July 2017

  Summer is in full swing here in Kansas.  Everything is green and lush and of course the fire flies are a plenty in the back yard.  I love it here!  So far we have been able to take a morning and nightly walk. Last year we didn't even attempt it because it was so hot and humid.  We've either gotten used to it or it's not as hot as it was last year!
  We've been speaking 2 or 3 times a month in different wards around the mission.  I love that it doesn't matter where you go, it feels the same in each ward we attend.  There are wonderful people everywhere we go!
  Yesterday we attended the baptism of Edward and there were 40 plus people there to support him! It was awesome to see so many people from the ward welcoming him in.  His wife should be getting baptized soon and they are so happy.  Most of the wards here are very welcoming and supportive of converts.  I love seeing people change their lives and make themselves better, to see the light in their eyes.
  I've learned many valuable lessons since living in Kansas.  Growing up in Arizona and then living the past 36 years in Utah have been similar experiences.  The lifestyle has been pretty much the same but Kansas has been different.  Church in Kansas feels pretty much the same but you see things in church that I never saw in Az/Ut.  In Az/Ut we all looked, dressed, acted, etc. the same.  Here you will see people dressed in all kinds of attire.  Some even smell of cigarette smoke or alcohol.  This is not what I am used to but.......they are at church! They are striving to live Christlike lives, make changes in their lives and make themselves better.  It's quite amazing to see and they are accepted and loved for who they are, children of God on the same life journey as the rest of us.  This is something I will take home with me!  Heavenly Father loves ALL His children and we are in essence brothers and sisters, a family.  Families help each other, love each other, accept each other.
  June 30th we hit our one year anniversary.  That went by fast!  We feel like we are finally figuring things out and things run smoothly for a moment or two.  There is always something new to deal with!  Of course the best part of all are the missionaries who are giving 18-24 months of their lives
to full time work for the Lord!  We watch them stumble and fall and pick themselves back up and in the process learn and grow into wonderful, dedicated disciples of Christ.  This is our joy!
  The Gospel is true of that I am sure!!!