Albuquerque, NH

I never quite know how to start these emails.. I always have the thought that I have nothing to say but then.. I end up rattling on for ages! I don't quite know how.. so excuse me for the rough start.

Speaking of rough starts - last night we taught a lesson that was a real rough start! There is a 14 year old boy who is part of the scout troop in the ward but is not a member. He really enjoys scouts and actually went on Trek this summer and he also went to scout camp at Phillmont and had fantastic experiences there! About a month ago we ate dinner at a members home who is the scout committee chair and she invited Jonathon and his family over. That night we taught the first lesson- the restoration and it went really well. We left them each with their own copy of the Book of Mormon and challenged them to read and pray about it. Unfortunately, we kind of lost contact with them. But we did not forget about them! We talked to another member family who has a son the same age and who is in scouts with him - he told us he would invite Jonathon and his family over to their house to be taught and they accepted! That was last night. We taught the plan of salvation and went right into it- not the best idea. I think both of us were pretty nervous. It was Sister Smith's first time teaching the Plan of Salvation all the way through and only my second or third.. and on top of that - we didn't even know if this was really a teaching appointment! We were told that the family had said they would come over to 'visit' in the evening.. what does that mean?? So we planned the lesson anyway and it is a good thing we did becasuae we got there and everyone just looked at us like "okay take it away!" It was nerve racking.. so we launched into the lesson! and taught - asking a few questions here and there but not really learning of what their understanding is - which is not something I recommend. After we covered the whole plan in 20 minutes (that is fast..) we laid it out with those pictures you gave me kemp and went over it again briefly with the pictures creating that visual and I think that helped. Then the questions were asked.. so okay - here is all this information we just threw on you that probably all went straight over your head and now we will find out what you know.. but it actually worked out really well and really nicely! I actually do not think it could have worked out better.. but that is definitely not something I will risk again.. Teach for understanding starting form the beginning. But the good news! We invited them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God and they accepted! And we set a return appointment! Yahoo! they are going to be baptized and then they are going to go to the temple and become a family forever!

Update on Brian- we haven't seen him since. We have set two appointments with him and he has no showed to both. but we are still hopeful! We are dropping by tonight. and we won't give up.

We had exchanges again this last week and this time I left the area! I went down to Los Lunes to the Monzano singles branch and worked there. It is a n area with much more humble circumstances and the people are a lot more willing to talk to you - for 45 minutes on their doorstep! We went to find a less active member - who lives in an area called meadow lake that has a lot of single wide trailers - his was completely ababndoned looking and quite terrifying actually - but Sister Morris (who I was on exchanges with and who is actually my grandma in the mission so it was really cool to be able to spend the day with her and get to know her better ) said we still needed to go try. I was scared. And on the side of the trailer closest to the road it had spray painted on "NO TRESPASSING! GUARD DOGS WILL BITE!!" and y'all know how much I don't do dogs - dangit I am deaf! anyway, We walk around to the front of the trailer (which was on the side). there is a big dumpster in the front and what do ya know - a dog is lurking behind. Okay. Time to run. Sister Morris continues on. and we didn't die. but the house was abandoned and trashed and in a really poor condidtion. That is why we went to the neighbor to ask about him and she is the one who talked to us for ages about all these crazy things happening in her family. She really needs the gospel. as does her family.

That is the real exciting thing about exchanges this time around. not so mind blowing as last transfer - but still real good all the same - oh but the bugs! I was really shocked at how few bugs there are her in new mexico - until I went to Los Lunes and came home with 4 mosquito bites on on ankle! It was horrid. I like my dry area away from the river and therefore the bugs!

Yesterday at church Sister Smith and I went to Young Womens instead of Relief Society and it was so fantastic! I want to go there every week! I remember how I wanted nothing more to be out of young womens and to move on with my life - and now I just want to be back! especially with the new youth curriculum. It is so cool! August is all about marriage and family- and being women, the topic of discussion was on Proverbs 31:10-31 The traits of a virtuous woman. and guess what I learned! She is Gluten Free! in verse 27- She eateth not the bread! Yahoo! It makes me feel so much more empowered to know that being gluten free makes me virtuous! but actually - read that whole section. It is really good. and there are actually real insights to be gleaned from it. That was just my aha moment of the day.

Update on Bobbie - Her daughter who was baptized about a year and a half ago lives with her husband in Layton. Bobbie had expressed to us that she wanted him to baptize her in Utah - we were bummed. But she told us that she is going to be baptized here! and her family will come here! Yahoo!

I am rambling now.. well I have been this whole time actually - but now I think I am out of rambles so I will quit.

I love you all!

Sister Stuart