Week 16: Skype with Elder Watkins, Christmas Pictures!, and Sis Francisco's Baptism

This week's communication was mostly pictures and messaging back and forth. Since it takes a long time for Elder Watkins' pictures to upload and send, he spent most of his time doing that and messaging with us. We have had many miracles and tender mercies from Heaven. One of the first tender mercies was as Elder Watkins was leaving the Salt Lake Airport. He had gone through security and was gone from our site. On the long drive home, I received a text message from a sister in our ward - Sue Sherwin. It was a picture of Dustin and Sue! (you can see the pic on the Sept 11 post). She and her husband Bob were on the same flight to Detroit! 

We had sent Elder Watkins package before he left in September for the MTC and another a couple weeks later. He hadn't received them until after he left the MTC and was in his first area, about 11 weeks after he left the States. We were concerned that if we sent him packages for his birthday and Christmas, he would not receive them in time. The decision was made not to send any packages for his birthday or Christmas and that if he found something he liked or needed he could buy it and we would put money in his account. No Christmas package? What kind of mother does he have?!  Well, Bob and Sue Sherwin again provide a tender mercy and a Christmas miracle! The week before Thanksgiving they would be traveling to Manila! They offered to carry a package with them for Elder Watkins and mail it from Manila to him! I jumped at the chance, considering carefully what I could put in a package that would bring Christmas to Elder Watkins from home. I assumed the package the Sherwins offered to carry was about the size of a small shoe box. Mariah went to the Sherwin's home to pick up the bag they were going to carry Christmas in...it was a ginormous duffle bag! My mind wend crazy! What should I send? hmmm, if I put nothing else in, I could probably fit me in there!!! I decided against that idea and went with regular Christmas gifts a missionary might want.  Thank you Bob and Sue!!! They are definitely angels to our family. 

Elder Watkins in his apartment with a Christmas tree from home :)

Best Christmas present ever! Skyping with Elder Watkins 

Elder Watkins at a Ward Christmas Party. He said that when Filipinos see a picture being taken, they want to join in! That's where photo bombing originated...

Elder Watkins stayed up until 2:30 to set up stockings. He was so excited to do this for his companion and roomies!

Elder Watkins under the Christmas tree

Elder Gomez

Elder Bausing

Elder Gordon

Elder Watkins

Elder Gomez, Sister Francisco, Elder Watkins December 29, 2013 Sister Noela Francisco's Baptism Day

Elder Watkins and Sister Noela Francisco on her Baptism Day December 29, 2014