December 25th, 2008

Merry Christmas!
What a great day today! We got to talk with Elder Coats on the phone.
We had a heck of a time connecting with him. After almost an hour of being unable to get the phone to ring through with the number he gave us, He called back and told us that they had given him the wrong country code!! Once we got the right code, it rang right through and it sounded as if he were in the very next room.
He is doing great. He is so happy and loves the mission. He has a good new companion who is really helping Nick learn the language. Elder Cruz speaks no english! So Nick ought to be able to pick up the Portugese faster now out of necessity.
He feels so blessed to be in Brazil and is grateful for the opportunity that has been given to him to be there telling the people of the love of our Savior and spreading the good word about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He said to tell everyone hello and that he loves all of you and appreciates all the support that has been given to him and the prayers being offered in his behalf each day.
The hour that we got to talk with him went by really fast and now he is approaching his 7 month mark in the field.
Have a good week, everyone!
Elder Coats' Mom