Reece's Preaches: Re: Hello from the smokey mountains

Hello!

Mom, you make the fire seem like it is forever away from the house. But Alpine, Nutrioso and Greer really aren't that far away. I will keep our home and our community in my prayers. Wow, this is really weird to think that there is a fire that close to the house. It is comforting to know that it is in the Lord's hands though and whatever happens is what He allows to happen.

Your weekend in the valley sounds like it will be so much fun! I think we should definitely do another Broadway Weekend next summer when Kevin and I will both be home! :D If the weather in the valley is anything like it is starting to get here then it will be a hot, hot week in Mesa. It cools off nicely in the evenings, but boy, the middle of the afternoons are miserable! From what I hear from an Elder whose house is really close to KJ's mission, Florida and Taiwan's weather is exactly alike. Isn't it so fun to put in a hard, sweaty days work KJ?

The miracle story Sister from last week is still amazing! She has had such a sad life though and everytime we meet with her I am more and more impressed by her faith in Jesus Christ and her desire to sacrifice everything to be baptized into His church. If there is one thing I am learning it is that it doesn't matter how eloquently (or in Sis. Gandolph's and my case- uneloquently) the Gospel of Jesus Christ is delivered, it is still true and will change people's lifes.

The miracle for this letter actually happened at the end of p-day last week. Sis. Gandolph was sick with we're not sure what and was burning with a fever during a lesson. She was miserable, not able to really say much, and we had another lesson in about 30 mins. We decided to run to the chapel and pray that the Elders happened to be there and could give her a blessing. God answered our prayers and the Elders were there, gave her a quick blessing and then we were on our way. During the 1.5 hour lesson we had after that she coughed maybe once and was completely coherant. Sis. Gandolph later told me that during the lesson she told Heavenly Father that if she could just feel well during the lesson she wouldn't mind at all being sick afterward. And boy did Heavenly Father take her up on that offer. She was fine during the lesson but was actually in bed most of the next two days. Poor girl! She has such strength and truse in the Lord. I admire her so much! But back to the miracle- the Power of the Priesthood is amazing. The blessing the Elders gave her was maybe 1 min long but was able to call down the powers of heaven. I am so grateful for the Priesthood and even more grateful for worthy men that are able to bless us Sisters. Thank you to all of you men who righteously use your Priesthood power!

Kevin- congratulations on your baptism! Give that Sister a special welcome into our big, worldwide family from me. I love seeing people come into the church! Yay!

Oh! Fun story for this week happened today. Sis. Gandolph and I decided to go to a hair salon to get our hair washed. Yes, hair washed. Sis. Gandolph has done it before and was raving about it! She said the give you a nice shoulder massage, massage your head and then style your hair really pretty. Well, we did get the nice shoulder massage, and yes, the head massage was awesome. But the hair style definitely left something to be desired. I have to give the poor Taiwanese girls a break though- they have absolutely NO idea what to do with curly

hair, especially as curly as mine. I walked out of there looking like I was getting ready to go cheer at a '70's high school football game, and we're not really sure what was going on with Sis. Gandolph's hair. Yes- I took pictures that I will be attaching.

Mom, your floor looks so great! It's so dark! I love it! I bet it is so much nicer than that stinky carpet! I noticed in the picture of Kim, Sean and the girls a little dog in the background. Did you get a new dog or are you just dog-sitting? I got the Ensign this week. Thank you so so so much for sending that along with your wonderful letter. I have loved reading both. I have already started marking up the Ensign and have loved being able to share with my investigator's what I am reading. Thank you!

Kim- I want to see a picture of your little baby pooch! When do you find out if it is a boy or a girl? Or will you? Pictures!!!!

Julie and Mel- I was able to spot you two so easily

in your pictures! Look at you getting the front rows you little rockstars! It looks like you two had so much fun! I am sad I never got to do that. I think they did it the summer before we moved to RV. Pooh!