A Fast Week . . .

Hello my family,

Well this has been quite the week. It went by pretty quickly, but I feel like a lot seemed to take place. On Tuesday we had a specialized training (which is basically a zone conference), and it was really good. President trained on burying our "weapons of war" like the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, and getting rid of the things that might be keeping us from being the missionaries that we can be. It was really good and seemed to motivate all of us to be better. Following the conference we went on exchanges, and Elder Moffett headed down to Gulfport and Elder Meserve came up here. We had a good time together, but absolutely everything fell though that we had planned. It was a little frustrating, but it provided plenty of opportunity to get out there and work hard together. We switched back on Wednesday evening, and Elder Moffett and I got to go visit some people. James and Melissa kept rescheduling on us, and it was hard to finally peg down a time. Fortunately they came on Sunday to church, and we didn't let them leave without them giving us a solid time that we could stop by. Ha we went over to their house last night and it went really well. They fed us dinner and we got to talk about baptism with James. The bishop feels like he could be ready now, and we agree with him. While talking to them we decided that next Sunday would be perfect. So as of right now, we're shooting for that as his date. We also had a really neat experience this week with Polly. She has been meeting with missionaries on and off for over a year now, and it has certainly been a slow process. We have discussed dropping her at times, but we always seem to want to keep working with her. Well over the last couple of weeks she has really become a lot more positive. We had a lesson with her this last week and issued the challenge to read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and she ended up doing it! She told us that she really felt the Spirit and then she ended up coming to church yesterday as well. She really enjoyed sacrament meeting but ended up leaving after that. Well fortunately we scheduled an appointment with her before she could leave as well. We went over there yesterday afternoon and began discussing the church with her. She expressed to us how much she enjoys it and how the scriptures have been helping her. Her phone went off at that point, so she walked into the other room to answer it. Elder Moffett and I looked at each other at that point, and both mouthed "we need to set a baptismal date with her". The Spirit was really strong when she came back in and we started to discuss baptism. She was a little apprehensive at first, but when we asked about July 17, she started to get really excited. She agreed to that date, and it's going to be awesome working with her on that.

We also had a good meeting with Mike this week. He and his wife Alene invited us over for dinner, and it was awesome. They're both really sharp people, and it was fun being able to talk to them. Alene isn't too interested in talking about religion, but her husband is rock-solid. Yesterday Mike got the Aaronic priesthood, and it was pretty amazing. The elders quorum and high priests have both been talking about who will get him ha but the bishop decided that he should go to high priests group.

Other then that, things are going really well. Sister Typner gave her talk yesterday and she did great. She talked about how she has gained her testimony, and the different ways that missionaries have influenced her. It was really neat to hear.

Well I hope you all have a great week! I love you guys and enjoy the start of your Idaho summer!

Elder Kade Bartschi

President’s Letter

Dear Sisters and Elders,

I love you! I love being with you. It was wonderful to be with you last week for specialized training. I feel your strong desire to plan, find, teach, and baptize. I know with all my heart that this is His work. I am absolutely certain that He is laboring with us in this vineyard at this time. Finding people that He has prepared must be a passion, a culture, and a mindset in this mission.

I want to remind you of the covenants we made as we buried those things that we need to let go. We must remember to continue to walk in the ways of the Lord and observe to keep His commandments and statutes. Success on our Mission and in life is contingent on doing the right things, in the right spirit and doing them long enough. Paul knew the secret when he said:

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9)

I pray for you. I love the feeling that comes to me as I think of you in those prayers. I feel a friendship, confidence and gratitude toward you that is strong and sweet. Thank you for your humility. Thank you for your faith. Thank you for your diligence. Thank you for your love. The work is true.

President Summerhays