Hardly seems possible that another month has come and gone since I have been on this blog. However, I am maintaining others. So, It's not like I'm not blogging at all. You can always read Stetson's missionary experiences, I am on top of that every week. I try and do that each Sunday as I want to not miss a week. But as for this one, it seems to be the last one updated. I am going to attempt to catch it up as best I can without boring you, if there is actually anyone who even reads or follows. But, really this is just a great journal for me as I can print and keep this for posterity if not for anything else.
The annual Burningham Family Christmas Party was held the Sunday before Christmas and was lots of fun. We have always had it at one of our homes, but our family is really growing and so this year we had it at mom and dad's club house and it was great. We have decided that this is what we will continue to do until I guess we don't do it anymore. I hope that doesn't happen. It is so much fun to have everyone come together and we have such a great family. We had Santa and Mrs. Claus come and give gifts to the kids and tell the symbols of Christmas and it was so much fun to have Josh back with us this year. This year added Brett's new wife, Jerrica and Travis joined us with Alex since they are now married as well. Tyce, Brittney's baby boy and Rachel, Ted's newest granddaughter are the littlest that were added this year. And I'm certain it will continue to grow. My dad was so proud as he said how awesome it was that all were doing so well and making good choices. What a great family I have. We are so blessed.
For years it has become our own little tradition to go out to dinner at Olive Garden and then to Temple Square to see the lights. This year it was a fast walk through the square as it was so cold. But, it is so peaceful and pretty there. It would be so sad if we didn't go there to feel of the spirit that is there and remember why we are blessed to have this wonderful season. Caleb made me promise we would not stop at the Nativity, which I usually do. But, with it being below freezing, I was happy to fulfill his wishes and just keep walking. Love my family and to be able to spend the evening with them was a great time.
Hoping to catch the Honduras missionaries after they sing Silent Night
Such a beautiful place to be on Christmas Eve...even if it's freezing.
The best thing of all was Christmas and the phone call from Mexico. Stetson was supposed to call on Christmas Eve and let us know when he was going to call, however that never happened. We were a little sad, but knew it was going to take place just didn't know when. So, we woke up about 8:00 on Christmas morning and opened up our gifts. Things are certainly different when you don't have little ones anxiously awaiting Santa's visit. Except I think I was more excited than I any kid ever is waiting for our missionaries to call home. Oh how you miss those voices. Finally at about 1:50 an email popped in that said he would be calling in about an hour. I hurried to get dinner ready to just put in the oven so that we could just totally focus on his call. When the Skype finally came through and I saw his face, I can't tell you the emotion that races through your soul. Tears well in your eyes as that sweet boy that you have not seen for almost seven months is looking at you. Skype is awesome, but the audio wasn't the best. We had to hold the speakers up to our ears so that we could hear him, but I don't care, his face looked wonderful. He beamed and was so happy. He loves his mission and is exactly where he should be. I have never doubted my testimony, but it is a true act of faith for me to send my most treasured and precious possession on a mission. My brother said it best in a talk he gave a couple of weeks ago. He has given them to us and all He asks of us is to give them to Him for two years, and He will return them to us better than they left. They will be better people, better husbands, better dads, better people in the community, better all around, we just have to trust Him and let it happen. And although hard, that is what we are doing. But, oh how I miss him, still...
I'm not going to lie, it is so hard to hang up. He was given an hour and he has always been such a rule follower he knew it was coming time to end. He told me he had to go and the tears started. I tried so hard to not let them, but I couldn't help it. I told him how proud I was of him and how much we loved him, to be safe, obedient and we would continue to pray for him each and every day. He knew that. But it still seems like forever until Mother's Day when we get to see his face and hear his voice again. After we hung up we all ate dinner, I cleaned up the dishes, then went and laid on my bed in the dark for about an hour or more. Pathetic I know, but it is hard. Bridger said it is definately better being on this end of that phone call. But, the next week when we got Stetson's email he said he had a great Christmas. He wasn't sad. I know that prayers were answered and he is watched over and protected each and every day. For that I am so grateful.
And, last but certainly not least. Caleb doing his duty and putting up the flag on Martin Luther King Day. He is such a great young man. He is so much fun and has such a great personality. He sometimes may murmur, but it never lasts, and as you can see, it's never boring when he's around.
