Skype Call!!

We finally got to Skype with Dallin today!  Funny, but we will only do this 3 times on his mission.  He wasn't allowed to call for Christmas because he was in the MTC.  One down, two to go!  I can't even tell you how wonderful it was to see his smiling face.  He was talking to us outside the Captain Cook Hotel on the other side of Christmas Island.  This is a place where fishermen come from all over the world, so it has decent wifi.  He seems really happy and is doing great with the language.  I was especially anxious to see him and know he was feeling OK.  He had a rough week last week.  He had a terrible infection in his arm and there is still some swelling and lots of bruising, but it is healing.  The nurse ordered him back to bed rest on Saturday after she found out he went out teaching again.  She will arrive on Wednesday and determine if he needs any further antibiotics.

It was so nice to laugh and tease and hear stories.  He told us some classic stories about mixing up words that were similar in pronunciation during teaching moments.  Like when he used the word for destruction instead of salvation... and when he told some people that's enough (as in knock it off) instead of oh, sure!  He also told us that people point with their noses instead of pointing with their finger.  They also say yes by raising their eyebrows.

We teased him about how he wears a "dress" now (see the posting about the Bae) and how the inflection in his sentences is very different.  He wanted to hear about everyone back home and says "Hi" to all his friends.  He doesn't really ever get real mail, but loves getting email and can open pictures if you send them.  We found out the elders live behind the church in the stick hut (built by the Elder's Quorum), while the senior couple and sisters live in brick houses with air conditioning right next door!  So funny!  If you ever wondered if the brethren have a great respect for the women of the church just think about those living arrangements.

He also just got his Kiribati driver's license.  Americans can easily get a license, but elders from other countries sometimes cannot.  The mission van is a 15 passenger diesel stick shift.  He said it is super old and very difficult to drive.  Not to mention he drives on the other side of the road!  He said it is a real adventure.

He is super excited for all his roommates who are getting ready to leave on their missions.  Two are going to Chile, one to Japan, one already in Arizona, and one to New York, New York!  He is anxious to hear about all their adventures.  We sent him a picture of Evan and Tim when they dropped by and another of Ali who we saw at the choir concert.  He was really happy to see them.

He was annoyed that I kept snapping pictures during out chat, but it was better than him having to send them to me.  I don't know why he hates pictures so much :)  Here are a few pictures of him and two videos of him speaking in Kiribati.  The second video is the introduction he does every time he meets someone.  Everyone in the culture says the same things about themselves in the same order every time they meet someone new... and you have to say "mauri" in the right place.  The first video is him talking about The Book of Mormon.

We are so relieved he is healthy and well.  Thank you to everyone who has been praying for him.  We know that prayers work and are so grateful for your love and support!