Catching up.

Elder Bellomy has settled down into a regular, happy, and hard working routine of mission-only focus. His letters (in spite of teeing up many questions are short and sparse on the details.) He isn't even sending any photos.

So, it is with apologies that I have not posted in over a month. I will attempt to do a little catching up.

First of all, Eldrew seems absolutely happy. What he does write home is unfailingly happy and content. When he does tell of a hard day, unsuccessful lesson, or exhausting moments...he does so with humor and literally "ha..ha" laughing it off. This missionary has absolutely nothing bad to say about anyone.

It is a point of joy for me that he has not truly complained once his whole mission. Well...not quite. On Mother's Day, he gave us the exact time and phone number to call him. When the number didn't work because he gave us the wrong one...he finally called us about 15 minutes later and mildly chided us because he had timed the call so that it would least interfere with his appointment schedules.

A few highlights from his letters home over the last month.

August 8: Elder Bellomy and his companion were blessed to have a baptism. The wonderful aspect of this baptism is that the member of the ward that fellowshipped the person being taught was asked by Elder Bellomy and his companion to perform the baptism. (Mormonspeak: Fellowshipper is a member of the congregation that helps a potential new member learn about the LDS Church and is a friend.) The member's name is Brother Konobe. Eldrew tells the story that Brother Konobe does not speak very good English and has not participated in too many LDS priesthood ordinances. Baptising his new friend was to be a new and wonderful blessing. In the days before the baptism, Brother Konobe's arms became swollen (for no apparent reason) to the point that he could not move it properly and would not be able to perform the baptism. The missionaries gave Brother Konobe a blessing and told him that he'd be healed so he could do the baptism. On the day of the baptism, Brother Konobe's arm was healed! Because Brother Konobe is older, somewhat frail, and cannot read the English language very well, Elder Bellomy stood in the baptismal font and assisted Brother Konobe as he performed the baptism. It was a special experience for Elder Bellomy.

On a side note. One morning, there was a knock at our front door in Centerville, Utah. Susan was late answering and found and older, grey-haired gentleman getting into a large SUV. Susan thought he might be a salesman. He looked at Susan and said, "I'm going to have an unusual conversation with you."

He introduced himself as Brother Platt -- the former home teacher President Saylin and family. (Eldrew's Mission President.) It turns out that Brother Platt was in Houston visiting a daughter and met Elder Bellomy at the mission home. He had come by to tell us that Eldrew was healthy and happy. It just so happens that Susan has been having very strong mommy "I-miss-my-missionary-son" feelings. She made Brother Platt tell all about his visit with Eldrew. Susan was delighted.

When we mentioned the visit to Eldrew...he laughed and remembered meeting Brother Platt. He was surprised that Brother Platt thought him so happy. Eldrew explained that he happened to be at the mission home because his companion was in the process of returning home to China...and that he (Eldrew) had actually been quite grumpy sitting around the mission home when he wanted to be out working. Eldrew got a good laugh that his impatience didn't come through to Brother Platt.

Thank you Brother PLatt! You were just what Susan needed.

The August 8 letter ended with the note that Zhang returned home to China. We would learn of transfers in the next letter.

August 16th letter: Elder Bellomy has a new companion -- Elder Mulitalo from West Valley, Utah. Elder Bellomy thinks that Elder Mulitalo is great. He is a Polynesian from the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. He said that they often talk late into the night. Elder Mulitalo is a football player and is slated to play defense for the University of Utah after his mission. Elder Bellomy says that he is quite a large fellow (I think about 6'3" and nearly 300lbs. They are working hard and teaching a lot of great people.

Eldrew told us about an experience where he was conducting a Sunday evening Fireside. Attending the service was Elder Keith K. Hilbig an LDS General Authority and Seventy. Elder Hilbig is Sister Saylin's father. For reference, Sister Saylin is the wife of Eldrew’s Mission President. We have been impressed that she is a wonderful ‘Mission Mom.’ It means a lot to Susan that Sister Saylin is there for Eldrew. (Mormonspeak: A Fireside is a Sunday evening Church service. A General Authority is one of the senior leaders of the LDS Church. A 'Seventy' is roughly equivalent to a Cardinal or Archbishop in the Catholic Church.)

August 23rd letter: Not much news...Elder Bellomy and Mulitalo are working hard and are being blessed.

Elder Bellomy is excited that transfers are coming and he and Elder Mulitalo are staying together. Elder Mulitalo has had a different companion for every one of the last eight months...and Eldrew a new companion for the last five months. They are both pleased to be able to keep working together and have some continuity.

Elder Bellomy got to do a baptismal interview with a wonderful convert to the Church that has really changed his life. Eldrew was touched to see the blessings in store for this person and his family.

August 30th letter: Not much news. Still no photos for the last couple of months.

Okay...I admit it...there was more news than I remember...but Eldrew's letters still seem short to me. We are happy he is doing well and that the Lord seems to be blessing him so much.

I will be writing more in a couple of days.