Hi Mom!!!

   I'm doing great!! It sounds like you have had a busy week! I can't wait to hear about the Stake Fall Festival. Is homecoming going to be Elizabeth's first date?? Who is she going with? I'm so sorry Matt. I remembered it was your birthday last week but I forgot to tell you Happy birthday last week so Happy late birthday. Happy birthday to Brayden this week! I can't believe he will be 7. I'm so glad Mary Broadbent came to visit you. What did you talk about? Congratulations on your new calling Mom!! You are going to do a wonderful job! Isn't it amazing how the Priesthood works. God knew exactly what you needed to hear in your setting apart!! God loves us so much!!

  This week has been good! We taught Joanna this week and she told us that she has a lot of things to pray to God about. That made Sister Beus and I so happy because we don't want her to take our word for it. She told us this week that this is the best study she has done. She feels like it is the most true! She has met with a lot of people of other religions to do Bible studies. She didn't come to church but she is still wanting to meet with us. She is hesitant to come to church because she is afraid that she won't feel anything. We are just going to keep testifying of church and keep inviting her to come. On Saturday, 5 of the Africans that the Elders are teaching, got baptized. It was amazing!! They were so happy! I'll send you a picture of them. I talked to Norbert, one of them that got baptized, on Sunday after he was confirmed and he said that he has felt so much joy since he went down in the water and he wants to feel that joy forever!! Maisha and Aziza are married and the rest of them are just friends. President Hawkes, from the mission presidency was here for it. We had about 50 people come to the baptism! The ward has been a huge support when it comes to missionary work!

  We were able to help a few people move this week. Our ward mission leader is moving out to one of the winter rentals on the beach in Scarborough so he'll still be in our ward...thank goodness!! We also helped a lady clean out her apartment this week. It was so nice to be able to do service. The people here love to be able to help people but they don't like getting help from other people. Our leaves haven't changed yet. I'll send you pictures when they do. It will be gorgeous. We don't move into our apartment until next Monday so you can send your letter to the address that you have for me right now.

Our new apartment address is 15 A Pearl Street

                                                  Scarborough, ME 04074

This week I have been studying hope. What is hope?? When I think of hope I think of trust. In True to the Faith it says that in the gospel sense, hope is sure, unwavering, and active. I love that!! Our hope isn't just wishing something will happen but that we are sure it will happen. I love 1 Peter 3:15! It says, "But ^asanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give ^ban answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the ^chope that is in you with^dmeekness and ^efear:"  In that scripture we could substitute unwavering for hope. We must be ready to answer to people why we are unwavering in the things we do! Hope is unshaken!! How can we develop hope? What are some things we can hope for? In Moroni 7:41 we are told we can hope for the Atonement, the resurrection, and eternal life. That is why we live, right?? To one day gain eternal life! We are so blessed!! I love the Gospel!! We can do all things with Christ! I love you! Have a great week!

  Love,

    Sister Griffin