The best Christmas gift ever

On Christmas evening, at 11 p.m., we were able to skype with Brandon!  He is currently serving a mission in Lugansk, Ukraine. He is able to call us twice a year - on Christmas and on Mother's Day.  His mission president had given the thumbs up for a skype call if the missionaries could find an available computer. It was looking a little sketchy, and they were going to try to use the computer belonging to the roommate of a member . . . but then a small miracle occurred.  A missionary couple arrived in Lugansk, and as Brandon and his companion were helping to move them into their apartment they offered the use of their computer on Christmas for a skype call.

Given the 9 hour time different between Ukraine and Utah, our call was scheduled for really late.  We all gathered around the laptop, and right at 11 p.m. a call came through from Elder Brandon Porter!   Because we were still in Utah (until the next morning, when we flew back to Washington), Grandma and Grandpa Springer were also able to talk to Brandon. 

It was an amazing and slightly overwhelming experience. With skype, it feels like the person is right there, but they're not. Brandon seemed the same. The same sense of humor, the same cute smile, the same cadence to his voice. We were able to hear him speak some Russian, and it sounded extremely impressive to us (of course, we are easily impressed, as we are non-Russian-speakers).

Joseph struggled with wanting to bounce around and be silly for the camera. After he visited for awhile we tucked him down on the couch and he fell asleep.

Brandon had warned us that the call would need to be no more than 40 minutes, but he talked for longer.  Much longer.  (Shhhhh - don't tell anyone).  The missionary couple brought him hot cocoa, and his companion studied behind him.

It was by far my favorite present of this Christmas. I am so proud of my boy. He is very much his own person, and is a remarkable young adult. I am proud of him for serving the Lord faithfully and handling challenges, all with his usual easy-going attitude and sense of humor.

In case you want to read any of Brandon's past letters, we post them to a different blog:  donetskelder.blogspot.com.