It's been a while since I've given an update on Jaden. Time is flying by!
He's been out nearly 10 months.
I failed last time I posted to include this picture of Jaden wearing the Easter tie I mailed him.
He was a smart boy and took a picture of himself in it, and even went outside.
We have a tradition of taking pictures of the kids in their new Easter attire,
and the last few years, we've gone outside to do it.
I was impressed that Jaden had been so perceptive!
I began having a feeling toward the end of April that change was in store for Jaden.
I thought maybe he would get transferred.
I found out when I e-mailed him that week that he would not be transferred,
but his companion would be.
Jaden's new companion is an elder from Portland, and he has been out for a little
over a year. Jaden says he does very well with the language,
and already, Jaden has learned so much from him. Here is his picture:
All of us were looking forward to a call on Mother's Day.
I must admit...I'm still a bit envious of those that get to Skype,
but still, it was great to hear his voice.
We invited grandparents and Jaden's girlfriend over for dinner
while waiting for the call.
It was a little hard to hear him when we put the phone on speaker,
but we left one phone on speaker, and passed another one around
so we could all say hi for a minute one on one.
The work has been slow for the most part since Jaden's been in Korea.
He's experienced many appointment cancellations,
and many who just don't follow through on their commitments it seems.
He did get to baptize another sister that the sister missionaries have been teaching.
Jaden says she has a lot of faith in Heavenly Father.
Here is a picture from her baptism.
We keep praying that Jaden will have opportunities to teach and baptize,
and those prayers have been answered a bit this week.
It was a very busy week for Jaden, but a great one!
When Jaden called on Mother's Day, I asked if he had any new investigators.
He told us about an 18 year old young man that they had met, and who seemed interested.
He mentioned that this young man (who is still in high school) was very respectful of
the missionaries. I guess there are quite a few of the youth that make fun of the
Elders for the way they're dressed and because they're religious, etc.
But this young man didn't do that.
When Jaden e-mailed last night, he informed us that this young man had
committed to be baptized at the end of June! So exciting!
Jaden also picked up a couple of other investigators this week.
One was a man they met on the street this past Friday.
Jaden and his companion gave this man their number,
and really didn't expect to hear any more from him.
It happens a lot! However, they got a text from this man
asking when church was, and he showed up on Sunday!
I think Jaden was surprised, and I'm sure very happy!
They're also teaching a man whose wife is a less active member.
He has a desire to go to church, so maybe this will work out
for both he and his wife. Let's hope it does!
Jaden also had a chance to play sports with the gentleman pictured below.
He is a less active member, so hopefully he'll also have a desire to come back to church.
It's awesome to hear of these experiences, and I hope and pray that all of
these individuals and others that Jaden is teaching will truly be
committed to studying the gospel and doing all that they can to draw closer to our Heavenly Father.
Jaden sent this picture a few weeks ago of his ward mission leader and his wife.
He says that the mission leaders wife is like a mother to all of the missionaries.
It's a very comforting feeling to this missionary mom!
I'm so grateful for the assurance that our Heavenly Father is looking out
for Jaden through the help of others.
It makes Mother's Day and other days easier!
