We are experiencing what could be called fall-like weather. It has been nice to sleep with the window open and not have the air conditioning going. It still gets in the mid-eighties during the day, but the mornings have been in the low sixties; the nights maybe get even cooler than that. Anyway, it is great and even the Texans comment on how good it feels. We are seeing license plates from Minnesota and other cold places, so the Winter Texans or Snow Birds are returning. The oranges and grapefruit are starting to ripen on the trees and it is a beautiful sight to see.

We attended Mission 2nd Ward as I played the organ for Sacrement Meeting. Fast and Testimony meeting was uplifting as well as Sunday School and Relief Society. I was feeling the spirit very much this morning, even before meetings, and I so appreciate when the Holy Spirit touches my heart. I know it is from my Heavenly Father because of the way it makes me feel. The RS is making 20 baby quilts for an orphanage in Monterey Mexico in a couple of weeks and I put it on my calendar to go and help. This ward planted a garden together and I want to go and help weed it when we can fit it in. This would be such a nice break from the computer stuff and couldn't make me any more tired than all the sitting I do. It would actually be a refreshinig kind of tired. It is so strange to see all these gardens growing, when it is cold at home, but this the the perfect time here when it is not so hot. The other good time is in February through April or May. This is the ward Ray Canchola is in and he was there with his 3 children, which he has sole custody of. He has changed his life so much through rehab and coming back to church. We fasted and prayed for him and Luis (Tito) Mijangos today, because they are looking so hard for work. It sure is hard on the old heart strings when we work so closely with them and want them to succeed. We pray that one of the on-going resources we give them is eventually going to work out. Tito only stands 4'8" and is a giant of a man, but some might judge him because of that. I had visited with a mother, back when I played for the primary children, that is a Housekeeping Coordinator for 3 medical facilities. With the information I got from her, we sent both Ray and Tito to fill out applications. Tomorrow I will call her and put in a good word for them.

All the prayers, calling, and follow-up, Elder Avery has done with the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid people has brought exciting results. We will have the first meeting Nov. 19th in LaJoya so Rio Grande City wont have so far to come; Dec. 10th will be the second meetinig in McAllen. It is an information only meeting, and even though it is held in the church buildings, it is not sponsored by the church. We have to be careful how things are handled when it comes to matters such as this.

We decided not to wait any longer for the McAllen Stake High Councilman over Employment to get their Stake more involved with knowing what the Employment Center is for. Elder Avery called the Stake President's Executive Secretary and made an appointment for us to meet with Pres. Wilson. We feel good about the progress with the McAllen West Stake and needed the other Stake to be making progress as well. We are called the Texas Rio Grande Employment Center, not the McAllen West Stake Employment Center.

The Hudnors' and the Averys' were the chaperones for 30 + Missionaries that could not be out on Halloween night. Sister Hudnor and I made sloppy joes with all the fixins and it was an enjoyable night for all. Those who didn't want to play volley ball or half-court basketball, played skipbo and other table games on the stage.

Sister Butler and Sister Amitoelau have been joined by a new sister named Sister Fifita of Tongan ancestry. Elder Avery and I made it to their favorite couple missionary list which makes us feel much loved and appreciated. These dear Sisters feel like family which helps as we miss our family so much. We truly love the mission experience, though, even when it's hard.

With love,
Los Averys