Dear family and friends, 

    Another short note about our doings. We had a nice baptism two weeks ago, that we already told you about. Anyway we scheduled their confirmation last week and really began to worry when the Sacrament had been passed and they hadn't shown up. After the first speaker (Elder Meline), one came in, then another, but Raymir, never did. I went to pick him up but he wasn't home. We got two confirmed anyway, but whether they remain active is anyone's guess. Timothy is fighting with his wife and she wants to divorce him, and Leon is still on probation from his prison term, but since we got permission from the First Presidency, he can get the Aaronic Priesthood, and go to the Temple for Baptisms for the dead. I think he will be a good member, but has a long way to go to understand the gospel. 

   We don't see the other Sr. Couples very often, so last week we all got together and went to Gettysburg overnight. We had two new couples who had come in, but the one couple was so swamped with their work at the mission office, they didn't go. Three couples have gone home, and one is leaving this week, so we got to see them. There are three new couples coming in the next few months but we will still be short until they open up the site where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized and the new visitor center is finished. 

  We had the street blocked in front of our Church all day. Someone said there was a shooting and a robbery, but I haven't heard the details. We just continue taking the Elders to their appointments, taking the members to their doctors appointments, shopping or whatever, holding bible study on Tues, and activity night on Fridays. And then our services on Sunday, hoping we can get enough there for our block meetings. Thank the Lord for our missionaries, who teach classes and speak in Sacrament meeting. I hope our little branch survives since people move out as soon as they can. Nobody likes living in this area, and those who stay are only here because they have nowhere else to go. 

  Once again, we got permission to go to Illinois for our Grandaughter's baptism this weekend. Our Mission President lets us do this type of thing which we really appreciate and gives us a little break, then we are renewed to continue on with our work. We are blessed to have two new missionaries in our area. One, Elder Milligan is an African American from Louisiana. He is so funny. A convert to the church and has a strong testimony. He tells of his past life, which was very sad, and of his conversion from the Baptist Church. He is wonderful in explaining the truths of the gospel when we meet people who say they are content in their own church and won't leave. Our branch clerk is a strong member who comes in from another ward as a Stake Missionary to help us out each Sunday. He has been a bishop, a high counselor etc, and really helps us run the branch. Without him and his wife who teaches Sunday school, our branch couldn't function. 

   Last night in Bible Study we studied the Gospels in the New Testament.  Elder Milligan bore his testimony and showed a short video on the miracles the Savior did during His ministry on earth.  I had the most wonderful, peaceful feeling come over me. I knew Heavenly Father was mindful of Karl and I. We have been worried that we've done no good back here, we just help with problems and make very tiny baby steps, which they too can blow up in our face. Anyway, I felt so much better when it was confirmed to us that some days we really help these wonderful people. They all have so many struggles, our lives have been so easy compared to these special Saints.  We are constantly praying for more understanding, more compassion and more patients with each one of them!

   We love you family and friends so much. Thank you for all your prayers and 

e-mails, they truly keep us going.

         THE ARMSTRONG'S IN PHILLY    

Philly Times

Hi wonderful Family and Friends,

   Another new week, they just keep coming and getting better.  Our little branch had a miracle happen yesterday.  We had three baptisms, and what a thrill, especially for Elder Seeley who goes home tomorrow.

  LEON MOBLEY

  TIMOTHY HATCHET

  RAMIR WILLIAMS. He is nine, the others older.  Ramir is Rosina's Grandson, we've written about him many times.  A bright little guy with a ton of hang ups he has had to cope with all his life.  He was so excited, he got out of the fount and when asked how he felt about being baptized he said, "Well my foot didn't come out of the water".  We went and got him new clothes (the Sunday dress outfit) and he said, "now I look like a missionary".  We so hope all three of these people can hang on and embrace the gospel, it would improve their lives so very much.

   That is our biggest fear, that this entire branch is going to sometime get lost in the shuffle.  Many of them just hang on with a thread. This mission, as yet, doesn't have anyone (Senior Couple) to take our place.  Not that we do so many wonderful things, but they just need extra love and care. Not anyone in the branch, only a very small handful, can offer that, they need that love and care themselves.   

   How on earth does Heavenly Father keep track and bless everyone? His job seems so over whelming to me. If we have three a day that needs a lot of extra attention and help we come home exhausted.

