Back Together

 Matt and Cody have had a trip planned to Spain for a while.  Before Jonah left on his mission Matt told him that they were leaving one day open and if Jonah's mission president would allow it, they would try to come see him.  Jonah loved the idea and we hoped somehow it would work out.  When Jonah got to know President and Sister Munns he knew they would be fine with it.  The next obstacle was Jonah is in Northern France, which would make it hard to get to him.  Jonah told the AP's the situation and asked if him and his companion could come into Paris that day to see them.  He said they played a joke on him and called him and told him sorry it wouldn’t work out, but then they said just kidding and told him that would be fine! Jonah and his companion took the train into Paris Monday night and stayed at the AP’s apartment. Cody and Matt flew into Paris early Tuesday morning.  

Matt promised me he would take lots of pictures and videos and he did not disappoint!

He got the best video of them seeing each other and giving each other a hug. 

I love the video so much!  They hug and talk for a minute and then hug again. Jonah shared the video and wrote, “First time seeing twin in 2 years QUOI”

The. Cody took Matt’s phone and recorded while Jonah hugged Matt. It was amazing and I’m so glad I got to watch it on video! 

They met at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Matt and Cody went inside while they were waiting for Jonah. 

They took Jonah’s sibling gift and some pants we ordered for him. 

Seeing these two together makes me so happy! It was so hard for Jonah to say goodbye to Cody two years ago.  I’m so glad they didn’t have to wait another two years to see each other. 

Matt took videos of them walking down the street together.  I loved watching them.  

They walked over to church so Jonah could leave his stuff there. Matt said it was fun to look around the church.

After that Matt bought them all lunch.  Elder Sheen is one of the AP’s, the other AP went to the temple with Jonah’s companion.  Matt called me while they were at the restaurant.  I thanked Elder Sheen for making this happen and he told me that I have an amazing son! 

Jonah wrote, “first French restaurant did not disappoint.”

After lunch they went to the Eiffel Tower. 

Jonah was excited about that because he hasn’t been there yet. 

Matt called me and told me all about the day. He said when they got on the train to go to the Eiffel Tower Jonah and Elder Sheen got right to work talking to everyone on the train and trying to find people.  Matt said Jonah seemed very comfortable with the language and talking to people. 

Matt said Jonah told them that he has grown a lot and is excited to learn and grow more.  Matt said it was so good to see him and that he seems like he is doing great. 

It’s so crazy that Cody and Jonah were just hanging out in Paris. 

Matt said Elder Sheen was very complimentary of Jonah and said he is one of their best missionaries.

After that Elder Sheen and Elder Loosli had to leave for an appointment and it was almost time for Matt and Cody to fly back to Spain.  I’m so grateful to Matt and Lori for making this happen.  It was such a blessing for Jonah and me! After I talked to them at the restaurant and watched the videos, I just laid in bed and cried (happy tears). I could feel my mom with me.  I just knew she was so happy watching them together. I kept thinking about the song, "The Goodness of God" so I turned that on and laid there and cried and felt close to mom.  Missing mom and missing Jonah is so heavy sometimes.  I'm so grateful for this experience that helped me feel close to both of them.

Busy Week

While we were talking to Jonah he said the sunrise was amazing and showed us on the phone.  He took this picture of it and wrote, "Top of the murnin France."

For P-day they met up with the sisters in Dunkirk.  They were going to go bowling, but Jonah said a lot of things are closed on Monday.

They went to a park instead.  Jonah took pictures of the horses they saw for Caitlyn.

He loved the pizza they got for lunch. 

Jonah called me again on p-day to tell me that he bought a coat. He said it was a nice coat and he decided to try and buy it and if his card got declined (the bank flags stuff as fraud a lot) then he wouldn't get it, but it went through.  He said it's a very drippy coat. 

He said the Fall colors were really pretty.

He loves to go into Dunkirk and see the ocean.

Sister Pruvost wants them to come over for dinner as often as they can and she always wants a picture. 

He took this picture while they were getting the visa.  You can see all of Paris from this view point.

Sandy Autry texted me and told me that they were in the same ward as the Munn's when they first got married so Jonah told them when he saw them.  He added this picture and said, "Shoutout to the Autry's."

They had to go into Paris this week for his companion to update his visa. 

While they were there they got to attend the Paris zone conference too. 

Elder Haubrich and Elder Loosli.

Elder Hafen and Elder Wilkins were there to get their visa as well.

They went to a candy shop and Jonah was very excited to get some Mike and Ikes.

There are a lot of things from home that he is missing. I wish we could send him all his favorite snacks and foods, but the shipping would be outrageous, and who knows if it would even make it there!

Here he is in from of the Louvre Museum.

The Louvre pyramid right outside the museum.

It's so fun to see all of these famous places in his pictures. 

He said he took these pictures because the buildings looked cool.

Another pretty sunrise.

He wrote, "Too early for this." 

 They helped a family in their ward, the Clabaux's.  They bought a castle that they are renovating and Jonah and his companion helped them take out the cement walls in the basement. He said they used to hide jews in the basement of this castle during World War II.

He added a video and wrote, "Yes, I'm wearing shorts. 

He wrote, "I'm gonna wreck it!"

He wrote, "What happens when you mess withe me."

He wrote, "It's like a reward." He said it was really good potato soup.

He wrote, "Voici la family photo."  They took this picture a few weeks ago at transfers and have been waiting for Elder Snow to share it with them. Jonah loved seeing Elder Zeedik again! He loved seeing his friends from the MTC.

Jonah was excited that they were combining for Zone conference with his old district, so he would get to see Elder Pelaez and his other friends from Charleroi.

He wrote, "Missed my boi Dale." He has missed Elder Pelaez.  Jonah said people used to call them Chip and Dale because they were so similar. 

Jonah said he was excited to see Elder Jones. I asked if Elder Jones was happy to see him and he said, "Yes, he said I might make the cut of someone he would be friends with after his mission."  Elder Jones told Jonah that there are only two people he will be friends with after the mission and Jonah might be able to be the third, he isn't sure though. 

He said, "Only Jonesy gets me smiling like that."

Saturday night they had a ward activity and played a church trivia game. 

After that they went to a Chinese buffet for dinner. 

Jonah loves the Chinese Buffets.