler too! :) Elder Garcia was happy and well today when he called and I love that.

Elder Garcia started his day today by getting a package from home dropped off! And it had American deodorant in it too! Wahoo! The small things really do mean the most afterall. What a great lesson for all of us today. When I told him the cost that it took and then went back to President Proudfoot's email, we both agreed that it just isn't worth the sheer dollar to send stuff while he is there. Thankfully I sent 8 sticks of deodorant instead of 4 like I had originally tossed in my shopping cart. He promises to use it wisely. Ha. There was also some treats in there as a birthday treat so hopefully there is something to share with Elder Meline and something that Elder Garcia was happy about too.

Elder Garcia had interviews with President Proudfoot this week. Transfers are coming up and President Proudfoot asked Elder Garcia what he thought was in store for him next. Elder Garcia said that while he was sitting there he kept getting the impression to share with President that he is looking for more leadership roles. He said it caught him off guard because he said he usually isn't one to go looking or asking for that kind of stuff but it just kept coming to him. So...he shared with President Proudfoot just that. As Elder Garcia talked to me I could tell it was rubbing him a little wrong so I asked if he felt like he went into interviews to campaign. He smiled and said that is exactly what it felt like and that in his email to President this week he tried to explain the whole thing so it didn't come across that way. 

Elder Garcia loved General Conference. He didn't share much as far as what his favorite talks were or that he recognized that the whole Conference was centered on missionaries and the work they do but he did say that he enjoyed it. 

Transfers are next week for Elder Garcia and he is anxious to learn what is next and/or where is next. He has enjoyed training Elder Meline and has grown with the opportunity. I am always on edge when I know transfers are coming because I wonder even more I think! I don't know the area and I sure don't know what each new sector holds but I wonder if there will be good people who will take care of him, who will love him, who will embrace him, who will allow him into their homes to teach them, or who will leave an impression on his heart for a lifetime. There are so many thoughts as a Mom when it comes to sending your kids out on a mission but amplify that when they are gone (in a whole other country you know nothing about!) and you just pray that they have someone good in each spot to take your spot if you will. 

I miss having Elder Garcia home and around and being able to see him each day but I am grateful he is in Africa. I realize that when he comes home he will move out and start college and life as an adult so maybe this is just prep work on me and my heart to make it all a little easier. I am going to say that for today. It's just the way the Lord is going to prepare me. :) 

I love you to the moon and back,

Mom