Ups and Downs

Hey Family!

I hope everyone has had a great week. My week has been full of ups and downs. We got Pam and Eric's wedding all planned and situated and it was going to take place on the 10th and the baptism would follow right after. There is a rule that people need to make it to church at least 3 times before being baptized and they missed yesterday due to having sick grand kids to take care of and some out of the ordinary things happening at the hotel they run. Now that screws up what we had planned. We got permission to do the baptism on the 11th, after church but that may not end up working out. I was so stressed out yesterday. And Pam started texting us last night saying she was so overwhelmed that she may want to postpone everything. I hope the responses we gave, gave her some solace. But at this point I think postponing it a couple of weeks wouldn't be a bad idea.

So I was trying to deal with that and on top of all of that, I am super stressed out with Elder Scarpa, because he has been out for 7 months and still doesn't know the lessons. He didn't even know what the scripture reference was for the scripture that Joseph Smith read to inspire him to pray in the Grove. I had a nice chat with him about how he needs to know these things and to start studying PMG, which he never studies.

And on top of that... I had my driving privileges taken away. For 3 months. You know that new rule I was talking about? Yeah we had to go to Neola (54 mile round trip) on the last day until the miles would start over. We ended up going 3 miles over what we were supposed to. 3 miles! BUT... Come to find out yesterday I felt that I should look at the mile log again and recheck the math... The math was done wrong. We added on an extra day to our total miles. We actually went 49 miles under our allotment. So if there is any justice in this mission I will get my privileges back soon. I already informed the Zone Leaders yesterday so hopefully stuff is already happening.

Oh and we went to Neola to teach Christian and Aaliya, both of which would have been baptized on May 17th (we set them for that) but they didn't make it to church for whatever reason so that will have to be
postponed as well. But I'm sure things will work out in the end. They always do.

My faith is being tried, but I'm trying to keep a good attitude and stay calm about everything. It's hard to help other people not be stressed out about things when you're super stressed out

yourself. But I'm doing my best.

We should be going over to talk to Pam later today so hopefully we can get some things straightened out.

Oh also we will probably be Skyping from their place on the 11th. Still don't have details but it should be fairly soon after church.

Well other than that stuff it has been a fairly decent week. We had interviews with our Mission President and they were really good. I was very happy with the outcome of mine.

Well I hope everyone has a fabulous week. And thanks for that Easter package, Jenn. I think I have devoured everything in it. And Cameron is looking pretty good in his suit. ;)

Stay safe everyone. Have fun in Maryland and Virginia, Dad.
I love you guys!

Love,
Elder Ballif