It has been a busy busy week for us. We spent most of our time going from one appointment to the next. I anticipated a slowdown in the work as the summer came to a close but it is actually picking up. Many of the people we are going to be teaching soon are from Burma/Myanmar.There are a lot of them that want to learn more. The problem we run into with many of them is that many are interested in learning and will do most things weask them to but they are doing it only because we ask and not because they feelit is the right thing to do. Because of that we have to spend a lot of time trying to see if they are sincere in what they are saying to us, or if they are just saying it because they think it is what we want to hear. Either way, there continues to be more and more of them, and we continue to teach. We also have a couple solid people that we are teaching who both have baptismal dates, one for next month the other for October. They are progressing well and I am excited to see the growth in them as we teach and as they begin to accept the light of Christ and let it lead their lives.
                We have a baptism coming up this weekend, a family of 4 Burmese people and the daughter of a Burmese family who are members. Because this will go online where anyone can see it I am not going to give their names but you will have to ask me about them some time. I am excited to see them make this covenant with God and this next step in their lives. We feel they are finally understanding what we are teaching them, and they are progressing as we hoped they would.
                Transfer calls where Saturday and …….. Elder knight and I are staying here in Des MoinesThird together for one more transfer. After that he is going home and my mission president says he wants me to train a new missionary, so if that happens I will be here until the last week of December. I am excited to here for longer. This is a great area and I love it here. The lord is really blessing us and many people in this area. I love being a missionary. I feel few things could compare to this. I love being away from the world. I don’t have toworry about all the stupid things that are going on in the world.
                Last Monday we went to the Iowa State Fair. We saw a giant moose made out of chocolate, a giant cow made from butter, I ate 2 deep-fried Snickers a bacon wrapped corndog and a giant turkey leg. We had to where our white shirts and ties and it was alittle hot. I enjoyed it though. I got to see Paul Ryan and barely missed seeing President Obama. There were about 30 or so missionaries there so every where you went you saw white shirts and ties. It was fun to see people’sreactions.
                Other then all of that the work is moving along. I am glad to be here and to be working for the lord. I love this gospel. I know that this church is true and I am so glad to have the chance to proclaim that to the people here. Many are not interested but rarely are they offended that we try to share the joy that we find. I love you all. Thank you for all you do for me.