A Fun Surprise

Today on the drive back to Hattiesburg I got a big suprise--a phone call from El Salvador from my dear friend and mission companion, Patty Putzeis. We had a nice long chat in Spanish (it went pretty well except for my getting stuck on the word bigot while explaining the whole prop 8 controversy--though, to my credit, Jeff didn't know that word either). I learned that Patty now has two little boys and that she's become a campesina/country girl (she had to leave the capitol, San Salvador, for someplace with cleaner air for her baby's health).

I visited Patty's family in El Salvador about six years ago and also have a very special place in my heart for her mom, brother, and sister. Last time I saw Patty's brother, Tito (Estuardo), he was twelve years old. Now he's super tall and preparing to go on a mission. And her sister has two girls, one of whom, I learned, was given the middle name of Melanie (that makes one little Melanie in El Salvador and another in Costa Rica).

Of course, I had to come home and look at pictures of Patty and her family and reminisce. It was one of those moments when you say to yourself, "Man, I have a good life." The people make it so.

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday wonderful this year and sent kind notes and thoughts my way!


Patty, Tito, & Patty's mom in El Salvador

Me and Patty playing in a Costa Rican monsoon

Me and Patty with our special family in Costa Rica