Catey's Christmas Call Home - 12/25/2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Today was such a blessing to finally be able to get to speak to Sister Cathryn Stroud. While we know that Catey is where she is suppose to be, it is not easy to go 6 months without speaking to her.  We truly feel blessed this day to hear her voice and listen to her share her excitement about the people in her mission.  We are so grateful for her, especially today, as we know she is sharing the message of the Gospel and her Savior, Jesus Christ. 

It was interesting to me (her mother) to watch her father speak to her.  Only minutes before, he lacked color in his face (he hasn't been feeling well) but as soon as he spoke to his daughter, color returned to his face and his eyes had a sparkle in them.  Catey's mission is something that she has in common with her dad.  I think he is able to relive some of his missionary experiences, as he listens to her share her experiences.

Sister Stroud was able to talk to her grandparents, her brother - Preston, and Scott a family friend.  She was also able to spend Christmas day (most of it) with her brother James, his wife DeAnn, and DeAnn's kind family.  We are so thankful to them for having the missionaries over.

Sister Stroud did share with us that she was in a car accident on Tuesday.  The roads were icy and their car went into a ditch.  Even though Catey is pretty obedient, she was not wearing her seat belt.  When asked why, she replied, "I usually always drive and wear my seatbelt, but I was in the back seat and didn't have it on."  Her mother and father, along with Sister Sonne, her mission president's wife, are not to happy with her decision to not have her seat belt on.  Because of that she injured her shoulder - it has approximately 100 tears in it.  She is having to take some muscle relaxers and pain pills. We are hoping and praying that Catey will be able to finish her mission and ask that you keep her in your prayers.

Catey is loving her mission; she loves the people she teaches and those she works with on a daily basis.  She is so grateful to her family and friends who have played a part in her life and who continue to pray for her.  As her parents, we too want to thank you for all of your love and support.  We hope your holidays are wonderful and that you especially remember the Savior at this time of year.

Love,

Randy and Cathy Stroud.