There is a lot of things that I could tell you about this week. It has been a great week, we were busy the whole time, and had great success. Last P-day we gathered as a district and carved pumpkins. I carved an outline of the portland temple. I was going to put an outline of oregon portland mission, but lacked the skills, or tools necassary. We have it on our porch the represent who we are. I like how when we light the candle inside that there is a light coming from the temple. It is a wonderful thing.
This week has gone by so fast. This week we were able to meet with T D three times. We taught her the Gospel, read through 2 Nephi 31, and taught the Word of Wisdom. Our visit on Thursday with her was a little disappointing. She told us that she had a pack of cigarettes left, and that she was going to smoke the rest of them, and then be done. It was the I'll get in as much as I can, and then stop. That kind of attitude makes it next to impossible to quit. You can't "fill your cantene" so to speak, and expect to not be thirsty. If you give in to temptation once, it is easier to do the next time. We went over on Saturday and taught the Word of Wisdom, and told her that if she still plans on being baptized on the 3rd that she would have to quit now. We are going to have to move her date, but we are going to have her move towards that until the end, and then move it, so that she can keep the sense of urgency. She wants to be baptized so bad, but she is not quite ready.
Wednesday we were able to go out with Bishop R to a lesson with J S. She was in the hospital for an infection in a recently amputated toe. We taught a great first lesson, helped her realize that she had felt the Spirit before, and how to recognize it now. We were able to set a date with her that night for November 24, and she asked bishop to baptize her. We saw her again that friday, she told us that she had read the Book of Mormon for two hours the past couple days. She is out of the hospital now and we should be able to meet with her on Wednesday or Thursday.
We had a great lesson with H B, and less active member. We talked about repentance, and the strength that comes from the atonement. The Spirit was there so strong. We talked to him about what he could be, about the great missionary that he would be. We helped him to see his potential, and he seemed to want to be there. He commited to come to church. I wish I could say that he did, but he did not. We will see him on Thursday.
Saturday we were able to go to the Visitors Center with S and B G, and his parents, who are active members. It was a great time, full of the Spirit. We were able to talk about the great blessings of the temple, including the possibility of an eternal family. There has been a change in B over the past few weeks, and I believe that soon he will realize that he does indeed have a testimony. S is ready to be baptized, and he is almost there as well. Last night we got a call, and were asked to come over and give his father a blessing, and B was asked to stand in on the blessing, and he did so. It was a great thing to see. Such a small and simple act will make a big difference for him. I'm excited to see them continue to progress. While we were there we walked around the temple. As we looked up at the spire with the angel Moroni we saw the coolest thing. the light shining up on Moroni cast a silhouette of him onto the cloud. It was like the bat signal, but it was Moroni. It was so cool.
This week looks to be another great week. Elder C and myself are still doing great. We are having so much fun together. We are busy, working hard, and being obedient. It is great.
As I've been writing this letter I've been listening to the talks from this last general conference. Right now I am listening to Elder Hollands talk "the great commandment" It is such a great talk, and a good reminder that the most important thing for us to do is to Love Him. If we are to do that then we will keep any commandment that we are given and we will share the Gospel with everyone. Once we love Him, we cannot ever go back to what we were doing. We have to become who He wants us to be, and to be converted by having charity, and loving Him. The Spirit is great, and I love being able to feel its power and influence.
Our new bishop in springville is Bishop E, he was the elders quorum president. He will be a great bishop, and I look forward to working with him as long as I am here, which is hopefully a while more. I hope to be here for Christmas, but we'll see.
Love you,
Elder Schultz
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