Elder Mullins' One Year Mark

Jayden has hit his one year mark. He left for the MTC one year ago today. Here are some photos of his year. It's been a great one.

We went to the Ogden Temple open house the morning we took him to the MTC.

This is Marshall Frodsham, the only boy Jayden's age in our ward.  They entered the MTC together that day.  We saw him and his family at the Provo Temple as we said our goodbyes.  His dad had been cured of lung cancer, but it came back just a month or so after Marshall left for Thailand.  He came home in December to be with his dad for the last few weeks of his life.  After the funeral he got back on the plane to Thailand.  His family is the strongest I've ever known.  Hopefully they will have their homecomings together.                                                                                                                                                       

 

My last hug for 2 years

I was fine and and smiling until we dropped him off at the curb.  Out of nowhere I was sobbing.  I remember driving away and saying to Matt, "Two years is a long time."  It has been a long year, but a wonderful one too.

His first area was in Mesa.  These are some kids he taught there with Elder Parker who were from the Republic of Congo.   I believe they are refuges.  They live in government housing and are very poor.  Their parents don't speak English well, but the kids do because they go to school.  They were so loving and happy.  Jayden thought they were wonderful.  I'm sure he misses them.  Elder Parker was his first companion.

Christmas at the Mesa temple with Elder Parker

Jayden's 2nd companion was Elder Bakaitis.  He's from Chicago.  They served in Jayden's first area of Mesa.

Elder Sweeten and Elder Mullins at the Mesa Temple Easter pageant

These two became best buds.  This was Jayden's 3rd companion.  They served in Apache Junction together.  They consider each other as brothers.  They were together for 3 transfers.  I'm glad they were so great together.

Mesa Easter Pageant--Jodie Beals

Jayden and Elder Sweeten got to attend the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant almost every night.  He saw many of our friends who sent us text photos.  It was so much fun.  Jodie is my best friend from Queen Creek, AZ.  We became friends when we were newly married at Snow College.

This is Elder Jencks, Jayden's 4th and current companion. They are serving in Globe, which is higher in elevation so it's cooler.  They also have a car, because their area is 12 miles across.  This photo was taken at an old ghost town they found.  They found the remains of an old post office.  They are doing great things in Globe.

It's been a long year for Mom; however, the time flew by.  I'm sure the next year will be even faster.  He really loves it there.  It's fun to get all his emails.  I wouldn't want him anywhere else.  I can hardly wait for the next year full of adventure packed into all his emails.