Hello Friends and Family!
I only have 30 minutes total to use the computer so this is going to have to be quick!
The MTC is wonderful! The Spirit here is SO powerful, and you can really feel the love of the Savior and all of His missionaries here. It's been very challenging for me, but I can already see the blessings pouring in! It's been tough to adapt to the big change in my sleeping schedule: getting up at 6:30 and going to bed at 10:30?! Are they crazy?! Haha actually this sleeping pattern has helped me to feel better already. We are SO busy here. The 16 awake-hours we have are almost all used to study, train, teach, study, train, teach. It has been wonderful, but I never realized how tiring it can be to sit on your duff for so long. It has been so awesome to see my testimony already beginning to expand and it's been a blast teaching (fake) investigators. I love teaching!
My companion. Elder Fuhriman is such a great guy. He is from Phoenix, AZ. I can already see how his mission is changing him, and it's wonderful to watch these changes take place. I am determined to do my very best to keep all of the mission rules and I have already seen the blessings begin to rain down because of my obedience. It's sad to see the elders who decide not to obey, and I have been praying that they, too, will begin to follow the Lord's mission rules and reap the blessings that are sure to follow.
It's been really fun to sing with the MTC choir. I met Dad's friends, Bro. Eggett and Bro. Brenchley. Bro. Brenchley, who I guess is Christa's Stake president, says that Dad is one of the finest men he knows and is really excited to meet with Christa concerning her own mission application. In the choir, we sang "Come, Come, Ye Saints". It was really awesome singing with so many people, and our directors taught us that this song can not only be applied to the Pioneers, but to missionaries, as well. I had never thought about that before, and it makes the message of this hymn even more powerful.
Injury Report (for Mom):
- Huge bruise from a knee to the quad from basketball in the gym.
- Semi-dislocated shoulder from basketball in the gym.
- Jammed finger from basketball in the gym.
During gym time, we've been playing basketball together as a district. My leg is already almost completely better, and my dislocated shoulder is the same one that already was dislocated, so it's not that big of a deal. My finger is swollen and purple, but the nurse gave me a splint and said that it's (probably) not even fractured. My knee problems so far have not changed much, but one miraculous thing that I have discovered is that I actually get complete relief from pain as I teach the gospel! There's another incentive to keep teaching, I guess!
I hope you know that I have been praying for all of you. I love you all so much! I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that His gospel blesses individuals and families. I testify that Jesus Christ freely suffered for us, performing the Atonement, so that we could be forgiven from our sins and overcome pain, temptations, and sorrows. I know that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God, that He restored Christ's original Church in these days, and that, through the power of God, he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that that book is true! It has changed my life, and I know with a surety that it has the power to change yours.
Please keep me in your prayers! I can definitely use them.
I would love to hear from you! You can write me a letter at:
Elder Kenneth Stephen Schank
MTC Mailbox #255
NC-RAL 0808
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
This is my mailing address until August 8th, when I leave for Raleigh. My North Carolina address is on my Facebook page. If you don't have facebook, just ask my mom for it (she's the one who forwarded this email to you. :) ) You can also contact me through dearelder.com. I'm sure it's really easy to use because my Mom was able to use it. (Love you Mom!)
I hope things are going well and that I get to hear from you soon!
With love,
Elder Schank
