The thing that every mother, and I would add father is excited for; calls home or being able to Skype with your missionary! Isn’t technology awesome!
My first phone call from my missionary came when was leaving the MTC on his way to the mission field. He was able to buy a phone card at the MTC and call me from the airport for a very brief time! I was just glad to hear his voice even if it was just for a little bit after not being able to really talk to him for six weeks! It was amazing to hear the excitement, and joy in his voice to be finally on his way to the field! I had been able to communicate with him through email, of course, but it isn’t as good has being able to hear his voice!
For me the next call came only six weeks later when it was Mother’s Day! He did have the option to skype or just call. The computers where he was, really weren’t good for skypping so he called. Now everywhere, and every mission president is different, so just because your friend’s missionary got to skype, doesn’t mean yours will. Also some mission presidents put time limits on the time you can talk or skype, so be prepared for that.
My son’s mission president uses Facebook, which I love! He is always posting pictures and updates! He always posts the rules for calling and skyping when Mother’s Day and Christmas come around. Whatever the time limit may be you should be a good example of being obedient and stick to the time limit if there is one! Sticking to the time limit is hard,but we do want what is best for our missionaries.
Whether or not there is a time limit you should write down questions and things you will want to talk about. If you don’t you will forget what you were going to ask and remember it right when you get off! You should keep in mind that you should not talk about things that will make your missionary more home sick, or “trunky”. Like plans for when they come home.
Don’t be surprised if right before the call you are calm, but as soon as you hear their voice you will get emotional, this is very normal. Try not to get overly emotional, because you don’t want to upset your missionary, plus it just will take time away from being able to talk!
No matter how long you will have to talk it will go by so fast and it will be hard to say good-by. For me it was harder for me to say good-by when we skyped than it was just on the phone. Don’t get me wrong it was difficult both times!
I can see why it is good for them to only be able to call twice a year. While you are talking to them, it is great, but then when you hang up you will miss them even more! My son told me that it was very nice to talk, but that he did feel more homesick after for a while.
Phone calls are awesome, and even better if you prepare yourself for them!