This week has been kind of a disaster...

We have been teaching a family here, the Ruiz family- who are AWESOME. They were married in the church by the missionaries 5 years ago to prepare for their baptisms but something happened and the baptisms fell through. So we found them and have begun teaching Efrain, Esperanza and their 5 kids. We were super excited when the entire family came to church on Sunday! We had to go and wake them up, and drag the teenager daughters out of bed...but they came! The young womens was putting on a special two hour luncheon for Mom's and daughters and they were super excited to go.

Well, while they were in their class, their son, Brandon, (5 yrs old) somehow escaped from primary with nobody noticing. Their daughter (3 years old) started crying and came into find her Dad when she couldn't find her brother. So we spent Sunday school searching the church for him. We found him sitting outside by their car crying because he thought they had left him. Efrain never wants to put his children in primary again...not a great first impression. We're hoping to find a way to invite them back and make them feel comfortable- but the outlook isn't great. :(

After all that, we got home last night and recieved a call from President Jackson telling us that he was on his way over to our apartment. They live 45 minutes away and it was already 9:00 pm so we knew it couldn't be good news. Sister Kelson's cousin was murdered last night in AZ. He was 20 years old. Needless to say, it was a long night... Keep your prayers with her and her family. I think that she could use all the support she can get, so send good news and love :)

We talked a lot about the Plan of Salvation this morning, and what a blessing it is that everybody has the opportunity to hear and accept the gospel. and that we know that we will all get to see eachother again one day.

Inspite of all that has happened this week, we both know that everything is going to be okay, and that really no trial is too big. There is just a feeling and an asurity that no matter what happens, we can get through it. We teach that every day- that no matter what people are facing, or how bad their situation seems, if they put their faith in God, and if they can see that this moment is just a small part of the grand picture- they can face anything.

This is an opportunity to prove that message true.

I love you and think of you often.

-Ries