Big Al's Big Mish: CHRISTMAS DAY SKYPING!! Oh... and Monday's letter ;)

Skype Day!!

I got to see my boy today!!! YES I CRIED :'( and I still am!! It was a little frustrating on both ends because either the internet was slow on our end, due to weather and too much usage, or possibly his end (he's mentioned before that the internet in Lindsay is slow and frustrating). So it was probably a bit of both...

He was having a hard time hearing us and the delay was about 5 seconds behind. I could tell he was bugged by it because there was a lot that we wanted to talk about and it took up time and made it difficult to communicate. Soooooo we got a few questions in and laughed a little bit. He told us a little about a baptism he had last week (his first time performing a baptism by the way!!). There are definitely things that I will look into before the next time we Skype, but I will take what I did get and label it as AMAZING!! Seeing my sons face again *silent screaming inside*!! I just wanted to kiss him and love him and snuggle for a minute!! But instead we settle for a little chat, we sang him Happy Birthday (we both, well probably everyone, got a little teary eyed at that point) and we had family prayer again :) Offered by The Preacher Man himself ;) which he did in Spanish (again we cried) and then we said goodbye..........

CAN YOU SAY OUCH????? WOW!!! I did NOT want to tell him goodbye! What a roller coaster I'm on!!! I'm so very blessed to have such an obedient son who has literally turned into such a wonderful man right before my eyes! Or at least the eyes of those in California ;) I miss him SOOOOO MUCH! Yet I know this is exactly where Alex needs to be! This is Alex's journey and it is what Alex will base the rest of his life experiences on. He is learning so much about himself right now. It may not be the journey of another person and that is OK. It is his. It is where he wants to be. He isn't there because I told him to go or his seminary teacher or his coaches or his best friend. He is there for him and that is why he will succeed!! I LOVE HIM!!! I MISS HIM!!! I AM SOOOOO PROUD!!!

P.S. I'm counting down the days until mothers day!!!

At the airport. Can't wait to hug him again!

His letter didn't come in on Monday as planned because they went to Yosemite to play on P-Day (ummmm, talk about FREAKING OUT!! I didn't know what was supposed to happen with Skype so I was a little nervous to say the least), but I got a few pictures from that day. I will have to confess that I have been in Cahoots with Charlie (he's been mentioned in almost all of Alex's letters) in planning a little birthday party for Alex. Every once in awhile he sends me pictures of Alex working and sometimes even having fun. They warm my heart and ALWAYS make me cry!! Tears of joy of course ;)... So we have it planned that on Saturday he is going to pick up a cake that I ordered for Alex and they are having a little surprise party for him! Staying within all of the mission boundaries and guidelines of course!!! I feel blessed that I have so many people looking out for him and I feel like Charlie is just an extension of my family (even tho I have never met him in person). He is Alex's brother and therefore my other son ;) I'm excited to see how the party turns out!! I told him to send LOTS of pictures!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONNY BOY!!! Hope he has a wonderful 20th birthday!

Familia

So you're probably wondering why I didn't send a letter yesterday, but luckily I was able to have permission write a little bit this morning. The reason I wasn't able to write yesterday was because we went up to Yosemite national park yesterday and weren't able to make it back in time (I kind of knew we wouldn't because it's pretty far from Lindsey). But no worries! Cause now I have a little time to write.

So about Skype (this message goes to everyone) We will be Skyping at between 9-10 in the morning in California so that means between 10 or 11 over there in Utah. The person that is allowing us to Skype is the Ashcraft family. I gave them Mom's number (let dad know any details that will be going on when he calls) I couldn't remember dads phone number off the top of my head so I gave them Moms. THEY will be giving you THEIR Skype name for me to use , I don't know what their Skype name is but ASK them when they call. I'll be Skyping one for about 25-30 mins and then the other for about 25-30 minutes also (so just keep timing in mind if you have any questions)... I will also try to let you know about the news that went on this week during Skype and of course anything else you guys want to ask. As far as of anything that was of big news this week was Angela and Angel's baptism!! I got to baptize Angel and Elder Moody baptized Angela.

But I got to go. I have a district meeting in 30 minutes and I have to leave right now. But more details will be given during Skype.

I love you all so much!! Can't wait to see your faces
Love Elder Horrocks

P.S. I'm sorry I wasn't able to write other family that sent letters of birthday and Christmas wishes. When you have the chance tell them all I said thank you and I love them much!!