Fri. Dec. 19

It has been a good week. We had interviews with the pres. yesterday and district meeting. I really learned a lot. It is so uplifting to be around these young missionaries. They never give up. Yesterday Pres. Smith talked about leading these members to find investigators. He is so right. He always encourages us in every way and tells us how grateful he is for us. We were fortunate to be placed in this district and zone. They have the most effective Elders in the mission here and they are hard workers. They have taught us a lot in the short time we have been here. Our disctrict leaders are Elder Kelly and Elder Cragun. Elder Cragun was assistant to the President for a while. Elder Kelly is going to play Football in 18 months for BYU. He is very humble and doesn't like to tell that he is a quarterback. That's what i like about these elders, they never brag about themselves but continually hug each other and express their love.

Yesterday we taught Jeanie Vi the first discussion. She is an older lady whose husband is a member and a truck driver. They have been married six years and he is a truck driver. Really fine people. It is only a matter of teaching her the things she needs to know to get her baptized. She is coming to Blake's Baptism on Saturday morning. Her daughter, Monica has also been coming to church and hanging out with the church kids. They went caroling the other night and she had a fun time. I think she will be right behind her mother. She is a very nice girl.

Last night we also taught Blake the last of his discussions before his baptism on Sat. morning. The church was closed for deep cleaning and Elder Whiting picked him up and brought him and a member over to our apartment for the discussion. It went well. I think that Blake looks like a "Troy." I have called him that by accident and he finally said last night, "You always call me Troy." So I called him, "Blake Troy". He said his family that are all non-members are coming to his baptism on Saturday. They have been supportive too, he said.

We also tried to deliver a media request for a Book of Mormon last night, but he wasn't home for the appointment. We will try again later, maybe today. Every day gets busier and busier here. It is because the members are so supportive and eager to make it successful here. I called Sue tonight to make an appointment for next week. The Bishop had turned them down for paying their electric bill because they do not come to church. Her border is a member and she is not. She said, they would come to church if they had a ride. Anyway we made an appointment for next week. We just do not want to set the church up for more welfare cases.

Today we are going to drop in on a couple of les actives and give a first discussion to Beverly and a new member discussion to Malissa. It is a fun and busy time. We are enjoying it. Thank you, Heavenly Father for our wonderful blessings. It is such a joy to tell people about Christ at this Christmas time.