Oct 19, 2008

Dear Family & Friends,

We enjoyed a wonderful Zone Conference on Wednesday. The theme was “Unity.” As we have unity with God and with our companions, we will be able to do the Lord’s work so much better. Truly, as a married couple, we know how important unity has been in our home and with our family. And as we have worked in the Church throughout the years, we have found that whenever there is disharmony, things do not go well and the Spirit leaves. We have loved the harmony we have felt here on our mission. We enjoy working with Pres. & Sis. Hill because they have such a spirit of unity. The elders who work in the office treat each other and us with love and respect. It is the best feeling to go to work every day and enjoy the Spirit of God in all we do.

This is the best!!!

From Jim: This week I was audited by the Church audit system. The audit went well, I passed with flying colors (yippee!), and the best part was the visit the auditor and I had after the audit. Brother Etoh is a convert to the church and joined some 30 years ago. I asked how he was introduced to the church. He told me that when he was 18 years old he began to wonder about whether or not there was life after death. I do not know why he began thinking about that, but he said that even though he had no belief in a god, he decided to pray and ask that, if there is a god and if there is a life after death, that he would have a foreigner contact him and help him to know. The very next day he met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. After study and prayer, he received the answers he sought and was then baptized. What a great example of faith in a god he did not know, but asked in faith anyway and received an answer. I hope we are all asking in faith to receive the important answers we seek.

Our weather this past week has been gorgeous!!! The leaves are starting to turn color and fall, the temps are in the 70’s during the day and 60’s at night. I asked our mailman what to call this kind of weather—the phrase is “sawayaka des ne” which means “pleasing, nice, comfortable isn’t it?” Then the missionaries taught me the phrase “I ten ki des ne” which means “good day, huh?” Well, it is great!!!

We have been saddened to learn of the passing of some dear friends from Glendale, AZ: Randy Black and Stan Buell. Both are close to our age and both died of some form of cancer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their wives, Joy and Holly, and their families. Also, we pray for our family members and friends who are struggling with various illnesses and cancers that their treatments will be effective, and my sister who is trying to endure shingles.

Please know that we love you all and are so grateful for your notes of encouragement from time to time. We are so glad to feel your support and to have you share what you are doing in your lives with us.

Our best to you all—

Jim & Pat