I hope everything went well this last week. Can you believe we´re already in the middle of July? I can´t believe that I´ve already passed my hump day! The downhill slide has begun!

Anyways, this last week was good. We taught more lessons with our investigator thats marked for baptism, and we taught with members, and it was so good. I am so grateful for members! Last sunday, in RS I saw a woman and felt that she should go with us to visit Aguida. I didn´t know who she was or anything about her. Turns out, she´s an RM, lives about 10 minutes from Aguida, and has a daughter the same age as the daughter of Aguida (and they´re both from Cabo Verde!). They hit it off perfectly, she helped Aguida get to church, accompanied her, and all ran splendidly. Did I mention that I love members?!

I´ve been realizing even more recently the necessity and importance of members. Really, we cannot do this work alone as missionaries, and if we try to we are not using the Lord´s time effectively. I am really excited about the ward here because they seem to be open to helping us and following suggestions. For example, Sunday we had a meeting with the leaders and suggested that we wanted to start having activities (low-scale activities) to bring friends, investigators, and increase ward unity. They agreed and started a plan to have activities every other week with the ward. Also, there are three youth who have the calling of ward missionaries, but they haven~t really been doing anything. YEsterday we had a meeting with them and takled about what is their calling, what they can do, and how we can help them. It went really well, and I am excited to work with them. The missionaries shouldn´t just be people that we see in church...It´s been really hard at times when I feel like the only interaction we have with the ward is during the church meetings! So I (we) are determined to work better with our ward, involve all the members and share the joy!!!

I read a talk yesterday that was given in 2000, or sometime around then. It was addressed to return missionaries, a call for them to return to the zeal and spirit of sharing the gospel. Whether be. a returned missionary or not, all of us have the sacred duties as members of the church to share the gospel. IF you don´t know how to start, just make friends!!! It´s a simple enough thing....

Sorry if I went off on a soapbox. It´s just that I see how important that members are, and that many times this potential isn´t met. I know that you are all amazing people with a strong love of the Lord, so just shine your light!! (´3 Néfi 18:24)