August 15,2011

not really half way yet. my release date (tentatively) is May 31. I really can't believe time has been going sooooooooo fast!

I have been forgetting to mention how awesome of an experience God has given my companion and I. so my companion is very much a book worm, she is very smart (majored in linguistics and knows ancient greek), she loves fantasy novels, anime (i think that is how you spell it...), and the gospel. she also wears glasses but that is beside the point. anyway, she LOVES doing office work and things on computers (which she also excels in). the office couple for botswana left on thursday this last week (they will be missed), and they were replaced with the new couple. the new couple has never used a computer before. the wife has never even sent an email, she is also dislexic ( i thikn that is how you spell it). she also is in charge of handling all of the finances for the botswana mission. so what did the president do? he called sister clendon and i to be the temporary office couple. we are sort of part time, the previous couple spent about 6 days teaching/training us on how to run the office, and now we are like the "go-to" people whenever the Kimball's (the new couple) have questions or concerns. We both feel that we have been so blessed, what an amazing opportunity God gave us. Sister Clendon is so excited because she gets to use her brain, and i am excited because i get to spend a lot of time with the new office couple (and of course help out when needed).

also we were blessed with the highest church attendance in the zone yesterday. after 7 weeks of low attendance, yesterday they (the investigators) just kept coming and coming. it built our testimony that God answers prayers.

other news, Francistown got 10 new melchezidek priesthood holders in the ward, a new area was opened (in francistown) because the francistown branch split. the two new branch presidencies were called. the presidency for francistown has two of sister randri and my recent converts in it! :)

after all is said and done, the work of the lord is sweet. there are always ups and downs but the truth is always the same... with god all things are possible. when we rely on him, he can and does work miracles, but not until after the trial of our faith.

i also started the book of mormon over. love that book, the book is a completely individual book written for each individual member of the entire world. if that makes sense. anyway, keep reading, praying, going to church and being patient. God has many blessings in store for them that love him.

love

sister blum