What started out to a slow week certainly ended on a spiritual high. It was the first week of the month, and it is hard to catch people home because they go to Gallup to shop and pay bills. All of our appointments canceled on us for one reason or another. Three couples in our district are going home, two because their time is up, and the third one for health reasons. We are really going to miss all of them, but are looking forward to meeting the new couples that will take their place.

Saturday was a trip of a lifetime, as Sister Padilla described it. That was the day we went with her to the Albuquerque Temple so she could receive her endowments. It is close to a three hour drive to get there. We left early because we needed to go to the Distribution Store to get her some garments before entering the temple. So when we went into the temple, we were a good hour early. We waited a few minutes in the lobby; and the counselor in the temple presidency, Pres. Himas, who was presiding that day, came and sat with us and visited. It wasn't long before they came and got us. We had to wait for awhile in the chapel, so Sister Padilla pulled out the scriptures. The book opened to Moses 2 and she started reading. She was so excited when she realized it was about the creation, so she was reading as fast as she could while we waited.

Our Young Womens president, Branch President, and his wife joined us for the session. They reminded me that our youth were scheduled for temple baptisms at two. Was it just by chance that we had scheduled the one o'clock endowment session, or did the Lord have a hand in that, to? Any other time and the people from the branch wouldn't have been able to be with us. In fact, Pres. and Sis. Lucio were asked to be the witness couple. Things couldn't have been more perfect.

We were sitting in the Celestial Room waiting for Sister Padilla when Pres. Himas came up and handed us an envelope that had her name on it. He said that when we were picking up her clothing, there was a man in there that felt impressed he should give her some money to help buy her temple clothing. He told the President that he had had the feeling throughout the session. So when Sister Padilla came into the room, I gave her the envelope and told her what the President had said. She stood there for a minute, letting it sink in and then started to cry. I put my arms around her and we cried together. She said that the money was a Godsend. I told her that Heavenly Father loves her so much and is truly looking out for her. WOW! All in all it was a fabulous day!!!

Sunday was another day when we felt the spirit so strong. I can't describe to you what our Fast and Testimony Meetings are like. You just have to be there to experience it. The faith and testimonies of our members are so strong. It felt like there was a big blanket encircling all of us together in its warmth.

The brother that Owen ordained an elder was sustained and set apart to be the Branch Clerk. He invited us and another family to his place for dinner. We watched part of the video, “The Testaments”, ate, visited, and just enjoyed each others company. I was eating my fruit salad, and the two-year-old came up to me and pointed to a banana slice on my plate. I asked him if he wanted it. Of course, he did. So I spooned it into his mouth. Then he pointed to another piece of fruit and shook his head yes. So I gave him that one. It wasn't long until all my fruit salad was gone. He didn't ask for any from anyone else. I guess he can tell a 'sucker' when he sees one. As we were getting ready to leave, Bro. Jay gave us an Indian blanket. Owen told him we couldn't take it. He said we had to because we had blessed his life so much. Okay, time for more tears.

We are looking forward to more adventures and finding out what it is the Lord has in store for us to do this week.