"Hello, this is Elder Holmes from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...." 

That is how the phone called started.  It was so good to hear his voice, but it wasn't that it was just good to hear it, it was good to feel it.  You are able to tell so much by hearing the voice of your loved ones.  How they are doing, what they are feeling, and if they are doing good.  There was was a certain confidence about Devin L. this time around, he has slipped into that role of being a missionary, he knows who he is and and what he is doing.  When we talked to him last time he was at the airport getting ready to head out to the field.  That time around there was excitement and anticipation, a little fear of the unknown as well.  This time it was confidence.

We talked about his morning and how he spent it.  They opened some of their own presents from home and then went to a members house for breakfast.  They were now on their way over to another member's house for Dinner in the afternoon.  They had stopped by the church in order to make the phone calls home.  Elder Clegg (sp?) is Devin L.'s new companion and they are getting along great.  Elder Clegg is from Utah.  Devin L. made the comment that Pennsylvania thinks all Mormon Missionaries are from Utah, he is glad he's one of the ones not from Utah.  

Everyone asks where Devin is from and he just tells them Sacramento, CA.  They all think he is near the beach as well.  He said the ward has about 100 active members in it.  Most of the surrounding areas have branches so it's nice to actually have a ward.

Last Sunday Devin L. and Elder Sorensen sang in Sacrament Meeting, I think Angie and I stopped talking at that point?  Who is this really?!  He said that he really enjoyed singing.  We found out that the Stake Presidency lives in the ward that Devin L. is assigned to.  He said the Stake President really likes Devin L. and they have been over their house a number of times.

They members of the ward have been very generous and having them over for meals.  He talked about how he goes shopping and what he'll buy each week.  He was really enjoyed the supportive letters and packages that everyone has been sending him.  Right now he's got about 5 boxes of hot chocolate thanks to everyone and they're care packages.  He enjoyed very much the package that the cub scouts send him recently as well.

His mother was concerned that his apartment was a little on the old and dirty side.  He assured her that he was keeping his area clean and that she should see the other Elder's apartment, "now that's dirty mom."  

The sun was out today and it had melted most all of the snow.  It was actually on the warm side compared to what it was during the beginning of the week.  He hasn't used his bike much because of the snow and ice on the road.  It's just as easy to get around town on foot anyways.

Elder Sorensen transferred out because he will now be one of the zone leaders.  He's been on his mission about 18 months.  Devin L. really enjoyed being with Sorensen these past two months.  We talked about his Mission President, President Pugh, and also his wife.  He said that they are the best and really admires them for all they do for the missionaries.

As I looked up it was nearing 10:00 am, time to wrap it up and say goodbye.  I told him how much I love him and how proud I am of him.  "We pray for you every night, don't ever thing we don't. We know you're working hard, keep at it, don't give up, and you'll be home in no time."

"I love you too dad."

There were a few tears and then I hung up to give a few minutes of time alone with his mother.  I know she said pretty much the same thing I did.  We are all so proud of him and know that he is being watched over and cared for.  A few tears were shed and then it was goodbye until Mother Day.