Week 17 reply to Dad

From: Jordan Stamps Jones <jsjones@myldsmail.net>
Date: April 6, 2014 at 8:58:34 PM MDT
To: "Sajmba2002@yahoo.com" <sajmba2002@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Week 17 - "You are 17 going on 18..." From Korea's Alive With The Sound Of Teaching

Hey everyone!

I'm glad everyone made it back from driving safely! I am also glad the van is still holding up! How much longer do you think it will go? I keep seeing exact replicas over here and it just reminds me of the old van; we have seen a number of vehicles stop working in the middle of the road ;)

I really am happy to hear that everyone is doing so well and I hope you continue doing well! I am so happy that missionary work in the ward is still going strong. I know dad knows, but I can attest to the fact that members are a vital part of the work. Nothing can replace a friend in the ward and a non-missionary face at lessons. It is difficult, but any help you can give is always a giant help.

I hadn't heard about any North Korean stuff. There was really nothing out of the ordinary at all. It is incredible how little Koreans care about the whole situation.  I can ask some other missionaries farther north about it at conference, but the fact that no one has said anything reminds me that it really isn't very serious most of the time. I just hope it stays that way!

We still don't know about Mother's Day arrangements. I think I will need to ask at the mission conference later this month, but I'm sure it will be explained in a mission email before then.

It is still a bit tough to switch between languages, but it will turn out alright. The practice from translating during lessons has been quite helpful! I think that will stay the same for a while. They are definitely different languages, but I am starting to learn some Chinese words via translation because a lot of the religious words in Chinese are only a little different in Korean. I am able to pick out a lot more in lessons than on the street, but it is still fun. I really do hope I get better quickly, though. It is a little awkward for an elder and a sister to teach while their companions just sit back and listen.

I am hoping to send you some pictures soon, but I am still looking for a good way to send them. I apologize for not sending a letter last week, but I will send one this week, so it should get there before May... Hopefully...

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. You are such a help :) I look forward to talking to everyone in May; hopefully we will see each other's faces, too!

Press forward with steadfast faith in Christ.

Best wishes,

Elder Jones