Hello

Dear Family,

We are doing well. We had some real blessings and some real challenges as well. I guess I'll start off with the good. The best thing that happened was that if you remember Rakesh that we went by last Sunday. Well he came to church and felt the Spirit and wants to come back the next week. Then came some real challenges. Jimmy was doing fine until Saturday when we couldn't get a hold on him at all. He didn't come to church either. That was tough. Also on Saturday we were walking back from tracting to the bus stop so we could fix ourselves some dinner and as we were walking past this gas station, this guy honked his horn, so we went up to his car and he asked if we needed a lift somewhere. It turns that this guy met with missionaries before. He considered himself a born again christian and I really won't go into many specifics, but there were many doctrines that he just couldn't believe like the premortal life. So after that was over we went on to try to see Jimmy, but he didn't answer. Sunday, a challenge happened, but it was more of a neat moment as we were walking on the sidewalk, a car came down the road and threw a milkshake at Elder Ihalmo, but like Samuel the Lamanite, it didn't hit him. So onto more blessings and enough of challenges, we met with Thomas again and he has really been studying the things that we have given him like pamphlets and the Book of Mormon. At the end of the pamphlets we have, there a section for additional study that has some questions and scriptural references. Normally people don't do it, but he did and it has helped him to learn a lot. He couldn't make it to church this week since he was out of town, but looks forward to coming next week. Another neat experience happened as we were walking down the street and stopped a lady. She told us that she stopped coming to church about 20 years and how her life was doing so well. Elder Ihalmo then bore testimony of the plan of salvation and then we asked if we could come by and share more about why life has its challenges and she accepted our invitation.

Where is Mitch going on his mission? I am really glad that the Trout twins made it out of the MTC and are now in the field. As far as Pioneer Day is concerned, we didn't do anything. They did though broadcast the thing from Salt Lake to the Stake Centre. Early this month though I suggested in Ward Council that we could have a Pioneer Day activity, but the Bishop turned it down. I was also wondering if you could send me recipes for the following: Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Skillet Macaroni, and any others that could be made in less than an hour. That would be great if you could do that. They can be emailed or regular mailed. I love you all. Families are Forever.

Love,

Elder Buxton