Dear Family and Friends,

Alright, next week is transfers. Chances are I will still be in Newburgh so I'll be here for about 5 more weeks.

Good luck family with all the music stuff going on. I remember those days for running from one thing to another. I still have those days except it doesn't involve music. Sort of funny thing, I had a random dream the day you told me Nathan was going to start his papers that he was going to Brazil. I thought it was a funny thought to see Nathan speaking Portuguese. Oh well. Good luck.

Alright, I've got to tell you about Monday....well....first. Wednesday after P-Day, me and President _____ went on a split and gave two blessings at the hospital. The first one was for a lady in the Branch who had back surgery and was still recuperating. It was funny because her husband isn't a member and he is also the person who helped clean out our apartment. When he saw our concecrated oil he asked about it. We explained a little about what it was and a little about the priesthood and he seemed a little interested. Then he paused a little then said...."Pues...es como salvacion en un botalla." (so....it's bottled salvation..) The next blessing was for one of President _______'s neighbors who isn't a member. I can honestly say that the blessing we did there was one of the most powerful blessings I've heard. Not because of the words spoken but because of the spirit that entered the room. Even above the noisy nurses and T.V. playing Family Guy, the spirit entered and pierced every person there and everyone had tears in their eyes. (except me...I never cry....usually....) it was amazing. The love of the Lord is really indescribable. Just saying "he loves us" doesn't do justice.

Thursday was normal. Just talking to people and finding our Branch.

Friday Me and My comp along with President ______ again got to Dedicate a house and give an entire family blessings. The Mum and Dad aren't married and they have 3 kids. 1 boy and two little girls. The reason they wanted us to give them blessings was because a lot of bad things had been happening to them recently and she just wanted comfort because she was scared. (I mean...it's Newburgh...I'm scared just walking down the street). Her Son had also been jumped. He's Ok and was able to come to church. He's really a cool kid. He's one of those kids that may have had a rough past but he doesn't care and he's pushing for a good future. That was really special also.

 

Sunday was awesome because we had 68 people in church. That's more than me OR my comp have seen since being in the area. People are finally coming to Church!!!

Alright...Monday. There is a Family we've been working with a lot. I've talked a little about them but for the sake of the story I will start at the beginning. The mum is a member but the father isn't. There are 3 kids (that I know of) living with them. The oldest daughter in on a mission right now in Russia and the younger of the two brothers is Baptized. The oldest son wanted to but apparently was forbidden to do so by his father. Me and ______ always tried to visit but the mum was never home so sharing a message was really difficult. So me and Satchwell decided we would help the dad out. He just started talking to him and being his friend. We would try really hard to link things to the Gospel but...no dice.... This all started last October when I got here.

Now fast forward to Monday. This man who was never interested in the Church. Who often said "I believe what I do and it works for me" several times. This man who I didn't think would ever listen to our messages has decided to listen to us! Not only that but he kept asking us questions about Baptism and what else we believe. When he listens he respects us for what we say and he thinks about it. This man's heart is being softened right before my eyes and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Could he be baptized while I'm still here? I don't know. I hope so. I would love to see him get baptized. It's amazing. I can't really relay my excitement about it all. So I will proceed to show my happiness in Exclamation marks and smiley faces. !!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :D :D !!!!!!!

Alright. That's most of the week. Next week is transfers so I might have a new companion.

Thanks for everything. I have you all in my prayers. Especially my Brothers who are about to perform for everything that has to do with musical stuff. Also my brothers in the mission field.

Love you all,

Elder Jeremy Sherman