One more thing....

I just wanted to tell about one of our in-actives. Her name is Kathleen Biedrzycki. She was offended a few years back and hasn't been back to church since. She is a recovering alcoholic and smokes- it really smells and touches off my asthma. Anyway, she lives alone, and raises her granddaughter whose mother died of a drug overdose when she was eleven. Her house is a mess and the ceiling has caved in so that the rafters show. There is nowhere to sit, since her house is so small and cluttered. Her other daughter is also a drug addict and was kicked out of the house after she tried everything to clean her up, but to no avail. Her  mom is just waiting to hear the report that she has also died from an overdose. This same daughter came the night before and begged for money, and was given $20.00 to get her out of the house.
 Sometimes it is discouraging to see our meetings on Sunday, when we start with maybe 5 or 6, mostly leaders from other wards who are assigned to help. Seldom do the same people come two weeks in a row. We only have a few primary kids, no young people, and maybe 2 or 3 priesthood holders to come to priesthood meeting. Relief Society is a little better however, and we were pleased when a lady, Sister Horton, who Joyce and I have visited, came  out, when we picked her up, and everyone in the branch was happy to see her come back. The missionaries are working hard though. They try to visit the in-actives and teach non members. We spend most of our time taking them to their appointments, where we enjoy helping with the discussions..
 We saw the fruits of our labors last week when Linda DeSousa was baptized, but was disappointed when Shaniqua Harris fell through when we went to pick her up. I don't know what happened. Another lady, Alma is working towards baptism as well, but isn't getting much support from her family, and has only been to church once. She has had a kidney transplant, is diabetic, and can't get up in the mornings, but maybe it will work out.
 The work is slow, but is rewarding. I can't understand why people can't get a little more enthused when the true gospel can change their lives. Maybe it is because they are so poor, unemployed, and uneducated, and can't see how the gospel can improve their lives.
 It is a wonderful experience for us however, we get to teach, conduct, and spread the gospel, knowing that our efforts will pay of in the long run.