Hola  querido familia, I could send an update in spanish with half the verbs conjugated wrong and the articles wrong and who knows what all: that all my emails go out with here. They are a patient forgiving people and then it gives them courage to practice their english. July flew by with many wonderful opportunities to serve. We just finished our Pathway semester with all our students doing very well. We have loved attending the 11/2 hour gathering each week with them as they take turns teaching wonderful life skill spiritual principles. As always the teachers or missionaries have learned the most from them. Wonderful latter day saints working hard to better themselves and seek first the kingdom of God.

Sunday at church we were excited because  one of our less active families let their kids  go to church with us again and they love primary and Young mens. We met with them again this week with the missionaries trying to help the dad commit to baptism. They have found a local store to rent to sell their clothes so they dont have to go to the bazaars in the parks on saturday and sundays to sell and they can start going to church,soon. They are coming over for dinner friday for the dads birthday. 

Also sunday Don was asked if he could follow up with a request from a ward member, He talked to Teresa at church and she said she had talked to a man on the train that was bringing his child for surgery here and he was very interested in having someone come by and give a blessing; and he gave her his cell number. Don called after church and got the hospital and name and room number, so after ward family home evening we drove to Moreno to the Posadas hospital. Don called the mans cell from the hospital waiting room, it was after 9pm because we had quite a drive. Palermo from Venezuela came down to meet us because his little 5 month old daughter couldn't have visitors, as she was having a very delicate surgery at 7 am the next morning. He sat down and told us his story and showed pictures of his sweet daughter and wife. They are not members of the church but love the Savior. Their little daughter Miranda was born with a genetic pancreas problem and they have had to feed her every hour so she doesn't go into convulsions. A special foundation at the childrens hospital in Philadelphia wanted to perform this delicate surgery on her pancreas and pay for everything but they couldn't get visas to the US, so the doctors  flew here from Germany and the US to perform the surgery. We shared a Book of Mormon and the proclamation on the family and answered lots of questions for him. Don explained about the Priesthood and he requested a blessing on behalf of Miranda and the doctors and his wife, so we went into the little catholic chapel in the hospital and Don gave him a beautiful blessing. When we finished we looked on the wall of the chapel and a beautiful painting of the Savior blessing the sick. It was so amazing to testify to Palermo that the same Priesthood power that the Savior  healed the sick was just exercised in blessing his family. the spirit was so strong and we knew we were right where we were supposed to be. This morning we received a text from Palermo telling us that the doctors had removed 25 tiny biopsys of Mirandas panceas and will be testing them. they are hoping in one of them will be the place that was over producing insaline. They just have to wait now for about 10 days. Please pray for Palermo, Karen and Miranda  Melenda.

We are nicknaming our car the Temple car, because we are taking lots of new converts to the temple when they find family names to do baptisms. Its uqite a long bus ride to the Temple, so its nicer and quicker for them when we invite them to go in the car. We are taking Christian this week, the boy that was baptised a few months ago when I gave him my pass along card in the subway. He struggled as an addict, and living the Restored Gospel is changing everything for him. Its sometimes so easy to take this precious healing gospel for granted until you see the difference living it makes in new converts lives. We are a most blessed people.

Grahams mission president was at the area offices today and we got to meet him, of course he remembered Elder Darby. He is now a stake patriarch here in Buenos Aires and doing a painting for one of the area presidency. He is an amazing artist.

We love getting the letters of our two special missionaries. Have they ever had learning and faith building experiences. We are so proud to be their Nan and Pop and have witnessed their obedience and turning always to the Savior in times of disappointment and discouragement. and having their testimonies fortified of the restored Gospel. The finest university in the world couldnt give them what this mission experience has, a foundation for their life and it will keep on giving forever because they were willing to faithfully give their best.

One of our favorite young adults Lis Arias is coming to BYU for English, she already has a degree in accounting. we are sure going to miss her. She has been like a grandaughter to us and helps so many new converts find names to take to the temple. when she comes I hope you will have her over to work with your kids in family search. She is great and wants to spend time with some families as she knows no one. She has an apartment at Branberry so she can walk to the language study building there in the corner of the staduim parking lot. on BYU campus. She has been working so hard on English, but needs you to talk slowly for her to understand. I surely know how she feels. I gave her all my kids phone numbers, so if you get a call after aug 12 it is her. I wish I was home to get her a phone and service, but its too hard to do it from here. I sure wish one of my kids would see what a no brainer ACN is, and help me with phone services. Why give all that risidual income to someone in the phone store. 

Gotta go ; have a meeting with the Area president to report how open chapels are going. 25913 total visitors to our events, 5176 non members came this year so far, 1233 less actives, generating 9948 refurrals for the missionaries to follow up on. We have over 140 people in 28 missions that are trained to help the missionaries and members put on these events in their wards. What a great missionary tool when the elders and sisters work together with the members to invite others to know the Savior.  Love you all , Nan and Pop   I cant believe we wont be there when Cayden and Lisel get off that plane.

Our new convert christian from my pass along card in the Subway

Don with two Brazilian missionaries at our open chapel