Sidney Phone Home

Amanda and her mom were out to sea on a cruise on Mother's Day. As a result, Sid received permission to call us the Sunday after Mother's Day. So knowing that our call was a week away, imagine our surprise when the phone rang on Mother's Day and Dan answers to Sid saying, "You have no idea what I have been through to find your number!" Apparently he has a limited memory for phone numbers and Dan's is outside the limit. He could remember his mom's, her husband's, Amanda's, Loveland's, and Mark & Amy's but not Dan's. He tried his mom, Robb, & Amanda just in case they might be available to visit and left them messages (wanting to be sure the next Sunday worked for a call). He was also wanting to get Dan's number from Amanda.  He then wracked his brain to for other numbers he remembered. He called Kevin & Ann's and received no answer. Then remembered Mark & Amy's, no answer. He decided to call Kevin & Ann's back and the 2nd call someone answered. He had a few minutes with Matt, Rebecca, and Emily before he hung up and call us. (Thankfully they had our number!)

We had a short visit with him mostly to make sure the 15th would work for a call, of course it would! We were able to catch him up on some things going on with us, our move & job hunt. He shared some things with us as well about his mission.

Sid had written and let us know that we could Sykpe with him! We then began to figure out how we could do a conference video call with Skype. Thank goodness that was available so we all were together, in our respective homes, visiting and seeing each other. There was some confusion at first since Amanda, her mom and us were already conferenced when Sid called home. Finally, after a few attempts and glitches fixed (Elder Rudd's the M.A.N.!) we were all linked together.

It was so fun to see Sid and hear his voice. Amanda had some issues with her webcam but she could see all of us even if we couldn't see her. Sid's camera wasn't very great so when we all got together he was tough to see but that's ok, it was better than nothing!

Of course we pulled out cameras and took a few pictures of the event!

The Man of the Hour! Fuzzy but there.

Amanda's webcam issues.

Here we all are, finally!

Amanda's camera would periodically freeze. We got to look at this pose of her for awhile and it cracked us all up. The look on Sid's face is priceless too. (The guy next to Amanda is someone she's dating right now.)

I even videoed part of our visit too: (Blogger's not willing to let me upload the videos so I'll have to try to do them at another time. Cross your fingers that it will work.)

Overall, Sid's doing well and LOVING his mission. This week was his 18 month mark and so now we count down the days until he comes home in January. He's had some amazing experiences thus far and we're sure the remaining 6 months will be just as great, if not better! He's had super companions and has managed to work almost from east to west through the whole the mission boundaries.

All of our visits with Sid have all been so wonderful. It'll be tough to wait until Christmas for another one but thankfully we have regular emails from him. (Probably more regular contact with him  now than we'd have if he were home.) Keep up the GREAT work, Sid! We love you!!!!