WEEK 4 KALKASKA (WEEK 22 OF MISSION)

hey everyone!! wow what a great week! soo many miracles!! where to begin...

well This week we got a call from President Hess while we were in a lesson. We called him back and he had a referral for us. (WAY RARE). but he said there was a family in our area that wanted to be baptized. so we called them up and left a message. they called back and were so excited to hear from us. we set up and appointment and went over saturday night. Carl and Dana just got married 5 years ago. they are probably in their 60's. Dana has a 19 year old daughter named deborah who is somewhat interested as well. Carl has had contact with members of the church his whole life, and they recently went on a Salt Lake Temple tour and everything. they really love utah and mormons. they ran in to missionaries in Salinas California (where justin sanders was serving at the time) and they wanted to meet with them in michigan. so we ended up with the referral. they had some great questions, we answered them, and they came to church the next day!! and dana and deborah bore testimonies in sacrament meeting!! what?? haha it was NUTS!! 

Carla is also doing very well. she found her own ride to church this weekend and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. she is so bright and so knowledgeable and is just an awesome lady. we are teaching her the word of wisdom this week, and going to ask her to quit smoking. but i think her testimony is deep enough that she will be fine! 

Bob Smith also came to church this week for the 2nd time in a row. he has been taught by missionaries for over a year now, and this was his 2nd time ever coming to church! he loves it as well and things are just going amazing here. this branch is full of wonderful people who want to help us and move the missionary work along in this area. 

This is an annual bike ride called,
"Iceman Cometh Challenge"
that starts just outside their apartment and
goes to Traverse City (30 miles or so)
It is a HUGE deal but Parker said he didn't know
why anyone would want to do it! haha

as for the ipads and things. each missionary is supposed to be getting their own ipad mini by mid january or earlier. no more planners. no more area books. it is going to be AMAZING. i cannot even begin to describe how cool they are haha they will have everything the church has ever published on them. missionary work is about to go viral. haha get it? i thought it was a decent joke... anyways...

we also had a halloween lunch provided by the shafers. it was delicious and wayy cool!! pictures will be included. ps halloween is a terrible day to be a missionary haha you cant do much cuz everyone else in the world is door knocking for that day haha.

Can you believe how cool all this is?!?

we were lucky enough to pick up some new investigators this week as well. things are going so well here in kalkaska. but i will be in cadillac on trade offs most of the week... still excited for it though. 

knowing what we know in the church, being a part of the Lord's Kingdom once established on the earth, and knowing that we can live together eternally as families, i feel this scripture is very applicable: 

Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

we have been so blessed to know what we know. when people ask how your weekend was, tell them about it, and dont forget to mention church!! tell them how great it was and invite them to go with you next week! (Now no one's gonna ask me how my weekend went! haha)

president packer has said before (definitely paraphrasing here) "if all you know is what you have learned through your natural senses, you dont know very much." the things we know through the Spirit, the pure intelligence God can give us if we but ask can grant us knowledge so much grander than what we gain by seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or touching. 

love you all! have a great week!