* She called at 8:00am, which she knew was actually early for us. Because unlike other families, we tend to sleep in on Christmas day and frequently don't get around to actually opening gifts under the tree until around 1:00. She expressed concern about her suggested time and wondered if we would like her to call later, even though that time of morning would work best for her. I told her we'd happily get up in the middle of the night to talk to her and that 8:00 would be great. So we set alarm clocks and at 7:55am every one was making their way upstairs to the computer. 10-year old Lilian didn't even once complain about having to wait to see what Santa brought, knowing that her filled stocking was sitting just one room away.
* Julianne kept breaking into Spanish. Bryan was able to understand her well, though the rest of us had to ask for translations. She said that her first few transfers she had companions who had been out longer and would take the lead in most Spanish conversation, which led to her relying heavily on them. Her current companion in Kearny, Hermana Hopson, has only been out one transfer longer than Julianne. So she found herself having to speak more and share the responsibility of conversation and teaching with her companion...the two of them working together more equally. Which meant of course that she became more and more comfortable with the language and is finally feeling confident. She sounded great. Bryan says she uses a lot of Spanish slang. haha!
* We asked her what her favorite Spanish word was, I can't spell it or even pronounce it, but apparently it's peanut butter. She just likes the way it sounds.
* She's also learning a little Portuguese and even a tiny bit of Italian.
* When asked about her family, she shows pictures and says invariably every one comments on how young her parents look. (Yay!) Recently she showed two little boys a picture of her older sister Rebekah in her wedding dress that I had sent her from dress shopping last week. They were convinced that Rebekah must be a princess. And if that was the case, then Julianne being her sister must be a princess as well. Julianne said that no, she was a Hermana. The boys thought that was pretty cool, and decided they wanted to be a Hermana too when they got a little older. Julianne laughed and told them that actually they would be Elders.
* She loves Newark, actually...even with it being the Armpit of America and all. She says it is indeed stinky and a little sketchy, but she is hugely enjoying all the Spanish people and cultures she comes into contact with...so many Latin and South American countries represented there.
* Julianne said that she and Hermana Hopson had spent Christmas Eve at the Bishop's home and had dinner there with the other Spanish missionaries in the ward. Afterwards they all set up a hot chocolate stand on a nearby street corner. Later that evening she and Hermana Hopson had a late night Christmas Eve snack in their apartment of oreos and peanut butter before dragging all their blankets and pillows out to sleep by the Christmas tree. (Just like our tradition here at home.) Then early Christmas morning they opened their presents. At the appointed skyping time they walked over to the English Sisters' apartment because they had wifi. Julianne said she must've looked very festive as she walked the few blocks wearing her red Christmas pajamas we had sent her, a bright green coat, the scarf she had received from her grandparents, and then of course her missionary tag. haha!
* I told Julianne I got a text from her Bishop the day before. He said, "Hello!!! this is ----- Family. today we have a special Christmas dinner with the Newark NJ missionaries and this pictures are our gift for you." And then he added two pictures. Julianne smiled really big and said, "It was in English? Wow...I've never heard him speak in English before." She really loves her Bishop in the Spanish ward.
* Our Bishop here at home told us the release date he has for her is December 24th, 2018...Christmas Eve. But Julianne said she had been told December 19th. Regardless, we'll have her home with us for Christmas next year. Yay!
* We had Julianne offer a family prayer for us in Spanish. I didn't understand much of what she was saying but we were all a bit emotional by the time she finished. We passed the laptop around so she could say goodbye to each of us in turn, and by the time she got to me we were both wiping away tears. We shared a goodbye and I love you and miss you...and then she ended the call somewhat abruptly, I think because she didn't want to see me lose it completely, which then of course would make her start crying harder.
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-We ate Oreos as our Christmas Eve treat. And then got a little carried away taking pictures...
- The Christmas Eve hot chocolate stand with the Elders. I love them.
- Christmas morning around the tree, looking in my stocking.
-Christmas Zone Conference
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