We had a family of raccoons move in next door. A mom and three little babies. They are so cute but can be very vicious. They came over to eat the shelled peanuts Stan put out for the bluejays. I took pictures of them right through our back sliding door. Martin, our Italian friend told us a story. One time he went to get in his car; on his woodpile were raccoons. He doesn't like them because last year they came at night and killed nine of his chickens. So when he saw them on the woodpile he took a stick and hit one of the little ones, not on purpose, he missed the big one. He then got in his car and drove to town. When he returned, as soon as he got out if the car, the mother raccoon jumped on his back and tried to pull off his scalp. He reached up, grabbed her and threw her on the woodpile. I laughed when he told the story because it sounded funny to me. He said it was really scary.
       We taught Cindy Young another lesson and set a baptism date. So exciting. Marlene also came over this week and said she coming to our church now. She has had two lessons and came to church twice. She is our eighty year old neighbor. Stan and I find little trinkets for her. She loves anything from Africa. I make her close her eyes and hold out her hands before I give it to her. She thinks that's fun. We are all she has..it's sad.
       Last night we took my friend Betty and our friend Jack to a temple session. After the session we went to the sealing of a young couple in our branch who have been married four years. They both had been married before. They had no family to come & support them. However, the young woman's ex husbands' parents came.
        We had a Relief Society salad extravaganza on Wed evening. We went to a cabin on the lake  which was beautiful. Everyone was supposed to bring a salad to share. Twelve people came , three of us made salads. I guess that's how it goes in this branch. Good thing the three of us all made big salads. Many went swimming in the lake, others visited and we ate. I moved the lawn chair I was sitting in out of the sun and nearly fell backwards down the stairs leading up to the cabin. Everyone thought it was funny. I was glad I didn't hurt myself.
          After District meeting on Wednesday we had a nice little meeting with our three zone leaders. We talked about the future of Hope. They said the mission president is sending them out for five weeks (every Wed ) to assess the needs and meet the members in our little branch . Last Wed we went on splits with them . This Wednesday We have made nine appointments for them and us for splits. Three of them are members and the rest are less active. After this week there is no one else to see. So I'm not sure what the plan will be. Two of our most active families are moving and last night my friend and our Relief society president said she is going to move too. That means we are loosing, a counselor in the branch presidency, the young women's president, the elders quorum president, a relief society teacher and the Relief society president all at the same time. Sigh.
           Our branch president and his wife have a fourty year old son who is in the last stages of a cancer battle. It's hard to see them worry and grieve for him. They are driving almost two hours one way to the hospital to sit with him each day and then return home to sleep in their own bed. We are praying for them. It's more than hard to loose a child.
          Stan was able to save a branch member about $200. For a lawn mower repair. She is alone now as her husband is in prison.  So he fixed the mower and then mowed her lawns. Nice guy.
         We need to start organizing for our big  community "food drive ".   It's overwhelming to think about but I'm sure the Lord will help us if we do our part.
          Oh, I'm excited , we have a young less active family in our branch with four children. The mom, Erin, expressed a great desire to learn how to can food. So Stan & I went to the thrift store and Lo and behold we found a very nice canner, a bag of bottle rings, and a pressure cooker . Now I can teach her how to can. That will be fun.
          We found out there is another "real witch " in town. She is a hairdresser and I was told not to go to her. She puts a curse on you while she cuts your hair. She especially doesn't like religious people. She is friends with the other witch and they tried to recruit my friend Betty. They have a caldrun and everything.
          Here in Hope people walk across the street all the time. They never wait or even look for cars, the just walk. There are no crosswalks either. I guess no one ever taught them to look before crossing the street. It's unbelievable.
        I have been reading the best book It's called "The Infininte Atonement."  I am stunned at what our Savior did for us individually. I have learned so much already. My new book love.
         We love being missionaries . Our call here is challenging yet faith building. We have to study and pray a lot and we are asked to do difficult things. We are having experiences we could only have here in British Columbia. The Lord knows us well. He has called us to serve here at this time. It is our constant prayer than we can accomplish what we are here to do.  I try to behave most of the time and we both wear our badges everyday as we try to be good examples for Jesus Christ. The church is true. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration. Thomas Monson is our living prophet, we need to always listen to him and obey. Our Heavenly Father is a kind and loving father who knows our name. Jesus Christ is His son and our personal Savior. He knows us individually and personally. We are so blessed to have the "good news" of the gospel in our lives. We love you all. Be missionaries wherever you are.
       Lots of love, Elder and Sister Fisher