WEEK 100!! Christmas Day Phone Call

This is Joseph's mom.  He didn't write a letter this week because we got to see his cute face and talk to him on Christmas Eve through Skype!!  :)  We had all our kids and Grandpa Schlappi here for the conversation.  I will just tell you about our phone call...



The Isan Region is in "red"

First of all, and the GREATEST news...His new companion IS Elder Wilamas!!!  (One of his bestest friends in the world...the "King of Khorat", as Joseph lovingly calls him.)  They were both transferred to a town that I couldn't understand back in the ISAN!  He has spent most of his mission in the Isan area (the Northeast region of Thailand - with Laos bordering to the north and east and Cambodia to the south).  They speak a very different dialect there - he said it is a mix of Thai and Laotian...kind of how Spanglish is a mix of Spanish and English.  No wonder the language has been hard to learn!  They are also serving as Zone Leaders together.  He is very happy and it is a dream come true for him to spend his last two months (59 days from today!) for the second time on his mission with one of his very best friends.  (Elder Wilamas returns home [to a town in southeast Thailand] in May, same as Joseph's cousin, Kaiden.)

The thing that impressed me the most during this phone call, is that Joseph and Elder Wilamas seemed like they were "one".  Last Christmas, Joseph was serving in the office with Elder Wilamas and we got to see Elder Wilamas and talk to him a little bit on that phone call, but this time, they sat right next to each other and shared a headset and Elder Wilamas was there for the whole conversation.  I wondered if he wasn't able to talk to his own family because I know there hasn't been a lot of support from them during his mission.  We love him too and can't wait to meet him in person someday.  He has become a brother to Joseph and it will be so hard for Joseph to leave him and this beautiful country he has come to love so much.  They sang "Silent Night" for us in Thai, which was so sweet.  Then, at the end of the call, Joseph asked if we would join them in a prayer.  He asked Mike to choose someone to give the prayer, so Mike asked Elder Wilamas to pray in Thai.  Now, the whole time it was really difficult to hear them (the internet café they were in was really loud with people talking all around them) so we didn't really hear a word of his prayer, but the spirit was so strong and their cute little heads bowed (and it looked like they might have been on their knees) was enough to make anyone cry, especially me!! 

It is so strange that this full-time mission experience is coming to an end.  It has truly been the greatest blessing in our lives. Joseph still has his unique style and humor, but he has changed and grown so much.  I will miss reading his letters - the miracles and baptisms, and all the prayers given in his behalf all day, every day!  (I am already looking forward to the day when Anna begins this process!)  But we will be so happy to have Joseph back with us, making us all happier by his sweet personality and love. 

Until next week when you will hear it from Elder Gibbons...
I love you all who read this!!
Tami :)

Here are a few photos from our conversation with him:



Joseph and his companion, Elder Wilamas



I will never forget this picture of them in my mind - praying with us. :)