Sat 7/21/07 3:00 AM

Dear Family,
Alot has happened since my last update. We even had Jay and Kira here for awhile. It was great to be with them and show them some of the mission. They went to Bled and the church on the island in the lake with the castle on the cliff next to the one side of the lake. They went to the Postonja Caves. It is much larger than Timp Cave. Then to another Castle. They on their own went for one day and one night and the next day into Italy and did a tour of Venice. I did Assistants Planning that day. They were with us however to say good bye to Sister Renae Ashton and Sister Rodabough. These two Sisters did an amazing job of getting Family History started in this mission in all three countries. Many names have been taken to the temple because of them. We also took Jay and Kira to Zagreb for one day and a night. Then to the coastal city of Zadar where Kresimir Cosic played most of his basketball. They got to swim in the Adriatic Sea and go to church for fast and testimony meeting. We also took them to a crystal factory outside of Celje, Slovenia. They also toured Ljubljana including the castle and outdoor market in the center of the city. You can buy clothes or fruits and vegetables or souveniers at the market. We had Mission Council after they left so Roylene cooked somemore for that. I went to Maribor
and Celje to do interviews of the missionaries. While in Celje I also met in an interview with a young single male member. He had to repent of some major things and it was quite an experience. He had just returned from the Young Single Adult Conference that our mission participated in in Hungary with other missions. They had about 150 attend and we sent two couples as escorts for our YSA. He was so touched by the spirit there that he wants to change his life. He would not meet with his Branch President so I met with him. I try to get members to meet with their Priesthood Leader, but some won't work up the courage to do so. I also met with another male member there in Celje and gave him a blessing. We went to church in Varazdin Croatia on sunday the 15th July. I spoke in sacrament and then after sunday school I taught a combined session of Priesthood and Relief Society. We then traveled back home. We had Elder and Sister Blatter go with us as they finished their mission on the next day and they had already come into Ljubljana for the final dinner and departure. We had the Ferre's come in on the 16th to help Roylene prepare the dinner for the departing missionaries. With three families that came to pick up their returning missionaries we had 34 to dinner I think. Hansens were also here with Brandon and his wife Deborah. Then we sent the returning missionaries off and picked up the new ones. More interviews and signing them in. Then lunch and then dinner. The next day wednesday we had orientation and then lunch. The Assistants took my car to help get them to the train to depart to their area and when they went to start it to come back to the Mission Home it would not start. I am so blessed. They were able to get the dealer to take it and keep it for two days while I did interiews in Ljubljana and Slovene Zone Conference. It was fixed and ready just before 5pm. That was a blessing as the timing belt broke and we would have been on the road this next week. I am always blessed with car problems in a place that I can get help. Heavenly Father always takes care of me that way. Well we have a empty home for the first time in since 25 June. It feels good. Roylene and I will just do things here at home today and attend church in Ljubljana tomorrow and do letters on monday and start the weeks trip to Croatia and Serbia. Then a couple of days to get caught up with emails and laundry and the kids will be here. But then the Ferre's and Hansen's leave. What a hole that will leave as replacements won't be here. I guess we will have a mess trying to handle the office for a short time until the couple comes for the Hansens. Ferres replacement won't arrive until just before Christmas. That is a big gap. We are just dead even with baptisms for last year. I hope the missionaries can pick it up. Many are a little down right now. I am doing all that I know how to motivate and love them and fill them full of the spirit and faith and good works. I read to them Alma 26:22 which gives a formula for success as a missionary. Repentence, Faith, Good Works, Pray without ceasing = Baptisms. It is amazing to have so many promptings on what needs to be taught and focussed on. I testify that I am not capable but the Lord gets things done and progress in made. It is wonderful to see His hand in this work at every level. We love all of you and hope that you have a great week. We will.
Love Dad