Rain!

We finally received some cooling refreshing rain. I guess it has been unusally dry here, so the people really appreciated the rain. We enjoyed it too and just barely missed begin caught in it when we visited the Santa Ana National wildlife refuge on Saturday. We had a good hike through the refuge and actually made it a tad bit longer by making a wrong turn. I was so grateful when we finally spotted our car. The boy scout with me said that according to the handbook, we broke all the rules. Anyway we climbed a tower that went higher than the trees and walked across a swinging bridge. There was Spanish moss everywhere and in places looked like something out of a scary movie. It was a good adventure even if we had a little more excitement than a couple of oldies should be doing. We'll be wiser next time and go to a place where we can actually see some animals.

We had a great experience on Wednesday, which Joe, our less-active volunteer, was able to be a part of. We hope this and gratefully more to come, will influence Joe to return to activity. It most surely reminds us that this is the Lord's work and His influence there even in people being able to find work. We have been working with Brother Bolado for about three weeks starting with planting the seed of sefl-employment. Then gathering information of what that would take so he could go to his Bishop for possible financial support. I probably should have said this all actually started when Elder Avery encouraged him to let his Bishop know he was unemployed. Because of pride, etc., he needed encouragement to take that step. It is steadly becoming a reality and he has received the money and with the support of his wife it is progressing. The next step required advertising with business cards and flyers. I was in the process of seeing what I could do with clip art when the experience took place. We have another man, Brother Gaytan, that has limited vision but is experienced with screenprinting and business cards. He came into the office at the same time that Brother Bolado was there. I must add that these men are only spanish speaking and that is where Joe came. It is hard to describe the whole process but I think one can picture what was taking place. I had been busy at the computer trying to find the right clipart for Brother Bolado when I thought to introduce him to Brother Gaytan. Elder Avery, with Joe interpreting, started the idea of Brother Gaytan doing what Brother Bolado needed and Brother Bolado hooking Brother Gaytan up with some ball teams needing screenprinting done on shirts. They seemed to bond quickly and started working out details of how to make it happen. Anyway, it is an experience we want to remember and to remind us of the Lord's hand in our lives.

We had a busy but enjoyable Sabbath Day. It started with meeting with another Bishop at 8:30 am which went very well. A little later we traveled 30 min. to the Mercedes Ward where we met with the Bishopric at 11:30 am and then stayed and attended their meetings which started at 1:00. It was our first spanish ward that we have attended. We had one brother that sat by Elder Avery and did some interpreting during Sacrament Meeting and then I had a Sister that did some for me in Relief Society. We got home at 4:30, ate lunch/dinner, and then went to a baptism. We actually had the blessing of referring a man who came into our office wanting to get active again and have his 9 year old son taught the discussions so he could be baptized. We connected him with the missionaries and his Bishop and we saw the results with his son's baptism tonight and his continual activity since he made the committment. The counselor in the Bishopric told Brother McWhorter that the next step is for him to have a calling. It is so good when a ward does what it should do and we have seen that happen here.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a grandson that seems to be a bit comfortable and not as cooperative as his parents need him to be. Our daughter Ruth and her husband Ben will make great parents and are learning the art of patience before he is actually here. It is hard not to be with them at this time even though we know they will be just fine. Anyway, we are excited to get the news!

With Love,
Los Averys