This Atonement is Brought to You Courtesy of God's Incredible Love For Us, A New Companion and Pray for the Pug, too!

Got my new companion this week. His name is Elder (), from British Columbia, Canada. He's pretty cool, and I think we're going to have a good transfer. In fact, I know we are. In a week or so, one of our investigators, (), is getting baptized. He's 10 years old and from an active family, and the reason he hasn't been baptized is because he's has autism, and pushes away if you try and force something on him. The family has been waiting until he decided he wanted it, and a month or so ago he decided he was ready. We've been teaching him, and that's been a good experience. He understands everything we've been teaching him. So, there's that coming up, as well as, remember the () family? They're finally on date for June 21st. They all agreed that the kids are more than ready. The family is super awesome, and I'm happy for them. [The wife] has been to every lesson, and understands everything perfectly to the point where she helps us teach sometimes. . If you could pray for them, that would be great! Oh, and Toby, the family's  pug goes in for surgery in a couple weeks, so he might need some prayers, too.

So, that's what we've got going on this week. I know this work is absolutely amazing. I know the church is true, and is led by a inspired prophet of God. I know that the Atonement of Christ is real and powerful, courtesy of God's incredible love for us.

Love you all!

Elder Jake Lusk

Guess Who's Staying in Layton, It Took a Physical Therapist But We Got It Done, and The Atonement Brings Change and Healing

So, I just got transfer info. Guess who's got two thumbs and is staying here in Layton?  This will mean I'll be in this area for six months and by the time I leave, I will have seen fall, winter, spring, and summer in Layton. 

The past three Saturdays have been awesome. Remember {}? I talked about her when I first got to this area. She's the little old Asian lady with Parkinson's. She was on date for three months ago but it fell through because the family didn't want her to be baptized. Several things in the past three months have changed the situation, the biggest of which was nothing but the hand of God stepping in to soften the family's heart. About a month ago, several people decided on the best course of action and it was decided that the {}, the senior missionary couple assigned to our stake (they're awesome, by the way), should work with her, in addition with her fellowshipper from her old ward. Long story short, last Saturday, {} was baptized and the next day was confirmed a member in the small branch in the senior care home where she lives. Getting to witness her baptism, and stand in the circle for her confirmation was pretty amazing. The spirit was there like crazy. It was totally unlike any baptism I had ever seen, too. Brother {}, her fellowshipper baptized her, but he had help from a guy in our stake who's a physical therapist. The other awesome part was that her family was at the baptism, and you could tell they felt something. It was awesome to be there for that, and to see the process from start to finish. 

So...I think that's all for this week.

I know the gospel's true, and that the Lord loves us and doesn't forget about us ever. I know the power of the Atonement is real, and that it can not only cause people to change, but bring healing as well. 

Love you all!

Elder Jake Lusk

Elder () and Elder Lusk with an awesome older brother who decided he wanted to fully embrace the Gospel and then is baptizing his his twelve year old brother and then preparing for his mission to Texas soon! What a joy for Elder Lusk and his companion to have a hand in this.

Skyping Tonight with You All and We Are Saved By Grace As Long As We Put In Our Best Effort

Hey guys!

Looking forward to Skyping tonight.

Shoot me an email for questions. I should be on between 8 and 11 your time, but closer to 8.

I also figured since I'm talking to y'all tonight I'll just leave you with my testimony and a few pics.

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that God loves us to reveal this gospel and send his son to atone for us and make it possible for this gospel to work that we can return to live with him. I know that our families can be together forever through our Father's plan, again all thanks to God's love, and the atonement of His Son. Always remember that we are saved by grace, as long as we put in our best effort.

Love you all! Here's some pics... I'll explain 'em tonight!

Families Are Forever (I Witnessed It) and Why Else Would God Give Us Kittens Unless He Wanted Us to Be Happy?

Hey guys!

Yes, we'll be able to skype on Mother's Day. We're super busy on Sundays, so it'll probably be somewhere between 6 and 9 pm my time, 8 and 11 pm your time. can't wait!

We had a good week this week. The highlight was Saturday. We took the Frontrunner train down to Wood's Cross, then got a ride up to the Bountiful temple. Before serving in Layton, Elder Ogden was serving in Bountiful and had taught and baptized a 10-year-old kid who we got to watch being sealed to his parents for all of eternity. That's the first time I've been in a sealing, and it was pretty cool to watch. The spirit's amazing.

Afterwards, we went back to the family's house for lunch. That was pretty awesome, too. They had a 60-pound German Shepard puppy that was super playful and loving, but would attack it's own reflection in the floor because it thought it was another dog in it's territory. The family also had a teeny-tiny itty-bitty kitten that they just rescued. Apparently a stray cat had been hanging out their grandpa's shed, and had given birth to some kittens. She got spooked when the grandpa discovered her, and took off, leaving one of the kittens behind. This cat couldn't have been more than two weeks old and weighed less than a pound. It was so small that it fit comfortably in my companion's left hand, curled up, and fell asleep. It also had to be bottle fed every 30 minutes, so my companion and I both got to do that, which was pretty awesome. Oh, and the German Shepard loved the kitten and thought it was one of it's puppies. It's tongue was bigger than the cat, so one lick was enough to get it soaked. Man, this thing was adorable. My companion and I between the two of us took somewhere in the neighborhood of 120 pictures, and I promise I'll send some next week.

We've got a great week coming up as well. We've got someone being baptized on Saturday. It's an awesome story, so be sure to tune in next week for details. Can't wait to skype on Sunday!

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that through the power of the Atonement, we can be cleansed from our sins and be worthy to live with our families in Heaven for all eternity. I know God loves us because he's given us our families to be with forever, and let's be honest, why else would he give us little kittens if he didn't want us to be happy?

Love you all!

Elder Jake Lusk