I know, I know

People keep reminding me that we have not posted for a while. O.K. guilty as charged. Life here in the mission field has been good. The members are as strong as ever and we are even seeing some new faces at church. We have been visiting Philomine Nwakusor who was baptized about 10 years ago and stopped coming immediately after her baptism because of "hurt" feelings. Europe has it's share of people who have been offended and become less or inactive. She told us she was in a dark hole and it would take some time for her to dig herself out of it. She did ask for us to continue visiting on a regular basis and she now has a new Book of Mormon and several Liahona (Dutch version of the Ensign) magazines to read. She is a nurse by profession and comes from Nigeria. Last Saturday one of the Elders who was with us challenged her to come to church yesterday and she actually said she would. When church started she was not there but all of a sudden she walked in right after the Sacrament and she stayed for Sunday School and Relief Society. She introduced herself and said she was planning on coming each week from now on. Who knows, sometimes it just takes an invitation to move people. Should have thought of being bold sooner.

Lyudmila my friend from Siberia seems to be getting better emotionally. We started painting again and it has been fun to spend time together. Today her husband took their three year old with him to run errands and it was so peaceful without the little fellow climbing all over the place. I was able to teach her some new painting techniques and she was a great student. I've told you before how talented she is. Everything she tries turns out well.

The thermometer has stayed above freezing for a while so we don't totally freeze when the windy rain kicks up. Umbrellas are really useless so we have basically stopped fighting with them. We will just have to look windblown and wet like the rest of the population. It looks like the skating season may be over and I will miss watching the skaters but do welcome the warmer weather.

Speaking in church and teaching has become easier each time we are asked. By the time we leave we may be pros. We will probably have a difficult time getting used to English again. We miss you all and are looking forward to coming home but right now this is "the place' for us.