Sunday, March 7

Today was fast Sunday and I played the organ for Sacrament meeting. Marina and Anthony and family got there about half way through it. I called them and she said they were late in waking up, but were coming. After last night, I was a abit worried that she had a change of heart about everything because we taught her a lot about some of the changes that she needed to make in her life.

As we sat in Gospel Principles, she was glancing through the Gospel Principles Book and asked me what the word exaltation meant!! So I explained to her what it was and she seemed to comprehend just exactly what we meant. It was exciting for me to have her ask those kind of questions. Our lesson was about the Priesthood and we have never really talked to her about it, so I thought she would have more questions about that. She seemed to take it in her stride, but we will talk about the priesthood more in depth at our appointment tomorrow, (Tuesday.)

This morning we are driving to Dallas to meet Bob and Milly at the Bookstore and going to lunch with them for the last time. WE love them so much and they are doing so well as they work and serve in their ward in Corsicana. We were so blessed to be able to teach them the Gospel.

Yesterday was an interesting Sunday as we had three appointments. We first went to Alexis Serrano's birthday luncheon and honored her. It was low key and Mr. Rey was there and also Rocky and his family. Maricella fixed cheese Nachos and a yummy strawberry cake and Ice Cream for Brother Whiting. We had to leave early to get to our next appointment, but we enjoy their family. We have tried to help Maricella a little as she has had to deal with family alone.

Next we drove to Jeremy and Michelle Hall's home. Michelle lost her mother a week ago and is still suffering with a lot of grief. Michelle does not completely understand the Gospel plan. She has been partially active and married to Jeremy, who is not a member. Her mother is white and her Dad was black. She is black and married to a black. Her sister is active and she is white. We listened a lot to her feelings and tears, told her she was very normal, missing her Mom, and explained more of the Gospel plan to her.

Lastly we ended up at the Iannones for dinner. They have regressed a lot and have returned to many of their former habits of treating each other. There was not a good spirit in their home and I have to say it was not very comfortable to be there in their atmosphere. In the beginning after Bill was baptized, we tried to maintain contact and continue to teach them Gospel principles to reinforce gospel principles that they had been taught.

Then I heard from a ward member that Sis Iannone had said that she was feeling smothered by us being there so much. So I confronted her at church and ask her why she didn't tell us what she was feeling. She justified things by saying that it was Bill that felt that way. So I told her that we would not come out there again unless they invited us. Michelle was embarrased.

So we have quit calling them only if it has been necessary. She has taken to stopping us at church and talking to us. She even told me she missed us and wished we could help Bill. There are some very serious problems going on in this family, but we cannot help those who do not want to be helped. Their behavior problems are so serious, they are very, very disfunctional.

Yesterday was just a continuation of the behavior disfunction. They yell and scream at each other constantly and blame each other for their problems. There is no love shown for each other. Very sad. But we had dinner with them and listened to their constantly complaining and correcting each other. We both felt very disappointed in how things have turned out for both of them. These two bring out the worst in each other and their two children. We were relieved to go home.

Our time is short. Two weeks from today, we leave for home. We teach our last family relations class this Wednesday. Bro Stringer ask us to talk in church the Sunday before we leave. They are also going to have a pie social and say "Good bye" to us. We are also planning that day to baptize Marina and Anthony!!! Whoo!!HOO!
That will be very exciting for us. I love that MArina so much. She is really trying to make changes and do better. That attitude just makes me want to cry. She is so very sweet.