Hello, friends and family!
Nothing drastic really happened this week. Actually, Elder Simmons just leaned over from his computer and said, "Hey, did we do anything exciting this week?" We both drew a blank. We need to do more exciting things. But I guess it doesn't really get more exciting than helping people change their lives so they can receive the Atonement and all its eternal blessings, right? :)
We have been teaching a great man named David, who is a friend of some of our ward members. He's a very humble country bumpkin who is completely prepared. He's been reading several chapters of the Book of Mormon between each lesson, he's read a lot of the Gospel Principles manual we use in Sunday school, he came to church about 5 times before we even started teaching him, AND he's trying to memorize all the Articles of Faith. He lost one of his legs some years ago and has a really neat prosthesis instead. His other leg was getting infected, but the infection stopped spreading after he was given a priesthood blessing. He's doing a great job and is on track for being baptized on 15 September. We are all so excited!
We also started teaching a family who are friends with a family in our ward. The parents names are Steve and Karen and they have a bunch of little kids. They're a great family. The senior missionaries in our area began teaching them and we've been asked to come in to help with the process. Steve flies with the Golden Knights and has been all over the place with the Army. In fact, while he was in Afghanistan a while ago he started learning the gospel and has been kind of investigating it for the last 10 years. He already knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet and he is doing such a great job. His wife, Karen, was a lot more reluctant at first. That is, until Elder & Sister Brown and their friends, Bro. & Sis. Hales, taught them about the Atonement. Karen said she felt a unique warmness permeate her body in a way she's never felt before. When she recognized it as the Spirit, she completely changed and now seems to be just as interested as her husband. They are working towards baptism on the 1st of September and we're excited for that date, too!
Other than that, not a whole lot of new things have developed. I guess one interesting thing is that our air conditioner went out. It's been between 84-86 degrees for the last 5 or so days. Actually, it's been more hot and humid inside our apartment than outside of it. It's made sleeping tough, but we sure are excited to get out of the apartment and get back to work! :)
Also, we found a giant moth.
I know the power of the Atonement is real and that Christ lives. All men and women can repent and be strengthened to change because of that sacrifice.
With love,
Elder Schank
