Monday, Oct 27

Today is Kayli Whiting's Birthday!!! I have just been thinking about her today and how she wants to be in the MBA!! What a girl she is. I love her.

Today is Monday morning and a whole new week. Elder Whiting and I had a wonderful discussion about faith and how it works, this morning. Because of our faith we can walk with someone and take them where they are willing to go. Without faith, we are limited in our progress because we cannot see where we are going. An example of a lack of faith is Nina, who didn't want to walk with us any further into the Gospel. She was not willing to explore unknown horizons and wanted to stay with her old habits and friends. It seemed generated by fear. Maybe as time goes by, the spirit will help her to see and have faith to move.

On Friday, Elder Whiting and I drove around and left announcements of activities and some church magazines we had with the less actives in the branch. We got to to talk to a few of them that were home. In particular, the Aguilar family, we met for the first time. They said they were coming to the Halloween party on Wednesday at the church. The less actives and even some nonmembers come because they are looking for a fast way to trick or treat and have a party. I guess we need to pray for another way to reach them. It was nice to see so many again. As we keep going back we see that hearts are softening. I think their faith is growing and Heavenly Father is helping them to want to return. Brother Kato seemed especially excited about receiving magazines and invitations.

The rest of the day on Friday we spent in the ER at the hospital. We waited for three hours to get an antibiotic for a bladder infection I had developed. That was an experience. The funny thing was that at church yesterday, the organist also had the same problem. She ended up going home and I played the organ for her. We met a nurse who had five boys and we were able to introduce ourselves to many other people. There was also a prisoner from the local jail who was all handcuffed, etc. They were watching him pretty carefully.

On Saturday morning we went to the rehearsal for the Primary Sacrament Meeting and accompanied them because their accompanist was out of town. Elder Whiting was cleaning up their Primary breakfast while I was playing the piano. They were very appreciative of that. Later we stopped over at the Olive Garden in Waxahachie, and then in Blooming Grove to locate a media referral and a less active. The Media Referral had given us the wrong address and obviously was just trying to not be found. It was his Grandpa's house and he would not tell us where to find him. We just gave up. The less active was not home either.

Yesterday, being Sunday, was a good day. We had meetings all day. I played the organ for Sacrament Meeting. It is a very easy organ to play and user friendly. We baptized Taylor Steel and had about 6 non members there. That was thrilling and was a very spiritual meeting. Her grandmother was so thrilled and her Dad who is not a member came too. We hope that we opened some doors. Taylor is a very sweet girl. Her mother is not in the picture right now because she is in prison for embezzling some money from her former employer. Taylor also sang a solo in Sacrament meeting, (for the program,) and is going to sing next week for Bob's Baptism.

Our attendance at Sacrament meeting is rising. We are hoping that the members will start embracing each other more and build the feelings of "being needed" there. Bob and Millie did not come yesterday. Millie's sister in Florida took a turn for the worse and Millie flew out to see her. By the time Bob got home from taking her to the airport, it was too late for him to get the church. Millie may not be home in time for his baptism, but he is going through with it nevertheless. He is pretty set in that. He does not want to disappoint all of the people he has invited and that are counting on it, he says. I talked to him yesterday and told him all the things that were going on the branch and he says he will come without Millie. He is an amazing fellow and very committed.

Last night we met with the Augusts about their missionary plan. They are a very enthusiastic and strong couple. He is baptizing Bob next Sunday. They identified five people that are possibilities for them to work with. They would like us to teach them in their home. That is exciting to feel their willingness and enthusiasm for the work. I think this is going to be great talking to each member about their possibilities as missionaries and goals. Anyway we made a great start.

Tonight is our empty nesters family home evening. I am making rolls and dessert to take and today is preparation day. Busy, but rewarding day