I don't know how closely you've been following Hurricane Sandy, but it's a tropical storm coming up the coastline that is supposed to collide with another front right over New York State. They have already shut down all transportation in NYC. We don't really know for sure how far west it will come, but it could go out as far as Columbus, OH. So President Christianson wanted us all to email our families to let you know that we are safe (they are already getting phone calls from worried moms). We are going straight home from here and will probably stay there until Wednesday late morning. I haven't been able to watch the news, obviously, so all I'm getting of this is word-of-mouth, but I guess better safe than sorry.
The week has been fabulous. Melissa and Patrick came to a baptism that the YSA branch had Saturday, and they were really touched. Both they and Scott actually live in the Buffalo ward, so we had to see if we could transition them this week (we were so sad!) Melissa and Patrick said they will try attending the other ward, but we are going to keep teaching them for the next couple of weeks until then (this coming weekend is stake conference), and Scott said he preferred to stay in this ward at least until he is more sure about being baptized. So we still get to teach him too. :) The Primary program was Sunday and it was excellent. :) I love hearing pure and simple truth from the mouth of babes. They bring the Spirit so strongly! Michael said he'd come to a fireside with us yesterday, but ended up having to take his dad to the hospital... we're sad he missed it, but excited he had a desire to come! (He takes his mom to Catholic mass every Sunday at the same time as our church...)
Our ward is so awesome at missionary work. We've been working with ward members a lot more recently and a few have friends they want us to meet this week. :) We had our ward Halloween party Saturday night, and it was AWESOME. I met probably 12-15 nonmembers and less-active members I'd never met before, and was able to introduce a few who are usually hit-and-miss to Sister McManama. About half a dozen families brought nonmember friends to introduce to the missionaries. That party was probably the busiest 2 hours of my week! We have a lot of ward members to follow up with now. :) Working closely with ward members really is the key! President Christianson actually told us recently he wants us to pretty much phase out tracting and spend as much time as possible working with members and less-actives. We are seeing lots of success as we work to do so.
We also had a great training meeting with Buffalo & Rochester zones last week. President Christianson gave an AWESOME training on the gathering of the House of Israel, and our role as children of Abraham. Each of us who have joined in the Abrahamic Covenant have a joint responsibility to gather in Israel's descendants, those with "believing blood." It really changed my perspective on what it means to find "them that will receive you" (D&C 42:8). He's also talked a lot lately about D&C 88:73 in connection with the recent missionary announcement. "Behold, I will hasten my work in it's time." It is so exciting to be a part of God's work in this time when his gospel is spreading with more urgency than ever before. I am grateful every day for the honor and privilege to be a part of it.
I love you all, and pray for you many times each day. Thanks for all of your love and prayers.
XOXO/ Sister Schank
