Monday, May 11, 2009

Preparation day here in Sherman is usually quite busy. We are taking it easy today because we are tired from the week. Elder Whiting is taking a nap right now and I am trying to catch things up on this blog, or doing those things that I enjoy doing! ;-)

Yesterday was Mother's Day. It was nice because we got to hear from almost everyone in the family. After attending two Mother's Day programs and six hour block of meetings, we came home and had dinner with Mark. Yesterday we just fixed chicken breast and potatoes, gravy and salad. WE all enjoyed it. Mark is loosening up a lot and beginning to trust us and joke with us. Yesterday he teased me about making him some more cookies!! I have been telling him I would bake him some. He is just a very small person. He wears a size 14 in a boy's shirt, and that is probably large. We sent him home with the left overs too, he needs them.

We enjoyed teaching Cathy for the first time yesterday. She is a member who has been less active for 20 years. She marries outside of the church and her two kids have not been baptized, nor her husband. We taught her the first lesson and felt it went well. Her whole family is very active and two brothers have served missions. Her mom told me yesterday she would forever be in our debt if we could help her daughter. I just told her, "well, we are all in debt to the Savior. " We will see how things go as we move along. Her mom told me she also has a drinking problem.

Alan and Mark both came to church yesterday. We love them both and love teaching them. AS senior missionaries, we have so much the advantage because they leave us in an area long enough to teach a few people and become established in our relationships with members.

Our Mexican celebration went really well on Saturday night. Mark and Boyd and Christie all came. Alan Texted us that he couldn't come at the last minute. But it was a good activity. Christy was in the kitchen cleaning up when we left and Boyd was visiting with someone in the hall. It was good to see them fitting in. We have been concerned because we need to talk to Christy about her language. She and Boy need to learn to be obedient to those commandments they can, so they can receive the blessings. They are good people, but we have taught them this commandment twice and they just do not get it.

Eric is still smoking and hasn't come to church. Angel and George have not kept their commitments to come to church or quit smoking. We told them we would not be able to come and teach them until they kept their commitments with us. We certainly cannot baptize George until he is ready. Consequently we have not been to visit them for three weeks. She promised me on Friday, again, that they would be to church.

We taught Beth this week also. She is a member, but her husband and kids are not. She also came to church yesterday. It is difficult when people stop coming to church because they have not been fellowshipped enough. The Second ward especially struggles with that.

We fasted yesterday for Johnny, Juho and Donny. We are meeting with them tonight and hoping to help them move along and set their baptism dates. It is time. The boys actually fasted with us, along with the Moaks and various members in the First Ward. They have been going to Seminary etc. Also yesterday they participate with the Prieshood in passing our the Mothers Day gifts, and singing with the Aaronic Priesthood in singing for the Relief Society Sisters. They are such good kids.