12/25/2010

We want to thank everyone who is following JD's blog!!!

We talked to Elder Schoen for quite a while on Christmas Day.  He expressed feelings of being "trunky", which means he is looking forward to coming home.  He assured us that he LOVES Brazil and LOVES what he is doing, it's just that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

He shared the follow-up story to their trip to the "favela".  First of all the public transportation system runs 24 hours a day there.  So they got done later than they should have that night and hurried to the bus stop.  As they waited and waited they noticed the traffic becoming less and less.  The bus was late which was weird, they are very efficient.  An hour went by and still no bus.  A passer-by told them there was a riot up the street and the mop had set a bus on fire in the middle of the street.  That explained the lack of traffic and no bus.  So they hurried to the next street over to catch a different bus home.  Soon they were on the bus headed toward home.  Then they realized the bus they were on was headed in the direction of the riot.  So the bus wound up in the line of backed up traffic for a very long time.  They eventually made it home safe and sound just very tired.

We were able to talk to him about what is going on with the family, extended family, and life in America in general.  He asked about President Obama, the media in Brazil is reporting that he has received death treats and is a terrible president.  He is looking forward to going back to school at BYU.  He talked about how much he has grown to love being on a schedule.  For anyone who knows JD that is a 180 from his normal.  He has always been a "free spirit" who felt trapped by an agenda.  He talked about wanting to have class everyday so that he could stay on task with his homework - so not JD.  So I guess the mission has been good for a lot of reasons.

He did not get his Christmas box from us on time.  But I have confirmed that it was delivered on 12/30.  So he will get it on 1/5/2011 when he goes to Zone Conference. 

We have been so blessed by his service.  It is comforting to know he is where he should be and that he is learning things about life that it takes some people a life time to figure out.  He is a wonderful son and we are so incredibly proud of him.  We are grateful for all the love and support he has been shown by everyone.

Love to all - Kaelene Schoen

ps - He loves letters!!!!