Phone Call Home: Monday, April 3, 2023

Yay for actual face to face calls that come in from Africa! Some days I wish he was back in the small remote villages because I feel like those weeks were almost a little easier to connect a call. Maybe I just think (in my own brain of course) that being in the city the cell towers that are there have to be inundated with lots of use as there are many that are at work and in businesses. Maybe that is why it is hard for a call to connect? That is my theory anyways. :) 

Elder Garcia seems well and happy. We didn't have a ton of time to catch up, but any small window that I get I will totally cherish and love. I seriously am just still so happy that a weekly call is allowed and that Elder Garcia will call when he can. Some highlights from this week:

- There are only eight (8) Monday phone calls home left!!! This being said, Tyler jumped in on the call to offer some words of advice. He reminded Elder Garcia that 'digital film' is cheap. Being able to take a picture and load it onto a drive is much cheaper than having to drop off film like we used to have to do! He encouraged Elder Garcia to go through each day and take a look around. Look at those things that have become normal and day to day that he might miss and that he will want to look back on as he talks about or thinks about his time on the mission. Things that he might not ever be able to recapture. Life has been all Africa for him for these last two (2) years and as he readies himself to come home, I think this is very sound and good advice. 

- Elder Garcia's companion was supposed to go to the dentist and even after confirming and having Sister Proudfoot join them, the dentist was a no show so that was a total waste of a day and to say that Elder Garcia was frustrated would be an understatement. 

- On Saturday, they were able to go out and play some soccer and then for some reason, they had the Missionaries take in all five (5) sessions of General Conference at the same time rather than breaking them up into separate ones like we have here. Elder Garcia loved hearing the talks but he did mention that it made for a long day. Which... I would never have lasted so kudos to him for admitting it out loud!

- This upcoming week he has District Council, Interviews this week, they have plans to get out into their sector (fingers crossed) on Thursday, going to re-try the dentist on Friday and then they will play Saturday by ear depending on how the dentist goes for his companion. He did say too that next Monday they have planned to play a little 'American' football on the beach and have been given the green light to make that happen. He is totally stoked about that! No more soccer! Wahoo!

In all, I think the reality of the time quickly coming to an end is starting to hit Elder Garcia quite heavily. He is starting to ask more and more about home and what life will look like. He is starting to feel the angst of leaving those in Africa who he has come to love being with and learning from. I think he will even miss some of the food that he eats there each day that is sure to be tricky to get here at home. As we ended our call, it was a reminder to keep working hard. Don't climb into bed at night wishing you had done something more or put a little more effort into something. Work your guts out and finish strong. 

I miss Elder Garcia and I am so looking forward to having him home but I just can't shake the feeling that there is still something that will stand out that is yet to come that needs to happen/take place. I will keep him in my prayers and in my thoughts always and I know, as I have trusted over these last two years, that the Lord has him and that there is constant guidance and revelation given in order for Elder Garcia to serve his mission complete. 

Until next week. I love you,

Mom