wit-in-houston-part-two: 11-8-10 "YOU need to make up YO mind!"

One morning this week, as we were heading to the gym for our workout, we encountered this couple in the middle of a mild domestic disturbance. I think she wanted him to help her load some stuff into the car, but the conversation has been a source of laughter all week, especially as we all try to imitate their accents. It went something like this: (her) "Pop the Trunk!" (him, mumbling) "I gotta go." (her) "No. You need to come ova' here and hep me!" (him, still mumbling) "It's past 6:30. I gotta go." (her, angry) "YOU need to make up YO' mind." That's all we caught, so really, it's obviously her who's the quoteable one, but you should hear Sister Radin say, "Pop the Trunk!" It cannot be recreated on e-mail.

This week was pretty crazy and normal at the same time, somehow. Don't ask me. I don't really know what I mean either. We attended a leadership meeting on Wednesday that was nice. We are still teaching Joseph and preparing him for baptism, and we had another investigator give a soft commitment to baptism this week, but unfortunately she wasn't at church on Sunday, so we still have a lot of work to do there. Still, the stake patriarch has been helping us teach her, and our member present lessons have been sensational. No contact with Pablo on our part, but he did come to a mutual activity this week, so the ward is fellowshipping him wonderfully. Now if we could just get in contact with him again. Oh well. It's in the Lord's hands, and ultimately it's His work anyway. I'm starting to realize that I'm going to leave a lot of things undone in His hands and trust that they'll get taken care of.

Speaking of which, a bit of sad news from Illinois. Our friends have fallen on hard times, and I don't have very many details, and too few to really disclose any here, but if you could keep Brigette and Allen in your prayers. Let's just say that going back to Illinois was a way of walking into many former, bad influences when their testimonies are still young and tender. Agency. It's a hard truth, but an essential one. Sorry for being so vague. I think the Spirit is softening the pain of it for me a lot by helping me learn from it rather than just feeling the sorrow of the situation. Plus, somehow I trust that the Lord's plans can overcome even the lastest tests and trials in their life if they will turn to Him. I don't know what else to report from this week.

I should be getting a box of in the mail today, but don't open it until you see me again, whenever that happens to be. It's fine that you won't be sending anymore mail my way. It'll make it easier knowing I don't have to secretly hope for mail everytime we go to the box. Anything I happen to get from anyone else will just be a pleasant surprise. In leiu of words, since they just aren't coming, I'll send some pictures. Two of last weeks trunk or treating adventures, and one of us with Joseph who said a prayer out loud this week. THAT was big.