Best friends!!

A few months ago Elder Jones said to his youngest daughter that having a best friend and then loving him enough to want to marry him makes for a great marriage.  She proved his theory a week ago by accepting a proposal of marriage from her best friend, Patrick!  To us it seems right in every way, and we long to be there to feel the spirit of youthful happiness.  We are coming home for this event, however, so we wont miss the most important part--that Lauren and Patrick will be married in the Draper Utah Temple in June!

But not all of the fun is in Bluffdale!  Ovalle recently celebrated its l84th birthday with a large variety of events.  On the way home from church we came across this celebration.  The mayor was even there and he shook my hand!  The most fun for me, of course, was the band and the children dancing.

This band played before the Mayor came out to talk.

Then the children danced.  It was delightful!

Then there was a game for older men kind of like horseshoes but with lead cylinders (about the size of a can of soup) that they threw from a long way away to a target.  We didn't understand the rules, but it was very interesting to watch.  It is a national sport and it seems they take it quite seriously.  Pictures below.  Man in yellow throwing, then target (clay square.)

A week ago today one of the Young Singles planned a hike.  We went with them and had a great time!  We hiked to a peak across the valley from our apartment.  It was an adventure!  Along the way we stopped a few times to sing, pray, and read scriptures.

  The boy on your right in the green sweatshirt joined the church just after we got here.  The one next to him is preparing for a mission and I am teaching him piano so he can play hymns.  (At his request.)  The next one (blue adidas logo) was baptized about 4 months ago.  He is a natural leader.  The one on the far left served a mission in Lima Peru.  The one in the hat is my wonderful companion!

"The girls."  We love these young people.  They are fun, sweet, and committed.  Every minute with them is a treasure.

We have developed a plan for activating the several hundred inactive Young Single Adults in our District.  We have a YSA Council and they will be working with the full time missionaries to visit those recommended by the Branch President.  We know there are many out there waiting for a way to reconnect.  This is it!

Jamie Garcia, the man from the hardware store that is an investigator, has been coming to church and receiving the lessons.  Last week's was on the Word of Wisdom.  It will be one of his challenges, but we visited with him yesterday and he seems strong.  We keep praying for him.

I showed Daniel (at the park where I run) the pictures of our hike and he said I could send some YSAs to visit him.  Some of our beautiful girls might do the trick!  Before we knew their names I nicknamed a few of the YSA so Elder Jones knew who I meant when I referred to them. "Hotrod," "muscle shirt," and "princess" defined a few of them.  Just after I gave one the name "hotrod" he came zooming around the corner driving a beat-up red compact!

The spirit whispers and directs constantly, and we feel progress in every way.  Small miracles keep us moving forward.  Missionary work is in God's hands, and he will provide.  God bless you all.

Elder and Hermana Jones