Hey y'all,

The area seems to be coming along. It's just taking its own sweet time. Things are going really well with Sister Ragsdale. On Wednesday we talked all about spiritual C.P.R.- Church, Pray, Read. We had her set up calendar alarms everyday for morning, and evening prayers. She had a concern of the house being noisy at night in regards to her nightly prayer. So I invited her to pray in the bathroom. She thought that that was a great idea! I just Love the concept that we can pray absolutely anywhere, and at anytime! Sister Ragsdale is participating in the 65 day Book of Mormon reading challenge that the branch is doing. They are trying the read the entire Book of Mormon before General Conference. She has commited to start attending all of her Sunday meetings. Not just staying for sacrament, and then leaving. Unfortunately, she got sick yesterday and was unable to attend church. But she texted us letting us know that she wasn't skipping out. She also told us that she is still reading the B.O.M. :)

Things are really starting to pick up for Bruno. He got a call from his old boss this past week. Who has offered him a job for whenever he can get back to Virginia. This was fantastic news to hear. Since this will allow him to get him out of the sticky situation he is currently in. He is currently working on smoking less than half a pack of cigarettes a day.

Sister Sommers, and I are continuing to work well together. We are working hard, and are continuously striving to improve. In the past we haven't been good about evaluating our lessons. So we have been working on that.

On Saturday we had a very unexpected experience. We went up the cash register to pay for our food at the Mexican restaurant. As we were getting ready to pay. The cashier (named Armando) asked if he could give us a discount. He then went on to say that at one point he was active in the church. He stated that he received the Aaronic, and Melchizedek Priesthood years ago. But is now disillusioned with all religions. I was sad to hear this, but I know that he will eventually come back.

As I continue my reading of the New Testament. There is one thing that continuously sticks out to me. It is that we must endure all trials, temptations, and tribulations in Patience. We read about this specifically in 2 Thessalonians 1:4. There is absolutely no other way to make it through the hard times. We must always remember that it's in the Lord's timing, and what he knows is best. As we endure hard things we WILL become strong, and we will reach our divine potential. If we aren't patient, and go through trials in anger. We will not grow, and we will miss out on witnessing many might miracles. My goal is to continue to focus on the Savior instead of on the storm. To write down ways that I have been strengthened through adversity. I invite y'all to do the same. To see the ways in which you have been strengthened through hardship.

Please keep Kimberly Jordy in your prayers this week. She is supposed to be getting Baptized this Sunday. Her mom is experiencing a lot of trials right now. As a result we are having trouble getting in the home. So please pray that everything will work out to where we may get in the home. Thanks for all your prayers! :)

Love y'all,

Sister W. Williams