We received the best Christmas gift of the season being able
to Skype with Sonja. After more than seven months of not seeing her or hearing
her voice (yes, we know that’s what we all signed up for) we had 40 wonderful
minutes with her. It was probably the fastest 40 minutes of our lives but an
absolutely blessed occasion. She looks and sounds amazing! She speaks beautiful
Italian, as far as we could all tell, and shared a recent experience where someone
made the assumption she is Italian; a true compliment for a missionary from
Oregon. She loves her companion and loves her current area of Milan. Getting
laughed at or snubbed is a daily experience but not the least bit of a deterrent
as she boldly continues to share what she knows is true.
Her reactions were priceless to seeing how much Nicholas had
grown and to see his pearly whites now that the braces are off. Or when Dana
and Grammie stood with Kelly between them so she could see how tall Kelly has
become. Or when Poppy stood up to show her that he’s lost so much weight she
now only has “half a Poppy”. I could tell it was particularly special for her
to see Quinten who was not on the Skype during Mother’s Day. There was even a call from Grandpa Larry who got to exchange a quick hello and Merry Christmas through the phone.
There are not really words to express the feelings we all
felt during our time with her. There’s the natural emotion and excitement of
getting to see her and talk to her after so many months, but it’s much more
than that. I think of two passages of scripture that give the best descriptions
of what we felt. The first is in the Third Epistle of John in the New Testament.
3 John 1:2-4 reads “Beloved, I wish above all things that
thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I
rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in
thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that
my children walk in truth.”
The second is from the Book of Mormon. In Alma chapter 29 the
prophet Alma describes his feelings after hearing of the missionary success of
his brethren. Verses 14-16 read:
“But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is
more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land
of Nephi. Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much
fruit; and how great shall be their reward! Now, when I think of the success of
these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from
the body, as it were, so great is my joy.”
Combining the meaning of these two passages; to see our daughter
walk in truth and share that truth with zeal is quite literally an experience which
brings a joy to carry away ones soul. As the call concluded we let her know of
our love and gratitude for her and the blessing she is to us. Crying tears of
joy we sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, blew her kisses and signed off
until May.
Here's a link to a portion of the call if you'd like to watch. She speaks Italian a couple minutes in. YouTube Video
