Week 17: Great Falls, VA "If I've learned anything so far, it's that Heavenly Father loves His children."

Hey!!!!

First off...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY JORDAN!!!!!!!  You're so old!! 26 whole years! I hope it was a good birthday, bro!!

Now that the important thing is done... How's everyone doing?! How's summer been? Is it hot yet? It definitely is here! Humidity in the 75+% and 80+ degrees is not fun! 

It was a pretty good week! We did some service for that family were trying to teach. He needed a flower bed expanded and prepped for mulching. We got half of it done and left the other half on purpose. He was out of town when we did the first part, so were waiting for him to be back so we can work with him on it and have chance to talk to him about the church and stuff.

Other than them, we don't have any other member referals that were working with yet. But we've got some coming soon! *fingers crossed*

Earl is doing well! He's got some family names, including his wife's, to take to the temple in a few weeks! We're finishing up the new member lessons as well and he's learning and growing a lot! It's awesome to see! He's just the nicest old guy ever!

Nevin didn't come to church this week :( But we meet with her every week consistently, which is good. She said she would come to know it's true by watching the way the people are and how they live (which is funny, because how will you know if you never come to church!) I digress...

Marco came to church, but we can never meet with him becuase he literally works 10am-9pm... But were getting premission from the ZL's to stay out a little later to meet with him.

So I went on an exchange with our DL, Elder Larsen, on Wednesday. (I'll attach some pics) He's in a spanish ward, so that was interesting! We talked to tons of people, all of which I didn't understand, and he taught me how to pray in Spanish! We did language study and that's what we did!  So he made me say the prayer for like 3 lessons! They were super short, but it was pretty neat! We also ate pupusas, which are amazing! It was a pretty fantastic exchange!

So, Brother Davis, the older gentleman in our ward that called us that one night and asked about transfers, had us over for dinner on his birthday on Tuesday! He turned 89! Anyway, so we shared Helaman 10:4-5 with him and his wife. They are an amazing couple who share the gospel with everyone, and are so selfless! We read that scripture and Bro Davis was crying! He told us, "We've tried our best our whole lives to serve the Lord.....and isn't it nice!"

I love you all! I know this Gospel blesses lives! Just as Ammon says, our joy is filled when we do His work! Bringing people closer to their Savior is the work! Our family, our friends, and ourselves. Keep praying! Keep trusting! And keep loving the Lord! If I've learned anything so far, it's that Heavenly Father loves His children! He knows us, He loves us, and He wants to bless us!

My favorite conference talk has to be Safety for the Soul by Holland! He testifies so strongly of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon! Definitely listen to it sometime! He's just so strong with his words!!

"I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days." -Elder Holland

The Book of Mormon is true and I've found more and more peace and comfort from it's pages the more I read! Read it everyday! Pray about it! The peace and hope is there for those who look for it!

Love, Elder Duke