Jan 1, 2009

Today is New Years day in Sherman, Texas. It is windy, the sun is shining and it is a little chilly. You never know around here whether to wear a coat or not. It's best usually to have one in the car. Because it has been the holidays between Christmas and New Years, it has been difficult to have a normal week. We have had to back off a little because of people being gone, in a holiday mood and also sickness. But it has been a good week. We are not discouraged.

In the last two days we have received three investigators that we were not planning on. We also had a very successful meeting between the Bishop and the Mission leader in the Second ward. It feels like they are really wanting to work with us in bringing people into the church. Bishop Williams is a very good man. He sincerely cares about the people and has really tried to get into the homes of most of his ward members. However, there is very little missionary work going on here as evidenced by the members. They feel the missionaries have neglected them, but the truth is they have let themselves down. We are trying to implement individual members missionary plans so that we can move forward with their commitments.

We have a meeting tonight with a fellow from Africa who we met yesterday on a media visit. He wants to hear the Gospel, "and make the decision for myself." He is a very interesting fellow and we are looking forward to teaching him. He had been introduced to the Gospel by a fellow employee recently. He is divorced and has two children.

Tomorrow we are also teaching two new investigators. Christie is a living with her boyfriend. He is Spanish and the Elders are trying to activate him and want us to teach her the Gospel. We met her yesterday and she is anxious to hear the Gospel. She already has been to church last week.

We also are teaching Sandra tomorrow. She is a referral from the Elders also. They, along with the mission President met her when they stopped to have lunch at Arbys. She is very young, married and supporting her husband. They are very poor but want to hear the true Gospel. We are so blessed to be able to teach them.

In other things going on, we taught Jeannie Via this week. Jeannie has set her Baptism date to February 14. Jeannie and her husband met on the internet and were married in Las Vegas in a drive through marriage place. Jeannie's husband is a less active member who is a truck driver. They are in their 50's, but have been married for six years. Jeannie has a daughter, Monica, who we may also teach. She actually has been sitting in on our lessons.

Beverly is another gal we have been teaching this week. We have taught her two lessons and she seems very sincere and interested. She believes all that we have taught her so far. She drinks coffee, but is already thinking of what she can use to substitute. Her daughter was baptized about four months ago.

We were unable to teach Jeremy this week. He was sick and we teach him on Sunday. Jeremy seems very sincere and is dating a girl who is a member. He also has been coming to church.

That the work is going forth is evidenced by the opportunities we are having here. Bonham is being opened up by two new missionaries who are coming in this week and will be a part of our district. We have not been able to get over there to meet with them. Even Media referrals are difficult because they are so far and take so long. We pray that we will be able to continue in the work with the members. Our goal is to get these members, especially in the first ward all fired up. This is such a difference from Corsicana.

Last night was New Years and Dad and I started a puzzle after we returned from having dinner with the Kelly family. We went to bed at 11 pm and didn't wait to welcome the new year. It came anyway.

I have to write something funny in here. The other day Logan called me to tell me, (per Alyson's instructions, ) that he had scratched a couch. He said he was sorry. After Alyson had translated what he said, I said to Alyson, "Alyson, he's more important than the couch." To which she replied, "I know, but I want him to take responsibility for what he did."

So I was able to talk to Logan again now knowing what he said, I said to him, "Logan, I love you so much and I know you'll take good care of my couches." Logan turned to his mom and said in a very excited voice, "Mom. Grandma loves me so-o-o much!!!" It was so darn cute. I just laughed all day long.

This week we start back to the regular days of working regular hours. It will be good for us and for the wards we work with.