Met the Goal

We were excited to get to the office today to see if the baptisms scheduled for this past weekend were enough to meet the goal of doubling the baptisms in a year. We are happy to report that we exceeded the goal by three. Fifty baptisms were needed and fifty three took place. A couple of weeks ago it looked doubtful, but many miracles have taken place in the past couple of weeks to make the goal a reality. Our own office elders have wonderful stories of investigators who, after receiving some lessons and coming to church, went luke warm and lost interest. Then just within the past two weeks, they contacted the elders and said they wanted to be baptized.

One night the elders walked by a young man who was standing on the street smoking, and after walking a few feet, Elder Paz stopped in his tracks and was prompted very strongly to go back and talk to him. He told the elders that he had always wanted to hear what the missionaries had to say and invited them in. So now they are teaching him the lessons. The stories go on and on.

Our President has great faith. To surprise the missionaries and show recognition for the accomplishment of meeting this goal of doubling the baptisms, he ordered each one of them a copy of the new Spanish bible that has just come out, and had their name engraved on it. The bibles arrived last Saturday, the very weekend that was to determine if the goal would be met. President Argyle never doubted that his missionaries wouldn't succeed. They will be so excited. Several have been calling the office to see if we have received any from the Distribution Center yet. They can't wait to get their hands on them. So this will be really special for them to receive one from the President and have their name on it to boot.

Elder Nelson offered to help me sort the bibles and place them in the proper zones so they can be delivered with the mail and other supply items next week during the conferences. The AP's and the office staff are the only ones privy to the outgoing gifts.

Rich had a doctors appointment today with Dr. Ottonello. He is pleased with the progress of his knee and said the best thing he can do for it right now is ride a stationary bike. We do not know of any Gyms close by, but might have to go searching. Or we may have to ask the physical therapy place he was going to if he can come and use the bike there a couple times a week. Maybe they will let him rent it for a fifteen or twenty minute ride.

With 53 baptisms to enter this week, I decided I better get started and do some every day. Today I entered 19. I will continue tomorrow, but it will be sandwiched in with getting the supplies and mail (and Bibles) boxed up and ready to ship to the zones in the South. When that is done, then I have to get everything ready for the other eight zones here. I have my work cut out for me this week.

Elder Kroff has been arranging how to collect the money owed by the missionaries for supplies they have ordered the past few transfers. For some it has amounted to a healthy sum and they are calling wondering what they ordered. More research is required to compile a list for them.

We are looking forward to conference this weekend. Rich has been scouting out another train which goes up to the Capital and one stop is only around four blocks from the Area Office where we are going to watch conference with the other senior couples there. We loved watching conference with them last April.

Rich downloaded "Arsenic and Old Lace" to watch while I entered today's happenings. He was in this play in High School as the "mad doctor."