Phone Calls and Messages can be Awkward.

I'm still fairly new to the ward.  And even newer to my visiting teaching partner and our teachees. It was my turn to call and set up appointments.  As luck would have it, I misplaced my call list. So, while at my partners house the other day, I just pumped our teachees numbers into my phone.  Today I called my teachee (we'll call her sue.)

The phone answered and a nice voice over the phone says, "this is Sue."

 I said, "Hi sue, this is Cami Petty, and I need to find a time when Jessica and I can come visit you." 

She answered, "Who?" 

And I replied, "Cami, your slightly neglectful visitor teacher."

Sue says, "oh, Okay. That's funny, I didn't realize I put my work phone down for contact. Here's my Cell Number, I'll be able to answer it when I'm not at work."

 Me, "Okay, thanks.  Yes, this is the number I have, so you must've put it on a list at some point."

Sue, "Yeah, I guess so. Well, I'm really busy at work until about 7 at night, so weekends work better for me, and this weekend, I'm packing up to go to D.C. for the week. So how about Sunday after this?" 

I answered saying "Sure, we can make that happen.  Before or after church?" At this point I'm feeling a little confused, because the last time we went to Sue's house, it was during the day, and she wasn't working. Plus, during this conversation, she mentioned having to pick up a daughter from school.   True, it's been several weeks since last seeing Sue, but I'm pretty sure she only has a son, and some stepdaughters and a stepson.  And I find it unusual that She, Sue would be picking the stepdaughter from School....but what do I know?  I'm not going to pry.

Sue, "Okay, well, I'll see you before church on the Sunday after this coming Sunday.

"Great!  See you then!"

A couple of hours later I go to Jessica (my partner)'s house to take Nathan to a play date - and relayed our upcoming date to visit teach 'Sue.'  I relate the phone conversation and the strange date and time.  Jessica also, is bewildered.  I showed her the number I called.  Then with a tone of "a-ha" Jessica points out that I called the wrong number. It was all correct, except for one number.  She asks if I did indeed talk to a Sue.  To which I reply, "That's what she said when she answered the phone..."

So, I then had two more phone calls to make, one to the correct Sue and one to the Sue whom I didn't know.  So I Recalled the Sue work number, when the message system picked up saying "You've reached Sue Smith*, (NOT THE CORRECT LAST NAME, to No One's Surprise) I'm not able to answer.....etc."  I then left a long, awkward apology and cancelled our visiting teaching appointment for the Sunday after this coming Sunday - before church. 

At the correct Sue's number, I just asked her to call me back - so that we could make plans.  So there you have it:  When calling someone you don't know well, and the voice on the other line is equally perplexed by the strangeness of the call - just be sure to confirm that you know each other, at least a tiny bit.