A little update on our Missionary!

Recently, as you know, Jacob was called to serve as an Assistant to the President in his Mission. It has been a great experience for him, and has brought many blessings to his life...one of which has been to really be able to experience joy and less stress in his service. He has committed his life to this mission and has been a great example to all of us, of how to serve with love and devotion, and we are so proud of him.
I wrote Jake recently and asked a few questions about his mission and his new assignment...these were some things he wrote home about in answer to my questions:

"I promised to write and answer your questions, so...first of all..Elder Reynolds is not still an A.P. I took his spot literally and figuratively! The assignment of A.P is only for how long the Lord wants you there, so, no, it isn't usually until the end of your mission. I live in the apartment with Elder De Mass, Schmutz, Berlin and Harper. Elder De Mass is the other A.P. and my companion. He is a Dutch missionary, speaks Dutch and is from Murray, Utah...and yes he plays the bagpipes, really, really good, he has played since he was 11. There are only 2 A.P.'s one Dutch and one French Missionary, and our assignments are of course...incoming and outgoing missionaries, which is awesome! We also have a meeting with Pres. once a week, and we do whatever he wants or needs us to do. We also teach Zone Leader Councils and Zone Conferences. We have to go on exchanges with Zone Leaders and with other missionaries as directed and attend some interviews. Our schedule isn't too crazy or different from a normal companionship...we still proselyte, but weeks when we have exchanges, meetings, conferences, or interviews will be pretty much no proselyting, so it is busier and more responsibility...but less than I thought. We are at the Mission Home for incoming and departing missionaries and Zone Leader councils, but other than that...no. We see President at least once a week if not more...Monday mornings and afternoons are spent with him. In answer to your other question...yes, some parents come and pick their missionaries up, but Hmmmm...though I would love to show you around the mission, I think it would be cooler to come back a little later when I'm not a missionary. It is an option, but I don't know...it might be really weird...but that is a long time away, so no worries."

Jacob with Claire in the Gare du Midi. Clair is one of his most favorite people...a very special convert that he loves!

Here is a picture of Jake at the airport, with a departing group of missionaries. I could only tell it was him because of his suit,

but I knew immediately when I saw this...it was touching

to me to see the embrace of a dear friend, and under

this picture (found on the Mission Blog) was written:

Little Gestures

that sweeten the moment, stop time,

allowing us to pause to express or receive love,

for that instant, we're not going anywhere-

we're simply stopped in our tracks,

feeling the warmth of our loving connection.