Aug 17, 2009

Hey there folks,

So another week down, and from today I have exactly 6 months left in the mission, because changes will be Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010. So yeah, that's exciting. Things are going... we had two baptisms this week, so that was awesome, but only one was a convert baptism, the other was an 8 year old child of a member, but they like the missionaries to do the baptisms down here, so we put it together for them. So yeah, Laura finally got baptized after a thousand and one problems and obstacles, she's only 9, her parents got baptized a little while back, but she's cool, and then we had Walter, a little itty bitty eight year old. But we continue to see poor church attendance here, though we got this awesome 15 year old to church, named Emanuel, and he's a stud. And the youth at church are just amazing, we were walking by his house a little later on in the day, just passing by, and two of the youth his age are there hanging out with him, and they'd just met him at church. But one of the kids was all like 'Elder, I love your tie, give it to me!' (the sweet blue paisley one from my birthday), and Emanuel was like, 'I have some ties,' and runs into his house and comes out with 5 and he's all like, 'I have these but I don't know how to tie them, you guys gotta teach me!' haha, so yeah, he loved church and is already making friends. So that's exciting, he's an awesome kid.

But tell Robyn to keep it up in inviting her friend, that's so awesome she's sharing with other people, she's doing better than I was at her age, I wouldn't say a word to anyone about the gospel. But it's good to know from James Fiala that life still exists after the mission, you don't actually die... just to the people still in the mission. And I can't believe I miss your 25th wedding anniversary, that's so weird. How long have you been a member? When did you get baptized? I know you two were still newly weds, but I don't know much more than that. But I wish I could go swimming, the past couple of days were beautifully hot, but today came a super downpour that was awesome, and now its kind of chilly outside. But I love tubing, and I'm glad Cole is becoming the normal Dennis athletic boy with all of his different sport camps... but I noticed one is missing! What happened to hockey! hahaha.

But yeah, thanks for the recipes, we have a family home evening planned for tonight, and they're looking forward to some good french toast, but yeah, I don't think they'll have maple extract here, so I hope that other stuff turns out alright. Other than that, things just keep plugging along... yeah, my comp and I aren't getting along all that well, but I'm just trying to work hard and effective and I just feel like he's holding me back and has no clue what's going on. I'm trying, but right now I just don't feel like I'm having any success. There's progression in the area, but no one makes it to church. But you're right, things don't snap back in a moment, it takes time and effort. We have interviews with Pte Wade this week though, so I'm getting excited for a boost from that, a boost I'm in desperate need of right now.

Love ya lots,

Elder Dennis