  ELDER ARMSTRONG'S TURN: It amazes me the support that the church gives its people. Our small branch gets thousands of dollars of aid each week for rent, food, utilities, etc. and when we see some come to church, we know the purpose, they are in need of assistance. Every other week or more often, we drive to New Jersey to the Bishops storehouse for food orders and the like, but I now have a new friend, Richard, who is a disabled vet, and is bi-polar, and was very negative about the church, rides down with me and helps me deliver the food. We even got him to speak in Church last Sunday to our amazement. We love our little branch however, and really enjoy working with the missionaries who really put in a great effort in the work. 

     Our mission will be closing down eight apartments soon, since more are leaving than are coming. Three new Sr. Couples will soon be called to work at the Susquehanna site however, where Joseph Smith was  Baptized.  Elder Russell Nelson will dedicate the site this fall. They are building a new visitor center and it will be a choice church history site to see. 

   Anyway, all is great, the Temple is moving ahead and drawing a lot of interest, I only wish we could see it dedicated before we leave, but who knows, maybe we can come back!

   Spring has sprung, the weather is great, and all is well. Love ya all. 

Ramir's baptism

Frankford Times Episode 200

Dear Family & Friends,

   Elder Armstrong is acting weird again but he is not far from wrong about the episode number, it was more like 200 last week.  We keep putting out a lot of fires, and a lot of wonderful things happen as well.

   We missed last weeks news because we flew to Utah. Karl's sister, in St. George, passed away after 5 long years of Cancer.  She has been so courageous all this time. We just had to go out for the service or Karl would have never forgiven himself.  It started as ovarian cancer and after the five years it had spread everywhere in her body.  Her services were so comforting and peaceful. She really was a wonderful lady.  While out there, we of course, had to visit with the family. We stayed one night with John and another with Alisa.  Boy, how all the grand kids have grown up. We also were there for Ethan receiving the priesthood. All were taller and oh so wonderful to see at least two families. 

  Nothing slowed down back here in Frankford while we were gone. In fact, they multiplied, so we got right back into the swing of life back here in Philly!

   Our plane flight was canceled because of the weather. We flew out the next morning and got here in Philly with everything canceled for planes coming in that entire day. Heavenly Father knew we needed to get back to work!  We are glad to be back.

   While we were gone Rosina had to go back to the hospital. She called us in Utah and wanted us there, but her niece took her and all worked out good.  We worry so about Rosina, she is getting more frail all the time.

   Our great news is that we have 4 baptisms this coming Sun.  Two young boys age 9 and two other men.  Yeah, we will have more Priesthood  in our branch.  Let's pray they keep coming. The first four that were baptized when we first got here never come out to church.  We still meet with them but they don't see the need to attend church. We are going out today to buy Raymir clothes so he can look like a Mormon (so he says).  He is the sweet little boy that we had the Christmas Tree experience with. He has had such a rough life, the only person that cares about him is his Grandma.  Thank goodness she loves him!  He has been abused by his mother all his nine years. The gospel will help him so much! He comes to Primary and gets to associate with the few kids we have there.

   We had a going away party for Sabrina Blake at our house Sat.  She tried to get into the BYU but wasn't accepted, so what do we know next, she has up and joined the Navy and signed up for 8 years.  She has been a real blessing to our branch. We will miss her and definitely miss her help.  

     The heavy snow storm really slowed things down for two days. This was the biggest storm we have seen while we've been back here.  The schools were closed for two days and so was most of the city.

   Karl is in charge of getting all the talks for Sacrament meeting.  Sabrina, who is leaving, was assigned to talk last Sun. she came but  left crying.  It always leaves Karl in the lurch, he always carries talks in his briefcase to give out or give himself.

  We got to the Jordan River Temple twice while in Utah.  It was so wonderful to get to go. We have only been to the Washington DC Temple two times while out here. We have another date for our branch the first of May.

   My sister, Mary Louise, is having back surgery on Wed. She had neck surgery two weeks ago, and this new surgery is a lot more serious. It is in her middle back. The Dr. says she can recover from both of them at the same time.  This is about her sixth surgery on her back.  I wish so bad that I were there to help her. Our faith and prayers are with them- please include her in your prayers as well.  If you would like to join our fast it will be on Tues.  We love you Mary Louise and know it will go well and help you a lot!

   Hope all of you are well. We know that you are busy, life seems to keep everyone going all the time.  Thank goodness we have health enough to try to keep up the pace.

   We send all our love and prayers your way. If we have our religion, our health and families we have everything. This week we will all count our blessings, they are many for each of us!

                                Love and miss you all,  Elder & Sister Armstrong

                                                                      Mom & Dad

                                                                      Grandma & Grandpa

                                                                       Karl & Joyce