Pressing Forward!

Even though Monday was a Holiday, even for us, we spent the morning in the office getting 9 pre-resumes ready to mail out for the missionaries going home in July and other catch-up items. We then made arrangements to meet with Brother and Sister Lyles at their home to glean imformation that could further assist us in working with the people. They practice provident living very well and it was great to see that in action. The family all worked together in providing us a delicious lunch all made from scratch and using well seasoned deer meat they had previously been prepared totally by them. They had four sons and then three daughters which was an interesting bit of information that we had in common with them. They also have been the foster parents to many youth and only had one they could not help. It was a delightful visit ending with a trip through the garden and meeting two wild hogs and their baby. Occasionally people are in need of a animal to barbeque and this family is able to accomadate them because of their expertise in hunting. Some of the sons were off to an afternoon of fishing at the gulf, which would be interesting to witness because of how much they can catch at one time.

Our Cooper is a week old and we so enjoy the pictures that we receive. His parents will need to send them regularly as a baby changes so quickly. That is a hint to his aunts and uncles to send pictures also, as we are sure all our grandchildren are growing by the minute.

We have had close to 40 job placements this month so we felt good about that with the economy at all. We want to do so much more by helping people gain knowledge and confidence
in becoming employed. We know it just takes time but we also know how fast time goes and there is so much to do.

Elder Avery read in the paper that Hurricane season officially starts tomorrow and there are two major hurricanes and five to seven other ones projected from Florida over to here. We had one day this week that we wondered if we were experiencing to some degree what it could be like with a hurricane. The wind almost took me and my umbrella flying!

We did my least favorite thing on Friday-inspecting the Missionaries apartments. I did so much of that kind of thing when we had the motel and besides these Missionaries do their best and it is hard to pick one over another. I can't help but wonder if there isn't a better way to encourage cleanliness but haven't spent any time on an alternative, so I just do my duty. Yep, you got it, I am the one that actually checks and marks the chart while Elder Avery does the other 'stuff'. We chose the apartment in Rio Grande City because they made such a noticeable effort to improve their little abode. I do enjoy meeting the missionaries, but with 10 places to inspect and with the travel time, I don't get to do much visiting. We were glad to be home and were more tired than our usual working day.

We talked again in Church today and always enjoy going to Sunday School, etc., with the members. The fifth Sunday message was on member missionary work. I was reminded of D&C 60: 2-3 which we had read this morning and it really brought thoughts of how better I need to be in opening my mouth and sharing the gospel message. My brother Chad's letter this week was on an experience he had and how he desires to share more often. I hadn't realized so profoundly as I did after reading that scripture, that we can lose our testimonies if we don't share them.

I think a nap sounds good as we have two appointments this evening and want to be at our best.

With Love,
Los Averys