A Little News Here and There

We got a letter in the mail from Jarren the other day.  He said that when he went on his mission that he used the second notch on his belt.  Now he is on the fifth notch.  I heard through a reliable source that he has found a store over there that carries Ramen Noodles, which by the way have very little nutritional value, and all of the American boys are buying them.  Jarren told my source that he eats them everyday, so of course I am worried about his health failing.  When the kids were little and growing a lot I refused to buy Ramen Noodles and allow my children to eat them because I knew they just fed the stomache, not the brain, muscles or tissues.  I'm not going to say anything to Jarren about what he eats because he didn't want me to know that he is not eating properly.  My philosophy, live and learn.  The work is going forward.  Jarren said that he did his first two baptisms: Sister Nellie Lucient and her daughter, Sister Regina Sebatu Sheriff.  Jarren sent his SD card to Breanne so pictures will be forth coming soon about these two sisters and their baptism.  I think that Jarren is committed to finish this mission no matter what.  He said that his testimony has grown tremendously.  He also said that at that time he was the only missionary in the Kissy district that can grow a full beard.  Power to the Priesthood! Power to all of our Missionaries wherever they are serving!
Knell

These are just a couple of pictures that were on the mission blog a couple of weeks ago.

Elder Eyeinda, Elder Addo, Elder Emanualson, and Elder Rochester with a family they baptized in June 2011.

Elder Rochester with his companion, Elder Eyeinda, and a lady they are teaching.

A Smaller Jarren

The last email that I received from Jarren, he admitted that he can now pull his pants up to his waist without unzipping or unbuttoning them.  This is only after 6 weeks.  There will be a much smaller Jarren coming home to us in April 2013.  Things are going better for him.  His first few weeks were rough on him.  Living conditions were deplorable and the food was not what he was used to.  He said that living in Sierra Leone was like living in a land fill.  There is debris all around in piles from the civil war they had there.  Evidently nothing gets cleaned up. Jarren also said that most of the people that they are teaching live on top of the mountain.  He said that it was worse than summer football  2 a days pulling tires.  One thing that I do think made a difference for him was that he had received his first box from home and it uplifted his spirits to have some familiar food and dial soap.  I am so grateful to all the family for your willingness to contribute to Jarren's mission by sending him a care package.  Boxes are schedule all the way through April!!  I will continue to keep everyone posted on his progress and remind you when your turn comes up to send a box.  Please remember to send the box a little before the month you are assigned as it takes a month for the box to get there.
Knell