So we get the news about Richard

Well, we all knew that there was going to be some changes in the Branch because The Blairs are moving which has saddened the whole branch. We loved the Blairs but as he said God has made it very clear that it's time for them to go elsewhere. He no longer has a job at the Pyote facility but he was able to get one in Gainesville, thank goodness. We had all been vbery worried about them. Yesterday was Branch conference. Richard had an interveiw with President Witcher last week before he headed back to Artesia and Friday night Richard and Maebeth went and met with President Bell. That's always a really bad sign. I know what happens when you're leaders call the wife in. Something that is going to require sacrifice on her part also. I don't think any of you will be surprised to find out that he is now the 1st counselor in the Branch Presidency but it might surprise all of you to know that Matt was released and Greg is now the second counselor and the Young Men's president. Matt doesn't have a calling at the moment but that won't last long. Even Brother Bryer was realeased from being the Branch Clerk. That won't last either, he's too valuable to let sit idle for long. So now our Branch Clerk is Malcham Williams, his assistant is Stanley, a new member, and the executive secretarty is Brother McKenzie. It was all very interesting. We knew Brother Blair would be replaced but we had no idea that so much would change. The really funny thing though was the advice that President Witcher was giving to the wives in his talk yesterday. He said they needed to prepare themselves for less time with their husbands and I thought, goodness, if Maebeth has any less time with Richard she won't get to see him. This is actually good for them because now he won't have to go on speaking assignments for the District and will be able to be home on Sundays for a change. So I think in the long run, she gets more time. It's a blessing. We had a great conference, lot's of people including some that have not been coming like the Eatons, Sister Swan, and we had an investigator from Kermit. It was really a great conference. Lot's of wonderful talks and the spirit filled all our hearts.