A new year, a new direction

     Good evening family and friends. Our Sabbath is winding down so it's a good time to let you know how we are doing. I know it's colder in Missouri than here but this 50 degree weather is still pretty chilly. Amy says it never has been this cold this time of year here in northern California. Oh well, grin and bear it. I know that our family and friends in Missouri and elsewhere are probably saying "Poor Baby"!
     This new year has been a good opportunity for us to go in a little different direction with the Branch here. First of all many of the members are unemployed and have been for a long time thanks to easy to access state and federal welfare programs. When anyone is in this situation for a long time the motivation to better themselves and become more independent and thus become good leaders in the church and community goes away. Don't get me wrong, they are great people but lacking in motivation. So with the help of the Branch President we picked five unemployed members of the Branch with the most potential of getting a job and thus bettering themselves in many ways. And for the next several weeks, with the Lord's help, we are doing heavy duty "one on ones" with them. Last week we took them to the wonderful job training program that Deseret Industries (a program within our Church) offers to people. D.I. helps them develop great resumes, does mock job interviews with them, gives them a big list of businesses that are hiring, shows them how to fill out applications, and requires them to "return and report" each week. Sherrie and I are meeting with these members individually twice a week to motivate, and lovingly push and prod them to do better, and to get jobs. Already we have seen their spirit and desires perk up. After a few weeks we will move on to five more people and do the same thing. Those of you that know "Drill Sergeant Sherrie" when it comes to motivating people, a lot can get done in a short time.
     All of us have felt this way, but isn't it amazing how the Lord can take all of us, regardless of our beliefs and religion affiliations and place us in situations where we can help people the most. He fine tunes us by giving us responsibilities and allows us to learn by our mistakes. By going through the ups and downs of life we become stronger and better able to respond to the needs of others around us. It was once said "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care". And it was Neal A. Maxwell that said "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability".
     We are well here, and love serving the Lord.

John