Long Distance Christmas

 

We tried to include you in as much as we could for Christmas. We did our usual secret sibling night the Sunday before Christmas. It worked out great because it was also your PDay. We invited Sawyer over to join us and we played left, right center. 

Sawyer rolled for you and herself.  She lost all of your money right off the bat, ha! 

The game went on for a bit and Sawyer was the winner. 

After games we watched a video about Christ and had a little lesson and then we did the gift exchange. 

Wyatt had you.  Matt and Cody brought your present when they came to visit you. 

Wyatt picked out a flower tie that he thought you would like. 

You had Wyatt and you got him some cologne. You were both happy with your presents. 

After you all opened your presents we told Sawyer to take the phone and go into the other room where her present from you were waiting. Caitlyn got a vase and painted a SxJ on it and there was a note from you saying that she was going to get flowers once a month this year so hold on to this vase.  There was also a board that you can hang flowers on to dry them out and a calendar with pictures of the two of you.  The note told her that you guys would get through this year together and then it would almost be time for you to come home.  It was so sweet and she loved it! She said she cried. After that we gave Sawyer our present, but I didn't get a picture of it. She texted me later and said she couldn't stop crying when she got home because we made her feel so loved and special. 

You called at 8 AM Christmas morning.  I waited to wake the kids up so dad and I could talk to you for a bit. It was great to have that time without any distractions. You told us about your Christmas Eve and Christmas. 

At 8:30 AM we got the kids up and started opening presents. 

We took turns and put you in a spot where you could see everyone. 

You all took turns opening your presents.  I had the hardest time deciding what to get you. After the terrible experience mailing the credit cards to you I didn't dare send a package so I decided to go with Amazon France. I had Sawyer help me pick out things for you and then every time we talked, you would tell me that you don't need anything and you are running out of room so I would delete things from the cart. 

I was excited to get you this vest, Sawyer and I thought you would like that. When I finally ordered the stuff I got a message saying your vest would arrive in June, so I had to scramble and find a different one that could get there fast.  The vest ended up arriving in a see-through package so you saw it before Christmas. 

I know you are really missing goldfish crackers and you mentioned you were missing poptarts, so I found some of those on Amazon, they were expensive, but I figured it would be fun and then you wouldn't have to worry about space.  When I checked out it told me that I couldn't send those to a locker, which was how you were picking up your packages.  I had already missed the chance to send them to the mission home, so I was disappointed about that. 

You were such a good sport about all of it and told me you didn't need anything and you were excited with what we sent you.

You said you needed new, thick dress socks so I found some of those. 

You had fun watching everyone open their presents. 

You have been freezing this winter.  You said the winters in France and so cold, especially with the humidity. 

So I got you some thermals that you can where under your clothes. 

You told me that you wished you would have packed some long sleeve t-shirts so I sent you a couple of those. 

It was so hard to have you gone for Christmas, we missed you so much! I am grateful that you could be here virtually with us. 

Grandpa came over to eat eggs benedict on Christmas afternoon so you called back so you could talk to him. I was glad you guys got a chance to talk. 

Alexys came over too so you also got to talk to her. 

You wore your new vest and shirt on PDay so you sent me a picture.  You have slowed down a lot on pictures so I'm constantly asking for them.  You have sacrificed a lot to serve a mission and we are sure proud of you. I'm so impressed with your willingness to serve and sacrifice for your Savior. I know He is grateful for your sacrifice and you are building a bond with Him that will be such a blessing in your life. 

Missionary Life

He wrote, "American barbecue sauce on this picture."

He wrote "wha...Who took these??"

Exchanges with Elder Martin.

He wrote, "My Burger King."

Jonah enjoyed going to Dunkirk on P-Day.

He said it was cold, but not too bad. 

He loved seeing the seals.

He said it has been rainy all week, so he was happy it stopped raining so they could go to the beach.

He loved seeing the lighthouse. 

He wrote, "Why's the rum always gone."

This is Elder Hafen and Elder Grayson, he said this picture describes them well.

Elder Hafen, Elder Loosli and Elder Grayson. 

He loved spending the day with Elder Hafen and Elder Martin.

Elder Grayson, Elder Loosli and Elder Martin.

They had Christmas Zone conference on Dec 11th.  The combined with two districts.  Jonah said he loved hanging out with Elder Zollinger all day. He didn't take any pictures, but Sister Munns should post some soon.

Sawyer sent Jonah a package and he got it at his Christmas zone conference. He said it was the best package ever.  It had a tie that she sewed a heart on and envelopes with different events on them, like open this when you feel homesick, or when you are sad, or when you are happy.  He's really excited for those letters and she also included some pictures. 

Jonah has been cooking more, he was proud of this pasta dish he made.  This week he was sick and he made himself potato soup in bread bowls.  He said it was so good. 

Jonah said the work in Saint Omer is very slow. They have only taught a few lessons the whole time he has been there. He said they do a lot of calls because they don't have anything else to do. He said they try to make it fun and they will play Disney trivia and whoever loses has to make the next call. Every week when we talk to Jonah he is so positive.  He's so good at staying positive and making things fun. He said he talked to President this week and he gave him some good ideas.  The next transfers are January 5th. Jonah is hoping to go to Paris next. 

Missionary Life

This is the castle that the Clabaux's own and are renovating. 

Jonah helped them install insulation in the attic. He said it was very hot work! He said it was very humid and hot and I would have died, ha! He loved the curry they fed him after. 

He wrote, "I would make a fire subway surfers character."

This is at the park in Saint Omer. 

They went to Sister Pruvost's house for dinner again and she always wants to play games. Jonah said this card is the worst card in the game and he got it over and over.  He said Sister Pruvost laughed harder and harder each time he got it. 

Gaetan has stopped responding to them. Jonah is worried about him because he is going through a lot, but they keep hoping and praying that he will be okay and talk to them again. They are teaching a whole family and Jonah said that is going really well.  He said they are very receptive and seem to believe everything they tell them. 

This river in Saint Omer is so pretty with the Fall colors. 

The Zone leaders came for exchanges. Elder Hammond and Elder Rich. Jonah did exchanges with Elder Hammond, he said it was fun to have them there.  

Last week Jonah went into Paris for transfers.

He was excited to see Elder Asay and Elder Zeedik.

He and Zeedik walked around Paris for a while. 

They are both really hoping to be companions soon. 

This is Elder Grayson, Jonah's new companion. Jonah said it was funny how there was a light on him at church and it looked like he was glowing.  Jonah likes him and thinks they will have a good time together.  Jonah said he will miss Elder Haubrich.  He said they had some really good doctrinal discussions and he learned a lot from him. 

Sister Munns posted these pictures of their last Zone Conference. 

They took this picture for the Autry's. 

Jonah and Elder Haubrich were in Paris during Paris' zone conference so they got to participate in that one too.