Marva and Sam came today!!! Amber and Nick are married!

Today was Sunday and Marva and Sam Rogers came and went to church with us and then we had lunch at our apartment and then they left for their mission in Jackson Mississippi. They have to be there by noon tomorrow. Elder Whiting said they had to drive about 500 miles. They needed to be there at a zone conference. They were very excited and anxious to get going!

We had our Mexican Fiesta last night at the church buildng. There were 11 non members, 5 less actives,a and 61 actives attending. We felt it was a great success. It is the first real activity we have had in this branch since we arrived here three months ago. We met and fellowshipped with a lot of people and felt very good about it all.

We hope to get baptism commitments from Eric, and Efrin and to get back to visit with the Vasquez family this week. Things are moving along so that they are not so eventless and we are feeling better about it. The branch is supporting us more and more. Each one has their little dramas going on and it is difficult to stay away from them, but we try.

Tomorrow we are going to hear Elder Ballard in Dallas. He is speaking to the missionaries in the Dallas Mission as well as the missionaries in the Fort Worth Mission. He is staying an extra day in order to speak to us. So we are excited. Over the week end we went to a wedding at the Dallas Temple for Amber and Nick from Sherman, Texas, our last area. It was good to see them and we love them very much.

We are so thrilled that today in Sunday School, Cory received the Aaronic Priesthood!! When we came to this area, he was less active and did not want anything to do with the Branch. We started going to his home every week and studying and teaching with him and he has changed his whole attitude. The ward had tried to work with him for about a year, but just couldn't get him to participate. He took to us easily as we just loved them and came regularly. He told us it was the first time he felt that someone really cared. The ward has been very appreciative of the help that we have given and we truly do love Cory and Michelle.
They attend every week now without fail. Today in our Sunday School class Cory talked about how different his feelings were and how he is trying to live a better life and care about others. It is fun.

We have been meeting with Eric to study the Book of Mormon and help him with it, and also teaching him lessons once a week at the Branch President's house. Eric is dating Alicia and they are both such nice kids. They are getting married in January. Eric is very open as he learns about the Gospel. He seems to really desire to understand the truth. We are trying to be thorough so that he understands and works for that Testimony. This past week we took him clear back to the creation because his religious understanding is limited. But it is easier to teach him from scratch than to undo things that he has been taught that are wrong.

We are loving the people here and trying to remind them that we do. It was funny, this morning I had a difficult time sharing them all with Marva and Sam, I felt a little possessive! That is funny!!! Marva and Sam will be loved and needed where they are going and will be wonderful missionaries.

And did I mention that we are learning Spanish? Elder Whiting and I are taking a Spanish class at the church from Marisala Carpenter. Elder Whiting does much better than I because he has had Spanish in school. I have to study harder to remember it, but am enjoying the challenge. Marisala has taught Spanish in the high school here.

The Branch president mentioned that he had ordered the books for the class that he wants us to teach on Marriage or Family Relations. I'm not sure which. We are hoping to involve some less actives and non-members. That would be fun. We will see.