February 17th Email "Another Solid Week"

Well we had another great week in Folsom. We now have some really solid ward relations, and are finding people to teach. We found another person to teach named Alvin. We will have a lesson with him on Wednesday. Please pray for Alvin, as well as Joellen and Steven Veirs, that they might feel the spirit at the truthfulness of the things we teach. Those are our investigators at the moment, who we are really excited to have because this area hasnt had an investigator in months! We had a Zone Conference this week. zone conference is always one of my favorite days because we receive guidance from our leaders, and we get to see missionaries from many different zones. its fun talking with them and catching up with old friends. Fun Fact: Elder Leishman is in my zone. We had some classes in high school. there was 2 other missionaries from Alpine/Highland at the Zone conference. haha it was great.

Elder Kahne and I have a fantastic relationship, which is always important for work to get done. It is fun being with him and getting a little bit of the French life. We had a cool experience this week. a few days ago we were getting ready to leave the house and we got a call from some members saying there were people at the church who wanted to talk with missionaries. I immediately decided it was either going to be a new investigator or just someone that wanted to bash with us. When we got there we found 2 less active members from another stake that happened to be in the area and needed a blessing. One of them was a 20yr old kid who had fallen off a balcony a few weeks ago and almost died. He has been having super bad anxiety attacks ever since and has had thoughts of dying and stuff, so he wanted a blessing to help relieve the anxiety. He hasnt been to church in years, yet a blessing was the first thing he thought of. There were a few members with him that i had ever met, but their first suggestion for next time he has an anxiety attack was to say "In the name of Jesus Christ, get the hence, Satan!" Yeah... i was kinda shocked that they thought he was possessed. Maybe he was.. who knows! haha but we have him a blessing and there was a great spirit in the room after, and he said he felt comforted. It is amazing knowing that i am able to bless those who are in need at any time. 

I hope everyone had a great Valentines day! I really appreciated the package that i got! It was fun getting all the notes and food! I love you all at home. I am so grateful for all the support i have received as i have been out here in the mission field. I love being a missionary at this time. We were told at zone conference that there has been the major events in church history such as The first vision, and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. And that today, The Hastening of the Work will be an event looked at as one of those major events in church history. And i am part of it. It is amazing. Also the weather here is in the 60's which is amazing. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Love, Elder Black :)