getting in the Christmas shopping spirit

Don't get me wrong.  I have no problem getting into the Christmas Spirit.  What I am having trouble with this year is shopping for Christmas.  First of all, I hate shopping.  Second, two of my kids will not be here for Christmas.  Yeah, yeah, I know that I am blessed, that I have been given the best gift, and that other mothers wished that they could have two missionaries, BUT, that doesn't stop me from being sad.  I am sad in the stores.  I try to find stuff to send Kade in his box, and find myself tearing up and not accomplishing anything.  I just went through this a couple of weeks ago trying to get Destinee's box sent off to Guatemala.  Why is it so easy to be sad and yet happy at the same time?

Missionary Stories.......from other's

I hear a lot of missionary stories through other moms.  I thought it would be fun to share a few of them here since this is my Missionary Mom blog.

From Collette: "

I had a cool experience yesterday that I wanted to share with all of you.  My oldest son served his mission in New york and one of the sisters he taught and baptized there about 10 years ago (who now lives in Provo) just returned from a mission to Tonga.  We were able to go to her homecoming yesterday and see the full circle of her conversion and my son's mission service.  You never know how far reaching their service will go.  She talked about missions being a university and how much knowledge is gained, and the testing and growth that occurs.  She is so grateful for my son's mission service.  It changed her life!.  It was awesome to see and talk with her and to hear her testimony."

From and elder in the North mission:

We came to church early in the morning to set up. While there, an 18 year old, ***** told me to come with him to go get a sister in the ward. We took off and one mile later, I found myself in the home of a very, very old member who could no longer move much of anything anymore.
***** told me it was our job to get her all the way to the church. He left the house for a second and returned with a tiny, half-broken wheelbarrow.
"We always use this," he said and I could not protest because there was nothing else around that I could use. So we placed her in the rickety wheelbarrow and off we went.
Of course I got stuck as the one who pushed because ***** told me I was the strong one and needed to.
The problem is, the path to the church is REALLY rocky. So there was no way to avoid the crashing bumps and jerks that came. So here I am pushing a 90+ year old lady in a wheelbarrow down a rocky mile-long road.
I felt so strange. She kept saying something and I asked ***** to translate so I could help her. (He speaks Spanish and Ke'kchi). He just kept saying, "She's gonna die!" Joking I assume, but who knew....
All the way the people on the path saw me and were just laughing their heads off.
Finally we made it to the church and unloaded her onto a chair. Suddenly she burst into tears and started shouting something. "UH OH" was my first reaction.
I asked the branch president to translate. He told me she was just exclaiming how happy she was to be at church.

And here is a funny one that still has me laughing:

"Last night I was waiting to call in the numbers for the work week. While I was waiting for my leaders to call me. (Take note that I cannot call from my house and I hike about an hour away to find signal.) So while I was waiting I go to call another Elder to ask him a question. Anyway a Sister missionary answers the phone. I was a little confused and for some reason only talked to her in Spanish. (it was very clear she was a North American missionary). She starts going crazy and tells me she didn't understand. I tried to talk to her again in English but for some reason I couldn't. So she goes to get her companion. I was shocked to all of the sudden be talking to a man. I was thinking what the heck is an Elder doing with a Sister. Anyway so I start to talk to this other Elder and he yells at me. "Elder Briggs you speak English, speak to me in English!"

Then he asks me why I was calling his wife. I was starting to get really confused. Then he tells me "Elder Briggs I am your mission president." I was certain it was some Elder playing a stupid joke on me. So I tell the Elder (man) that he isn't. Then he starts to freak out and worry about me. "Elder Briggs, how are you doing? Are you feeling alright?" He asked me over and over.  This went on for about 5 minutes. Both of us really confused and not sure what was going on. Finally I ask him..."Wait...so are you like a senor couple or something." he clearly upset now tells me again. "Elder I AM YOUR MISSION PRESIDENT!" Finally after a few seconds of silence and thinking who it could be all I say is. "I'm in the North mission" He started to lighten up a little and told me he was the Central mission president. I guess it turns out that there is an Elder Briggs serving there too. Anyway! I thought it was pretty funny. It has to go in the books for one of the best misdialed numbers ever!!"