Spending time writing each week causes me to do a lot more reflecting on the experiences I am having than I would without this goal. I am surprised how easily I could let myself be content to let life happen and never spend time expressing my feelings by writing about it all. There was a time I actively wrote in a journal and can now recall how I was able to put my daily routine of caring for a family in writing and how that strengthened me. I experience the same blessing as I think back on the happenings of the week and can see more clearly the Lord's influence in this work. I so desire to see it in the moment it is taking place and will strive for that. From my scripture reading, I have added a favorite; ..... "let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. " (D&C 123: 17)

We met with Brother Stotts, our supervisor from Houston, on Wednesday and was able to receive helpful instruction. We don't close the office when he comes, so being able to meet with him and take care of the people that come in, is an interesting experience. He showed us a DVD that the Employment Services has put together, and we are anxious to add it to our training of the leaders. At the suggestion of Brother Stotts, we decided we would have our Career Workshops every Tuesday and Thursday of the 2nd and 4th week of each month. We will build it first and then wait for "his arm to be revealed". We are letting the Bishops and Ward Employment Specialist know and we will invite people as they come into the office. I will also prepared a flyer for the bulletin boards, which, for now, will have to be English speaking only. We may not have anyone come for a time, but we will be prepared anyway. These workshops have such great tools available for people and we decided it was not going to happen if it was not already in place, so we are exercising our faith.

We attended another Spanish Ward today called La Joya. Bishop Rodriguez is a dedicated young man of only 29 years of age. He was ordained to his calling when he was 24 and had only been a member for 4 years. He has asked us to come back on the 5th Sunday of this month to talk to the priesthood and RS about the importance of service. We enjoy singing the hymns in Spanish and try to match the vowels sounds closely to what we have learned plus what we hear the other members singing.

We decided to attend a baptism of a sister tonight that Elder and Sister Davidson have been teaching. They are the office couple and will be going home to Washington in about a month. They have been so diligent with their work with President Miller, and also in wanting to teach the gospel. That wasn't part of their responsibilites, but Elder Davidson is a real missionary at heart and this has brought such joy to them. It is held in the Weslaco/Mercedes chapel and will take about 30 min to get there; we look forward to being able to be there. Sometime I will need to ask about how many baptisms are taken place because we believe there are quite a few. It truly is exciting work and the hope of a Temple here someday is truly possible.

With love,
Los Avery