Chicharron!

Here I am California dreamin' on a Monday Monday. I can't believe it's August! Summer almost over? Nah! Well, no new baptismal news.

David M. is, well, I don't know what's up there. He's just going through some hard times. It's interesting because in the very beginning, his progress was fast and you could see it. But now what we were afraid of happening is happening. He got a little content I think, and then he was vulnerable to all kinds of doubts and problems coming his way. School is stressing him out and so reading is coming in last place. He basically said he's never been truly happy. We explained that everything we're trying to share with him is about being happy. What is the gospel if not about bringing us joy? So we challenged him to read at least 2 verses every single day, no matter what. And in a week, take an evaluation of how his week went in comparison to other weeks. I really hope he does it because there's no doubt that no matter what actually happens, he will be more at peace. I'm just afraid that he'll get too caught up in school again, and just not do it. It's crazy how something simple, like 2 verses (basically 1 minute at most, right?) could be a challenge. But he's an extremist and I can see that he will feel like 2 isn't enough, so he'll try for a couple of chapters and when he can't do that, he won't do anything. So the prayers continue!

We continue to go knocking and try to talk to everyone. But where are all the people? I'm not sure. But we're looking for them. It will be nice when it isn't summer though. Because then we can assume that people should be home. Every time some of the people we regularly teach are back from vacation, somebody else leaves. Our numbers are a little lower and not very stable right now. So we're really pushing ourselves to just find new people.

We haven't seen the Inman family again since last week, but we're hoping to see them tonight. We pray that she has read in the Book of Mormon and when we teach her tonight about the Plan of Salvation that she will feel it's right and will accept a baptismal invitation!

Let's see...not much else new to tell. We went to a Hispanic grocery today-that's always a treat. Makes me feel right at home! When possible, take a trip to your local Hispanic market and buy some cheap produce. Oh yeah, Minnesotans that care, a lady in the ward here told me that there is a Spanish market right downtown in Minneapolis-a good one. That's all I know.

How are the babies doing? And the babies' mammas? I hope they are great! Ryan and Melanie thank you so much for the package! It was a very unexpected and a delightful surprise! It was so exciting to meet Jordan! He is very adorable! Is everyone doing well? I hope so! I think of you all often and want to let you know that I love you all so much! You're my favorite family!