Friday, May 18, 2012

Mother's Day call, 2012

Elder Jolley is officially an adult now (age wise). He apologized to us for the things he did as a "dumb teenager." On the day he turned 21, it was a P-Day. He went to the Newport Beach Temple and the Oakley Factory outlet, where he bought some swell sunglasses for his birthday gift. He was in a 3-some, after Elder Owens was sent home due to illness. Elder Jolley's companions got cookie packages from us, in time for the birthday, but Elder Jolley's BIG birthday package was late. Bummer! March 2, his grandfather died. The mission office passed the phone message on to Elder Jolley. He knows his grandfather is in a better place, and watching over him now. It was great to talk to Elder Jolley on Mother's Day! He's been a district leader since January, in Foothill Ranch CA. His companion since February 21 is Elder Tetuanui, a native French speaker, from Tahiti. Elder Tetuanui is 6'5" and wears a size 13 shoe! His English is excellent for the 9 months he's been speaking it. They get along really well. The ward they're working in hadn't had a baptism for 2 years, until Elizabeth B. was baptized in April. She had been married to a member for 6 months. When she married, she said she would never join the church, but 6 months later, she accepted the challenge and joined the church. Elder Jolley gave a talk on Faith at the baptism. He seemed happy, healthy and even MORE handsome. He recommended Taylor read the B of M and study the "why's" of the gospel to prepare for his mission. He challenged his sisters' (and absent older brother) to become temple worthy. He said that was the biggest wish of his heart. He encouraged Spencer to complete the paperwork for his Eagle. Mission rules state that missionaries need to jog for at least half an hour a day. Jarett HATED jogging before his mission, but he's doing it now - 6 miles a day! The ward Mission Leader, Brian Andre', had the Elders at his home on Mother's Day, for the phone call. He said "Elder Jolley is the most obedient, hard-working, faithful, pleasant missionary" he's known. Transfer's happened the Tuesday after Mother's Day. We got a letter from the mission pres, letting us know Elder Jolley is now a Zone Leader.