Highs and Lows

The highs of the last two weeks helped us remember why the gospel is so important in our lives. We went to the baptism of the Fisher family. It was the mom and her two oldest daughters that were 9 and 11. We weren't involved with the teaching of this family, but their baptism touched my heart and spirit. The happiness that showed on their faces was truly touching. We had a wonderful day on Sept. 30. We attended our first district meeting, where we were uplifted and the joys of serving the Lord. That evening, we taught our Institute Class on Dating Standards, then again last night on Chastity. The course is Eternal Marriage. The spirit is there and we discuss these important priciples to the youth of the church. Two members of our class are in the Air Force here. The girl has been to Irag. Some of them have grown up with each other. One has been in the church for about two months. There is a couple that is dating, and are serious about each other. We have about 12 students. We really enjoy teaching them. We are setting up an Institute Class on the campus of the School of Mines this week. We will be teaching The Pearl of Great Price. Also, I had a visit with the Sinus Dr. again. It has been 5 weeks since I saw him last. I have had no medicine, they wouldn't give me an antibiotic or Predisone because they said that it only makes me worse. So, I have taken nothing, because the medicine they prescribed my Insurance Company didn't want to pay for. Dad and Pres. Beau gave me a blessing at the beginning of my sickness. I told the Doctor that I was better because of prayer and that blessing. He said, "I'll accept that." He wrote "remarkable recovery" on his sheet. We went with Elder Wallace to see an investigator, Mark. Mark was scheduled to be baptized on his birthday, the
10th of Oct., but he somehow had his feelings hurt by something he overheard, so we went with Elder Wallace to see what we could do. We had a wonderful discussion, the spirit was in that room. We ended with Elder Wallace and Elder Hinton giving him a blessing. We had an appointment the next day to meet with his wife. We went to that appointment and no one was there. We have not heard from him since. (disappointment) We loved General Conference. My favorite was the Saturday session. I went on splits with the Sisters while Elder Hinton went to the Priesthood Session. Alleshia is a single Mom with two of the cutest girls. We made arrangements for her baptism this weekend on the 11. She is so excited. She has been to church serveral times and wants to make some changes in her life. The little girl's father, not her husband, didn't want to stay with her anymore. We started volunteering at the Elementary School that is close to our apartment. We work in two 5th grades and two 1st grades. One girl in the 5th grade came up to me and pointed to my badge and said, that's the church I go to. We only go on Monday's, but we will enjoy it. Another joy was that we have received mail from our grandchildren. Emma, Elijah, Drake, Makenna, Ty, Aaron, Jennica, Larissa, & Ashton. We have them all hung up on our wall by the kitchen table. Thank you, we love them. Another joy was that we received a phone call from Amber telling us she and Jeremy are going to have a baby in May. Like Grandpa Leavitt says, you can never have enough grandchildren, or great grandchildren in his case. We are excited. Another disappointment is Pine Ridge Home Study Class is having a struggle getting started. We are going to speak there this Sunday. It is two hours away. Pray for us that we will know what to speak about. Because of trials in our lives, I have chosen this scripture to share with you. D&C 58:2-4 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in this life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore, the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand." I love you all. The Lord loves you. The gospel is true.