I read this quote from Elder Henry B. Erying and added it to my others that I often repeat to keep me focused. "Please let me serve this day. It doesn't matter to me how few things I may be able to do. Just let me know what I CAN do." I really appreciate the wisdom in those words.

We had an experience that I would not like to repeat, but was strengthened by it anyway. Sister Butler, Amitoelau, and Fifita, invited us to attend a lesson with a man, they contacted knocking doors, who had read the Book of Mormon several times. It sounded like a 'golden opportunity' and we looked forward to it. Well, he turned out to be very anti-mormon but, interestingly, was not rude about the way he talked to us. We were not given much chance to share anything and because we were not contending with him, it seemed to cause him to lose some of his original intent. Sister Butler gave him the phamphlet on the restoration with their phone no. incase he had any questions and then he gave the prayer basically asking that we come to our senses. Elder Avery shook his hand as we left and bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was trying to discredit the Book of Mormon because of all the mistakes that were in it. I later read again the title page that says that if there are faults, they are the mistakes of men; wherefore do not condemn the things of God. He must have missed that part in his reading as well as Mormon 8:12 where it says, whoso receiveth this record and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these.

Zone Conference was great and a big part of it was a Christmas program where many of the missionaries performed. Elder Valentine, who is finishing his mission in a couple of weeks, shared with the other missionaries the importance of being careful to not misplace their referral slips. He shared a personal experience where some disobedient missionaries had been replaced and when the new missionaries took over, they found referral slips all over the apartment. Something caused one of them to move the couch and there was another referral slip stuck in the heater vent. The people were contacted and they joined the church and later had four boys. Elder Valentine was the youngest of those boys. What a powerful testimony of the Lord's hand in our lives and of the importance of obedience.

Our Legal Aid information night went very well with about twice as many people as the first time. We so appreciate these two dedicated people who are willing to inform the people of what they need to be careful in doing or not doing as well as all about the immigration laws. They were told their is a lot of crooked lawyers that make promises, they have no business making, just so they can make money. It was in Spanish, of course, so we depend on someone to interpret for us and probably don't get all the information, but the people do and that is what is important.

We attended a Youth Christmas program tonight that was enjoyable and festive. Some of the young people that we got to know this summer were in it, as well as one of my piano students. They do the program twice in one night; one in English and then again in Spanish. They are quite the example of dedicated young people.

I love the Lord and am so grateful to be a part of His work. I pray he will let me know what I CAN do and bless me not to worry about whether it is enough.

With love,
Los Averys