From August 27, 2012: 23 Months!; Becoming More Steadfast

This week we have been working to improve ourselves and the area. While
we are working hard and being obedient, we have not had much success
for several weeks and I wonder if I'm missing some magic answer as I
feel that if I was doing that "one thing", things would be a lot
better. Elder Bladen's back issues do interfere, but I can't blame on
that at all.
 We have taught a few good people this week. Jonathan was very
receptive this week and we reviewed what he had read of the plan of
salvation. He is well versed in scripture and we gave all of our
teaching from that. This week has been good with being able to see the
growth I have with the knowledge of my scriptures which is really
nice. KB (Akos) was also able to meet with us. She is smart, and like
Jonathan, wants to know the truth. We also happened to teach some senior
Jehovah's Witnesses (they live in a church sponsored mission home).
Elder Bladen and I were able to keep the lesson under control by
answering from the Book of Mormon and base this knowledge from reading
and praying. The spirit helped us answer their questions and it
worked.
 Friday I hit 23 months and I feel that this past few weeks I have
made a lot of growth in becoming more steadfast against temptation so
I don't backslide on the progress I have made. I think that this can
be credited with reading numerous church magazines when Elder Bladen's
back is acting up. I have more seriously taken the church leaders
as my role models and I feel that this gives me strength as I strive
to emulate their desires and actions. While things aren't carefree
with the area and it's success, I feel I know that I'm not slacking off
and while I know the missionaries directly around me can see this, I
hope that others around me are able to see me as an example.
 Saturday Elder Bladen and I had the baptism and confirmation of
Dickson Osabutay which was preformed by his father who is recently
coming out of less activity; we hope that this will strengthen the
father in addition with his new calling as a young men presidency
councilor.
 Sunday there was a party directly outside our house for a woman who
graduated from her hairdressing class. The music was started around 3
and the several concert size speakers didn't stop until 10:45 pm- it
was a great cultural experience sitting inside hearing the house
shake.