Today we visited the Rio Grande Branch which is about an hour away. It is a small Spanish branch and we have wanted to visit there for some time now and I am glad we made the extra effort. The two missionaries that serve in Rio Grande City were the speakers along with the High Councilman. We understand some words as they talk and at least feel of their love for the gospel. When I saw no one playing the piano, I asked a brother who spoke English, if there was anyone who played and he said they just sing to the CD player. I am so grateful at times like this that my Mom kept me going with my practicing. There are a few missionaries that play the piano in this mission and it would be wonderful if once in awhile one of them could be transferred to that ward. They seemed to enjoy having the piano played for a change. President Lopez told us through an interpreter that he released the inactive ward employment specialist and is working on getting another person called because there is really a need in his branch. Step by step we see good things starting to happen.

We are taking time at the end of each day to talk about the good things that happened that day. I don't know why it is so easy to look at the things that don't go right and focus on them, rather than look at the positive things. Since we have been doing this, it is amazing what we have discovered; People making the decision to start the process to get their GED or take an ESL class (English second language), a High Priest Group leader who lost his job and then got hired back, seeing a timid man step out of his comfort zone and do things he hadn't done before, giving job leads and having people that have been trying so hard get a job, giving people hope by making business cards and flyers so they can be self-employed, and all the miracles that lead up to people finding employment, that would take way too long to share. There are so many that haven't experienced these things yet, but we can't focus so much on that when there is so much good that is happening.

Brother Stotts was here for his monthly visit and we are always uplifted by things we learn from him. I thought we would have a change this month on how we enter data on the computer, but it won't be until next month. He always is helpful with all my computer questions and other technology, such as operating the video camera for mock interviews, using the projector and computer to give a group of leaders instructions from the church's web site, and accessing the official LDS employment logo so I can make business cards for the ward employment specialists.

Sister Butler and Sister Amitoelau thought they would get transferred this week but they are still together and so we have them for another 6 weeks. President Miller said he didn't know how that happened for the third time, but he guaranteed it would not happen again. Sister Amitoelau gave me a real Samoan I'E LavaLava which is kinda like a wrap around skirt. Now she just needs to teach me a Samoan dance.

I am playing for the Hidalgo 1st Ward Primary program so I have been making extra trips to that ward building for practices. On the way home Friday night, we had a very close call when a car directly to the left of us started to turn into us. We honked the horn twice to get their attention and went as far to the right as we could . We were already in the far right lane so at least there were no other cars to deal with. It was probably one of those cell phone talkers that we see so often and just wasn't paying attention . All I know is we were being protected because it was like everything was happening in slow motion because of how slowly they were moving into the lane we were in. Some of the people just zip from one lane to another and we have seen some very narrow escapes when they do this. Anyway we went and treated ourselves to our favorite, Italian Ice Cream, and expressed out deepest gratitude for coming through that experience unharmed.

Even though we don't actively preach the gospel, we have opportunities to share church DVDs' and pamphlets and give referrals when someone expresses an interest. We continue to see the results of that when the missionaries update us of the teaching process and of giving the baptism invitation. It is just another rewarding part of our mission and we just simply feel so blessed.

With love,
Los Averys