Devon Week 70 - roofing

We have done 3 roofing jobs.  I have learned to roof but I still need one more roof job to say that I could roof a house without someone aiding.

We had Leadership exchanges this week.  Elder Ray went two Boise South for a day and I stay and had Elder Brunette and Elder Stark (previous Assistant to the president). It was cool to do missionary work with them to learn from them about how they find people.  Our mission found 107 investigators in a week which is a new record!!!!      

I am excited to learn in Zone conference is next week Elder Martino of the 70 is coming.  I am in the mission choir sing as 2nd base and we hope to impress Elder Martino.  It will be enlighten to learn about his insights.   

Hope is one of our new investigators that is progressing.  She is about to be adopted and we are waiting for her to be adopted before we ask her to be baptized.  She has a lot of faith and we are confident that she will be baptized.

Fall Break

Each day of Fall Break I took Robert out to lunch.  It was my way of doing something fun with him even though I had to work.  I even took a half day on Wednesday to take him to see the movie Martian.

Monday we went to Gustavo's in Crestwood.  He had never been there - he liked the chicken quesadilla.
Tuesday we met at IHOP in Louisville.  Super YUM!  It's tradition to start the fall at IHOP with hot chocolate and pancakes!
Wednesday we met at Stake and Shake before going to Tinseltown for the movie called Martian.  I really like the movie because it is all about having a problem - and solving it!
Thursday we met at Noodle and company.  Robert loves this place.  I got him two (2) bowls of buttered noodles - he ate all of it!  Way to go Robert!  After eating we went over to American Eagle and I bought him two pairs of jeans and stuff.  It was a nice time together.
Friday we met at the Cheesecake Factory - his favorite place to eat!!!  He had his favorite - Chicken Romano and I had steak medallions.  We both had our favorite cheesecake after lunch.  He loves Adam's Peanutbutter and I love the Chocolate Mousse.

Week 70 - Eric's baptism

So much has happened this week.  I went to two baptisms. 

This whole week we have been preparing for Eric Keren's Baptism.  On Thursday we found out that someone else was getting baptized the same day at the exact same time as Eric.   Apparently both of our Ward Mission Leader forgot to save the stake center, so we didn't know about this until our District Leader, Elder McCallson told us that we had a conflict.  Our Ward Mission Leaders talked and formed a combined baptism service. Eric was baptized this last Saturday by his LDS best friend, Jared Laneheart. We thought that Jared was also going to confirm him but Eric had not chosen a person to confirm him yet.  So we asked him who he would like to do that and he said I could do it.  I was able to confirm him in sacrament meeting.

So, I received a call last Wednesday from Elder Davis that Cody, an Investigator in my last area was getting baptized.  We got to attend Cody's Baptism on Thursday.  It was pretty exciting news because I didn't think that he would get baptized that soon so it was wonderful news.

We had a spiritual lesson with Nicole Keren after her husband, Eri's lesson.  We recommitted her to read the Book of Mormon.  The spirit was with us and Elder Ray asked her that if she read and found the Book of Mormon to be true then would she be baptized.  She said yes and we set a baptism date for the 5 of December.  I has been a great privilege to teach that family and I believe that they will be sealed one day. :)

Week 69 - Church CPR

Happy Columbus Day.  Today it is very smoky and hard to breath. 

We went contacting some less actives one of the people we tried name was David.  We came to the door and a woman answered the door and told us we could come back.  We came back and found out that David had moved and that the women name is Julie and she says that she has never meet missionaries before.  We are super excited to teach her she is really nice.  She has had many religious people be jerks to her so she was turned off from it but we rekindled her desire to know more about Jesus Christ.  

Eric Baptism is this Saturday I can’t wait for it.  I just have this feeling like he is going to have a really spiritual experience when he is baptized.  After he is baptized I am going to ask him if he would write down his conversion story so that I won’t forget it.  The power of the Book of Mormon, Pray, and Church are real and powerful.  I just love all three of those tools that Heavenly Farther gives us.  I like to call it CPR Church, Pray, Read   

Weekend with my Sisters (need to finish)

On Thursday I left work and drove north to Cincinnati and then over to Wheeling WV where I stayed the night on my trip to see both my sisters in Northern Virginia.

On my way there on Friday, I found my way to the Pennsylvania State Capital Building were my sweet and dear friend, Julieann Newill works.  I was hoping to meet her for lunch and catch up on all that we have missed through the years.  She was my Maid of Honor at my wedding and my roommate, co-worker and best friend back in 1990-1991.  We had a wonderful visit.  She is still very strong in the church but going through a rough time - and will probably divorce her husband, Doug this year.  So sad.

On ward.

I arrived in Virginia and realized I was very close to my other bridesmaid, Sherri Blauer and decided to just stop by to see if she and her husband were home.  THEY Were!!!!  How amazing and wonderful.  We had a wonderful visit touring their new place and catching up.  They are very faithful and doing very well.

Then I made it to Reston were I met up with my sisters and we went to the Red Tavern to meet up with all of Sandy's High School Reunion friends for drinks (not me) before heading to the South Lakes Seahawks football game - it's perfect timing because tonight's game is against our rival - Herndon Hornets.  We won!!!!

Sandy, Kirstie and I had a super fun time together.  It felt strange to be in a familiar place but not know hardly anyone.  Melanie Kirsh and Lori Malone remembered me and were so sweet to talk and catch up.  This trip was really for Sandy to attend her High School reunion and I came along to support her!

After the game we went to Reston Town Center and met friends at Jacksons.  I remembered Brian Allen - he played basketball at Penn State.

Saturday...

I drove home all day Sunday - it was a very long drive, but it was super great to see my sisters!!!

Visit with Sherri and Reed Blauer

After a wonderful visit with Julieann, I continued my drive into Northern Virginia to see my sisters, Kirstie and Sandy ... but on the way I realized I would be driving directly past one of my other best friends from the late 80's / early 90's - Sherri Blauer Reed.  I took a chance that she would be home - since I didn't have her phone number so I just followed the google maps directions to her house.  The house I showed up at was deserted and the vegetation in the yard was over-grown.  CRAZY!  I know this is her last address.

I decided to go next door to see if they knew - or if they were adjoining properties.  Reed, Sherri's husband answered the door!  It was awesome!  I had a wonderful visit with Sherri and Reed.  They are doing so much on their new home!

It was now 5:00 and I needed to get on the road to meet up with my sisters, but the stop was worth the delay!

Can't wait to continue this wonderful weekend.

Visit with Julieann

I had the most amazing visit with my best friend from the late 80s - early 90s:  Julieann Klimovski - now Julieann Newill.  She was my Maid-of-honor and I was her Matron-of-honor.  We were so close!!

Well, on my way to Northern Virginia I stopped in Harrisburg, PA to see her.  I arrived right at 12:00 and stayed for 2 hours - we talked and talked.

Julieann works at the State Capital Building, and we visited in the Representative's office.  She is unhappy in her marriage, but is happy with the decisions she is making.  At present she is considering a divorce.  It is sad, but her husband has struggled with pornography their whole marriage - they've been married for 23 years, but it is soon to be ended.