Baptisms on the Colombian Coast

I think I have kind of checked out on this blog. Maybe this is how missionary moms get "trunky." Our e-mails get shorter and more boring than normal, because we know the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer. I have also been nesting a little, like you do your last month of pregnancy- getting his room ready, and preparing for his homecoming.

My heart is heavy too, for him. For him leaving the people he has grown to love so much. They say this separation is more painful to missionaries than the one two years prior when they left home. Because in the back of their heads they know that they will be returning home one day. Elder Jayden will never again return to the people of Colombia. Maybe for visits, but not set apart as a missionary, with all the rights and privileges that come with that call.

As he has been winding down his last few weeks as a missionary, he has been working hard.
This past week they had three baptisms!

I asked him a little about what he wanted by way of food for his homecoming. I told him I would have brownies for sure (they are his favorite, and he has missed them!)

Here is his e-mail this week:

Well honestly brownies yes! I feel like whatever will be fine though i think i am just going to get sick either way from the change of food so i guess it doesnt really matter what it is! Also 1`oclock church is going to be weird as well..... every church building here always starts at 9. Well i guess like dad always says "change is always good," but i dont know if i am quite ready...

Well this week was good and bad. I have been a little off this week. I guess i have been stressed and sad i guess you could say. Even though maybe i have not been up to par God still has taken care of me and given me a lot to be thankful for.

We also had three baptisms this week. two in our area and one in the other area. It was cool because we got to baptize them in a pool. It was a really cool experience and i was able to feel the spirit really strong even though we weren't in a church building for the baptism.

Honestly that was about it for this week pruebas, paciencia, y bendiciones.

(tests, patience and blessings)

Love you!

Elder Wadley

Our baptisms were: Jairo and the kid is Diego (i baptized him) and the other girl is from the other area her name is Maybelin ( i think is how you spell it!)

Side note: The day after Christmas, Elder Wadley transferred back up to the coast of Colombia. It was a long (12 hour) bus ride, and the coast is where he started his mission. It is super hot there, the missionaries are allowed to wear hats and sunglasses. His area is called Sahagún.

These baptisms took place in a local swimming pool.

This last picture he sent will always be one of my favorite mission pictures of my boys. One I will keep forever. He looks so good in his whites, and he looks so happy- a fullness of joy.

He also looks more filled out, and more mature and just different- and all those things tug at a mama's heart.
To notice the things you have missed by being apart for two years, balanced by the changes he could only have made by separating himself from you.
23 days.