Christmas call - Dec. 25, 2012

Today we got to Skype with Brad! 

Doesn't he look good?

Can he look any happier?

Brad went to his branch president's house to Skype this time which made it really nice for him not to compete with all the noise of a cyber cafe.

We were just finishing our Christmas morning breakfast when his call came in. I rushed down to the computer and in my rush answered just regular and not the video so we could see them, but they couldn't see us at first. Anyway, his MTC teacher Brother O'Day has been in Mada the last few months building lower cost housing there. Brother O'Day tried to pull a fast one on us and tell us that Brad had been transferred and he'd have to call us in a couple of days. I wasn't buying any of that!! Finally he said, "Well, it's time to open the presents..." and Brad came into view. It was fantastic!!

He got a chance to meet his nephew and niece and also future sister-in-law. He was so happy and upbeat. We got to say hi to his companion - Elder Austin, Brother O'Day and also the branch president's family.

Brad told us that he had some little news and some big news to share. So we asked for the little news first. Turns out he is being transferred on Dec. 27th to a place I can't pronounce - what else is new? He then said that he was going to be a zone leader there. So, we thought that was the big news. No, he then went on to say, "I'm being released on the 27th of..." and I shouted, "March?" No, February!! He warned us that it is not set in stone because it is 5 weeks early and the mission president has to get permission from the First Presidency if it is over a month early. I did notice that other elders who were supposed to go home in February are coming home two days after Christmas so I guess it really could happen!

We also asked Brad to bear his testimony and it was so sweet. He got emotional and choked up and we could see such growth and a wonderful spirit about him. He is still the same Brad but has more confidence and maturity about him.

It was a great experience talking to him - I love Skype! Being able to see him is the greatest!

Later in the day we all opened individual letters from Brad that he had secretly sent home through me. We were one big cry fest as we all read our special letters. It was a great Christmas!

Mother's Day call - May 13, 2012

Skype call with Brad

What a great way to end Mother's Day by being able to Skype with Brad at 10:30 at night! It was his 7:30 on Monday morning so Melissa said we were talking to Brad in the FUTURE!

It was great to see his smiling face, hear his laugh and watch all of his fun expressions! We made him perform and speak some Malagasy for us. We were even able to Skype in Natalie in Minnesota so we could all see each other. It was wonderful! Brad got to share with us his feelings for the great up and coming leaders of Madagascar. He did say that he misses a few things: carpet, real ice cream, etc. I hope it didn't make him too homesick to talk to us. It really boosted my mood and it was hard to fall asleep after the call.

We love our missionary!!!

Phone calls from Chicago and also Johannesburg, South Africa

On Monday, June 6th Brad left the MTC. On his layover in Chicago he made his calls. Our family was all spread apart on that day so he had a lot to make. I was in Minnesota with Natalie so we talked to him together. We got him to speak some Malagasy and realized that it sounds nothing like it's spelled!

In the middle of the night on Tuesday, June 7th (so I guess really June 8th) he called Mike and I from Johannesburg. He only had 5 minutes to talk but he sounded great! He said that the turbulence from London to Johannesburg was brutal and they saw three huge lightning strikes outside the plane window! He said his poor companion threw up in a bag and it had a hole in it! Luckily he was one of the few elders who had brought 2 suits so he was able to change. He'd only slept about 4 hours out of 42.

He really appreciated the piano music I had sent him just before he left. He played "God Speed the Right" in sacrament meeting his last Sunday in the MTC. I'm so glad he appreciates music and loves to play the piano!

We were cut off suddenly when the minutes ran out but it was so good to talk to him. Just had to shed a few tears afterwards. Sigh.

Phone Call & Letter to Melissa - 6/1/11

At 4:30 today, I got my phone call from Brad. He was in Chicago on his first of many layovers. He sounded really good and happy. He bore a short testimony in Malagasy, which just sounded like gibberish to me, but very cool nonetheless. I think our family is really lucky, because even though my Mom was in Minnesota with Nat, and my Dad, Phil, Dani, and I were all at our different jobs, he got to talk to all of us separately. I guess that's what happens when you have 8 hour layovers between all your flights. I got teary talking to him, but it was really great to talk and laugh with him. I just hope that 20 minute phone call lasts me until Christmas.


Then I got home today, and I had a letter from Brad! Double win!

Hey Melissa,

I am writing not on my P-day so I have to be quick.

Words with friends?! My friend Broc and I were the first ones to use that game! That's funny that everyone is playing it now. I could totally see Mom go "squinty eyes" and start crying after "jus zayin." :)

It's crazy, the snow here! Actually, I haven't seen any snow down here, just rain. I was just trying to be sympathetic. Me and you are or might be moving to places where it's gonna rain a lot! What a coincidence! Quincidence? Agh! I'm going to be the best speller after I got back from my mission!

How was Pirates 4? Movies now aren't as good as they used to be. Ya know, back in the good ol' days. :) Be sure to watch Kung Fu Panda 2, and tell me your favorite line from it though! :)

Well, I don't have anything wise to share with you. I guess, just read my last email. Ooo, and get a cool quote from it! I've always wanted my own quote. :) Because if I became famous, you could say, "Hey, I gotta quote from when he was 19, oh and he's my brother." But I'm sure people would care more about the quote. I guess I did have some wisdom to share. ;)

Well, remember to work hard, be obedient, be thankful, love one another and be patient. I'm praying for you.

Love,
Elder Bradford Walker
(Brad then tried to sign his name really spiky like our dad does.)
am I becoming like Dad yet?

Post script: Tell Momma thank you for all the extra sheet music too! Oh, and that Carol Campbell and Nyla Miller sent me some cinnamon rolls and made me a cool animal pillowcase.