Dearest Family,

We had an outstanding finish to this week. It was a slow start but ended really well. From Thursday to early Sunday afternoon we were able to find and set 6 baptismal dates with new investigators. It's pretty cool. I'm glad one of them is really solid for this month, there are a couple that probably wont make the date but the others seem somewhat probable. We are looking forward to it and I'm extremely happy that there hasn't been a fall off at all and it's been so continuous even after our baptisms. Trammell is going to go to the U after his mission. So he will be in Utah.

Speaking of Aunt Kathleen, You should have her come to my homecoming in five months. that would be cool because she wasn't able to make it for my farewell.

Did you get my package that I sent for Grandpa?

I find it interesting that you brought up how bad this world can be. You know, it really is. On Saturday, we went and contacted a self-referral down in Akron and it was kind of scary. This lady, Her name is Shanecqua Taylor. She moved here from Youngstown about two months ago for a guy and the first thing she tells us is how happy she is that we were able to come over because she is fighting this "devil" and needs to get rid of it. As our conversation continued she told us that this guy beats her (we inferred) and now he has threatened to kill her. He has kicked in one of her windows and she has had the cops come over to her house multiple times because of problems. She just kept telling us about all of this insane stuff and I just kept thinking, okay. If there is a drive-by right now where am I going to hide? If he busts into the house what am I going to grab? Thankfully we had a member with us as a "back-up" but he was scared as well! I assume it's Gang related. I'm not sure but it makes me extremely grateful to be within the church where we don't have to deal with things like that and that all is well in Zion as long as we keep the commandments that God has given us because it is what keeps us safe and protected from all of the evils of the world. She was truly ready for the gospel though and totally ready for a change in her life. I really felt sad for her and I hope that we will be able to help her make changes in her life to where she will be able to escape from all of her problems.

I've been trying to ponder more on certain matters lately. Partially because I wanted to have more interesting Journal entries, but also because the more you ponder the more inspiration and revelation you are open to. So, I have been doing that. Unfortunately, I forget what I ponder about when it comes time to write in my journal. The only thing that has really stuck with me is what has been on my mind for several months now and that is personal progression. I mean what stops us? If we are totally and completely willing to turn our lives toward God and make changes to where we are completely living according to his will, why do we hit brick walls and plateau? I have yet to find out how to see in myself continued progression and improvement. It can possibly be because it's hard to see a change in your life unless it is a quick and drastic change. If it is slow and gradual it becomes difficult to see. I still feel though, that I hit brick walls and plateau's more than I should. I mean progression is eternal, We'll all get there eventually if we are obedient to the Commandments and spiritual impressions/promptings that the spirit gives us. The fact of the matter is, what we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the Resurrection. The more knowledge and intelligence in this life gives us so much advantage in the world to come.

We know that the greatest commandment and admonition given to us by the Savior is to be perfect even like he is or as the Father in Heaven is perfect. So why wait? We can't, we shouldn't, we don't need to. But as for me I find ceasing and it displeases me. Whether or not I'm not patient enough is something I'm fine being impatient with because it's progressing to becoming complete as myself.

'Tis all I can speak for now. haha I'm not sure what else is going on besides a lot of meetings the next two weeks that take us out of our area for two or more days. Tomorrow we have Zone Leader Council and then Next week Tuesday and Wednesday is Leadership Training meeting, Including all of the Dl's too. So, we are going to be super busy the next few weeks on top of all of our new investigators we have obtained.

Love you all, Have fun this week and Stay out of trouble!