The Barlands

I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned the Barlands. They're the family that has been coming to church the past few weeks with a member family. Well, we were finally able to meet with them this week. We sat down with them in the member family's house and chatted for a minute, then started with a prayer. Before we had time to say anything, Ann said, "So I love your church and I know that it's the one I need to be going to, what do we have to do to become members?"

So the rest of the lesson was pretty much like that. Dillon, the fourteen year old asked us "how long is it going to take before we're baptized?" and Michael, the eight year old told us all about the Iron Rod and Lehi's vision. Ann also mentioned that the Mormon channel needs to put more videos up because she's already watched them all. We taught maybe the first two points of the first lesson, and then realized that she already knows everything. We decided to move on to another lesson, but just to check, we asked her who Joseph Smith was and why he was important. Her response was, "Well, it was 1820, I think and..." It was just absoutely ridiculously awesome. It's kind of weird, because teaching the lessons is really going to be more of a formailty. Her kids will probably get a decent amount out of them. They are just such an awesome family. Dillon brought the bread for Sacrament on Sunday, He's read through most of 1 Nephi, and on Wednesday, Ann had already read up to Mosiah 9. You couldn't ask for a more prepared family than the Barlands. They should be getting baptized here in a few weeks, and we are all really excited about that. 

This week, the Elders Quorum went out and visited with a bunch of less actives. We got to go on for real splits for the first time in forever! I went out and visited this woman who hasn't been to church in a really long time, but was very very nice. We're excited to be working with the members more, they make such a huge difference. 

On Saturday, we helped a less active sister (who's been coming to church!) move some of her furniture to her friend's apartment. Her home teacher was over there helping too, he brought the truck. An ice cream truck. Okay, so it was a frozen yogurt truck, but the same thing basically. He owns a frozen yogurt place here in town and so we got to ride in the back of the truck! It was quite fun. On the way over there I got to sit in a nice comfy armchair. Elder Reese had to stand, but he said that he's used to riding the subways so it wasn't too bad haha. 

I'm having a ton of fun out here, and I can't believe that transfer calls are this Saturday. Six weeks goes by so fast, even though that first week seemed like forever. Just in case, don't send anything to the Bentonville address after Thursday or so just to be sure. Odds are that I will be staying though. 

Love you guys, hope you're doing well! I miss you all a ton and all that jazz!

Love, 

Elder Christopher Drake