God Told Me to Come Here, There's A Reason Why Jonathan, Logan and I Are Out Here Doing This and Don't Take it From the Punks

Hey guys!

 We had a pretty good week this week. Now that's it's warm, there's a lot more people out, and way more opportunities to street contact, which is awesome. We contacted into this guy the other day and found out he was from Georgia. We asked what brought him here to Utah, and he laughed and was like, "well, I had a dream the other night and God told me to come here, so I did. I got here a couple days ago." HECK YEAH! We got his contact info and we're going to start teaching him once we figure out if he lives in our half of the apartment complex, or the other elders' half. Good stuff.

I also don't know if I mentioned this, but we had another miracle with the {} family . There's some complicated stuff going on with the baptism and for various reasons they needed to do a waterside confirmation instead of getting confirmed in sacrament meeting the next day. In the past, we'd have to talk to President Hansen to get approval, but the church policy has changed, and we have to get area seventy approval. We knew it would be an uphill battle and that most likely the confirmation would have to be done on Sunday, but I told Brother {} to have faith and that it was worth a shot. I don't know what made me say that, because all evidence showed we wouldn't get approved, but we got a call a few days later saying that the area seventy had given his approval. So yeah, that's taken care of, the interview the our district leader is tonight, and then we're good to go for Saturday! I'm super stoked about this and I'll be sure to send pics.

I know that this work is amazing. There's a reason that me, and Logan, and Jonathan, and all of us are out here doing this, and it's to help share the message of God's love to us, and how that love has made it possible to the Atonement to redeem us of our sins, the gospel so we know how to live with him again, and the Restoration of said gospel in these latter days. I know that these things are true, and can promise this with all my heart. God answers prayers, and if you're in doubt, don't take it from some 19-year-old punks. Go to Him about it. I promise he'll answer you.

That's all I got this week. Hit me up with any questions. Love you all, and good luck with moving to Ashburn!

Elder Jake Lusk

Working with the Senior Missionary Couples is Awesome

So, {} got baptized, which was awesome (I'll attach a pic!). The spirit was totally there. Aside from that it was a pretty normal week. We've been going around and visiting auxiliaries and ward councils to try and find prepared people to teach, and we're getting some stuff out of that. We've also been working a lot with the senior missionary couple in our stake, the Kakazus. I can't remember if I told you about them or not, but they're awesome. They're full time proselyting missionaries, just like us, and they focus mainly on less-actives, and we work pretty closely with them. They've come to every lesson we've had with the {}, family and we correlate usually twice a week. Like I said, working with them is awesome.
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> So...That's been my week. Hit me up with any questions, as usual. I know that this Church is God's church that contains the fullness of the Gospel as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that God loves us and that the Atonement of Christ is real and powerful. Love you all!
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> Elder Jake Lusk
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Amen Brother! Ponytail, Bleached Hair, Tatoos and Can't Wait to Get Baptized

It's been a pretty good week. Good things are coming up.{} is still on date for baptism for this Saturday. We've got one more lesson, and then the interview, and he's good to go. The {} are still good for the 21st, and we're continuing to pray for them. There's also a less-active in the ward we've been working with off and on who's boyfriend just moved to Layton from Las Vegas. He's a nonmember, but aside from the {} kids is probably the most excited person I've ever met to get baptized. He's got a ponytail and bleached hair and tattoos and can't wait to be baptized and join the church. He was taught for a bit in Vegas, and already gave up his word of wisdom problems (at least we know he gave up coffee, we don't know if he smokes or drinks yet) and when we brought up that he can't be cohabitating when he gets baptized, he said he could get married next week if he had to. This guy's name is {} and he came to church with his girlfriend yesterday. He sat next to us and we helped explain what was going on. He asked if he could take the sacrament, and we told him if he felt worthy, to go for it, which made him pretty excited. He also got up and bore his testimony during testimony meeting. He said simply, "Hey, my name's {} , and I'm a child of God. I know without a doubt that God lives because God is love, and you can't mistake that feeling of love. Amen."

Amen, brother.

So, we're working with him, and he's looking to get baptized within the next month or so. It's pretty crazy, but super cool that he's this stoked for baptism.

So, that's our week. . I'd like to add my testimony to {}'s that I know that God is real and that He loves us. I know that Jesus died for us, and that's what makes the Atonement possible. The Atonement is real and it's powerful, and it's what this amazing work is all about.

Love,

Elder Jake Lusk

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!