We have had a wild week. But 1st I need to tell you about the baptism we had last Saturday night. It was a guy about 40 (although he looks younger) and he is really sharp looking. Looks like a future bishop, as compared to many of the converts around here who are a little different. The bishop calls this a ward of misfits and some of them truly are. Anyway this Rxxk was getting baptized against his wife's wishes. While we were having his baptism, his wife and daughter were at a prayer meeting with people of another church praying that he wouldn't get baptized. But he did and now we are all praying that his family's heart will soften. Hopefully he is strong enough to stay active inspite of the opposition he is getting at home.
Monday we spent the day in Cleveland at the mission home with the President, his wife and 5 other senior couples. Great day.
Tuesday we spent 7 hours taking a sister from the ward to a doctor appointment in Mentor. Not such a great day. This lady talked to us for 3 hours about herself and never asked us one question about ourselves, not even 'so where are you from'.
Wed was spent in Youngstown with the missionaries for Zone Conference. Love these young Elders and Sisters. Good day inspite of a foot problem I am having and being in a lot of pain.
Thurs we spent 11 hours with another inactive sister from the ward and her daughter, taking the daughter to the Dr. and then the hospital. But she got the help she needed and was better by time we returned them home.
Friday we went to Sister Bxxxxn's house, she is active, and she went around with us to meet some of the people in her area. Her husband is not a member and her kids are pretty much inactive but she is a wonderful woman who loves to serve the missionaries. We had dinner at her house before returning home. They served strombolie, do you know what that is?
Saturday we were at the church from 11am to 10:30 at night watching conference. Not very many there as most can get it in their homes now but we had a good time. We don't have TV or internet in our apartment so we needed to be at the church. We will be going back in again today at 11. It starts at 12 here because of the time difference.
The weather is warming up a little and the trees are starting to bud. I am excited to see this place with all the trees green. The grass is green already. The sap is running and you see a lot of maple trees with buckets on them, or some people run tubing from tree to tree and then to a bucket.
We love Jefferson. It is a town of about 3500, very quiet and friendly. There are 2 grocery stores and more shopping than Green River has. Also has a small rec center where we go to exercise when we can. It has more red lights than Green River also, definitely more than it needs. Lots of time you will be sitting at a red light with no other cars in sight. We are becoming more familiar with the town and the area and can get around some without the GPS.
A lot of the people here are in very poor health or have lots of problems. Some of it is due to working in the factories around here and poor life styles. The recession hit this area hard and it has really gone down hill from what it was. They have a big mall in Ashtabula that is 80% empty now. Only KMart and JC Pennys are left with a couple other stores. They do have a JoAnn's Fabrics also. There is a WalMart and it is always busy. Most of the people do their shopping there.
Hope all is going well with everyone. Write when you can, or call or text. We miss home but are enjoying it here more every day.
Love,
Elder and Sister Banks
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