Hello Everyone,
On Christmas Day we were able to Skype with Keegan for a little while. We had exchanged email last week and had a rudimentary plan put together that he'd "call" us between 4 and 5 after he set up a Skype account. Well, we didn't know if that meant 4 or 5 in our time zone or in his time zone (since he's in the Central time zone). Just in case, we got everything set up early but it worked out that it was between 4 and 5 Mountain.
We spend Christmas Day at Gramma's house with the extended family so when Keegan finally called us everyone was waiting around for his call. He had planned on skyping from an internet café called a Cyber but ended up at a member's home since the Cybers were closed for the holiday. His companion, Elder Reyes, was able to Skype with his family first and then it was Keegan's turn. He got his account setup and added me as a contact but then never made the connection... we figured he was skyping with Chantelle. Sure enough, when we finally got on, he said that he was chatting with her (which isn't against the rules since the missionary handbook says nothing about Skype, it only says no phone calls)
Like I said, when he finally called, his uncle and cousins were the closest to the computer so they answered the call. While we got the video working and the lights adjusted for the best picture, all the younger cousins (and some of the aunts and uncles) crowded around to say 'hi' and get a glimpse of him on the screen. Eventually, he asked for his youngest brother Kaden so they could converse in Spanish as the rest of the family gathered around. He then asked for Xander and tried to switch back to English for Xander's sake - it was a difficult transition for him after excusively speaking Spanish since his first companion left the mission field. Keegan kept trying to speak in English but eventually reverted back to Spanish and I just translated for the rest of the family.
He's doing great and loving his mission. He did say that it really didn't feel like it was Christmas already mostly due to the great weather in Guadalajara - he's still wearing his short-sleeve shirts and it feels like early autumn and not Christmas time. He's loving his mission and what he's doing. He also testified about how living the Gospel will bring us true happiness in this life. He said that the mission is difficult at times but even during those times he knows it's helping him become a better missionary and person. He's very grateful for all the support that he has from his family and friends. It really sounds like he's doing well at about the 8 month mark.
We wanted to say thanks for all the support and be sure to email him when you can. He said that the email message have definitly slowed down since the beginning of his mission and he really appreciates any updates he gets from back home.
On Christmas Day we were able to Skype with Keegan for a little while. We had exchanged email last week and had a rudimentary plan put together that he'd "call" us between 4 and 5 after he set up a Skype account. Well, we didn't know if that meant 4 or 5 in our time zone or in his time zone (since he's in the Central time zone). Just in case, we got everything set up early but it worked out that it was between 4 and 5 Mountain.
We spend Christmas Day at Gramma's house with the extended family so when Keegan finally called us everyone was waiting around for his call. He had planned on skyping from an internet café called a Cyber but ended up at a member's home since the Cybers were closed for the holiday. His companion, Elder Reyes, was able to Skype with his family first and then it was Keegan's turn. He got his account setup and added me as a contact but then never made the connection... we figured he was skyping with Chantelle. Sure enough, when we finally got on, he said that he was chatting with her (which isn't against the rules since the missionary handbook says nothing about Skype, it only says no phone calls)
Like I said, when he finally called, his uncle and cousins were the closest to the computer so they answered the call. While we got the video working and the lights adjusted for the best picture, all the younger cousins (and some of the aunts and uncles) crowded around to say 'hi' and get a glimpse of him on the screen. Eventually, he asked for his youngest brother Kaden so they could converse in Spanish as the rest of the family gathered around. He then asked for Xander and tried to switch back to English for Xander's sake - it was a difficult transition for him after excusively speaking Spanish since his first companion left the mission field. Keegan kept trying to speak in English but eventually reverted back to Spanish and I just translated for the rest of the family.
He's doing great and loving his mission. He did say that it really didn't feel like it was Christmas already mostly due to the great weather in Guadalajara - he's still wearing his short-sleeve shirts and it feels like early autumn and not Christmas time. He's loving his mission and what he's doing. He also testified about how living the Gospel will bring us true happiness in this life. He said that the mission is difficult at times but even during those times he knows it's helping him become a better missionary and person. He's very grateful for all the support that he has from his family and friends. It really sounds like he's doing well at about the 8 month mark.
We wanted to say thanks for all the support and be sure to email him when you can. He said that the email message have definitly slowed down since the beginning of his mission and he really appreciates any updates he gets from back home.