FEELS LIKE FALL

What a surprise this morning to hop in the car and see that it is only 55 degrees at nearly 9 am!  So YES, it feels like Fall!  Yesterday it rained nearly all day, so that was another indicator that fall is coming--because it was a cool and not humid rain.  I loved it.  Plus, the air conditioner has not been working properly this weekend, so the cool temperature was most welcome.

The week, as usual, passed quickly with mostly normal occurrences.  We were pleased to have Elder Wilfred Andersen and his wife arrive for the Mission Tour.  They arrived Wednesday night and spent 3 full days with us.  They are a very nice couple.  They have most recently been area supervisors for the South East part of North America.  He is a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy.  It was, however, a bit confusing to have 4 Andersons/Andersens speaking at each conference.  Thursday morning they met with the office staff.  We did not know what to expect.  They simply asked us about ourselves, thanked us for serving, and instructed us to enjoy our time in this mission and to take advantage of the country and historical sites.  (And we certainly have!)  Then they spoke to the Mission Leader Council and we got the opportunity to serve them lunch.  Then they spoke to the Valley Forge East and West and Philadelphia North zones at our building.  We enjoyed their teaching.  Friday they traveled to Nazareth and then Cherry Hills and spoke and Saturday morning they traveled to Dover to speak.  Then back home...

It was our stake conference this weekend and we did so enjoy the adult session last night as well as the Sunday session.  I felt that it was one of the most inspiring conferences I have ever attended.  I am amazed at the wealth of leadership in this area.  Today we got to hear some tender talks.  One in particular was very good.  It was Bishop Ard reporting about the tragic fire that happened in his ward July 4 weekend, killing 3 small children in his congregation.  He talked about baptismal covenants and how he saw that play out in the aftermath of this tragedy.  His talk was very tender.  Last night the meeting was all about missionary work and how we could hasten the work.  I enjoyed it so much.  In the east they just simply have so many more opportunities to share the gospel because LDS members are such a minority.  And it is also very interesting because so many of the leaders are converts.  The perspective is just different--and refreshing.

We are enjoying the Wilsons, our most recent senior couple to arrive in the mission.  They live near us and love to play games, so Friday the Ballards, Wilsons and us all got together for games.  We had lots of fun.  Then last night we got together again and went to dinner before the conference meeting.  We are grateful for friends!

Tonight we are feeding the AP's.  They ask for the same menu each time they come--homemade burritos.  They do enjoy them and they do seem to be able to eat lots!