Week 29 -- More of the Same

The best part of this week is still today, Sunday -- wonderful Church meetings and special people.  Today, our good friend and somewhat recently activated member, Helen Baden spoke in Church on prayer.  It is really difficult to believe that she was inactive for nearly 30 years.  She talks and acts like a life-long member and she portrays in her spirit, one that loves the Lord.  Her husband, Paul attended today.  He is a great support to her and one that really ought to be a member of the Church.  We personally believe that when he decides that he really wants to know the truthfulness of the gospel, he will join the Church.

We need to mention our unorthodox priesthood and relief society meeting.  As we are each heading toward our opening exercises, we are stopped in the hallway and the Bishop calls us all into the chapel.  He decides that he wants to have a combined meeting and that he wants to turn it into a baptismal service.  The Elders have a man from Croatia that is to be baptized.  Originally they were going to do it after sacrament meeting, but they instead do it during the 3rd hour of the block.  It turned out really neat and very spiritual.  Besides, our friend, Paul, got to see the whole thing including how it was done and the talks and everything.

After Church we took the train home so we could beat our arriving guests for dinner -- the Sister missionaries.  They have such great names.  There is Sister Pink from Australia and there is her companion,
Sister Boman.  Sometimes they get mistaken for Sister Pink and Sister Brown.  Anyway, Sister Boman is headed home this week.  She said that she really was grateful for an invitation to have another dinner with us before she left.  Guess she really likes Annie's cooking.  We might mention that we are really sending three missionaries home this week -- all from our ward.

We had another interesting experience at Church.  Annie was invited to give the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting.  When the meeting was over an old friend of her's from Vernal, Utah walked up and said she was visiting the ward prior to her getting on a cruise ship later today.  She had no idea that the Smart's were serving in the Staines Ward.  She probably would have hurried and left after Sacrament Meeting so she could get back to her cruise had Annie not been asked to pray.  Anyway, for all you Vernalites, their names are Frandee and Dave Felton.

Family History Centre Workers

Life continues to be good.  We enjoy serving both as camera operators and as family history centre workers and just plain serving.  We were told today that the Bishop is starting to interview the members of our temple preparation class this coming week.  That means that some of them will likely be going to the temple soon.

Velynn & B D

We want to congratulate Andrew on having a birthday this week.  He turns 26 on Friday.  We also want to congratulate Aaron and Audra and family on landing a job in LasVegas.  It's not quite Utah, but almost.  Congratulations to Velynn on being discovered by one of her singing idols.

We sincerely hope that life is good for you all.  We love you all and miss you all.



Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Paul and Annie, Elder and Sister Smart