Nineteen!

 The preparation day at Mackinac Island was a little anticlimactic. It poured all day while we were there and we were soaking wet the whole day with our district. It started to become sunny about an hour and a half before we left. We made the best of it. It was honestly really fun to be with our district walking around so wet. I don't regret visiting Mackinac Island, but I doubt I would go back. 

We started on absolute fire on Tuesday. ⅚ of our lessons happened and we were finding so many people to teach. God was just handing people for us to teach. It was 85 degrees and sunny. The UV was 9! Yeah! 9 in Michigan, let's go! We were outside for a decent amount that day and we were dripping sweat. It just felt so good knowing that I did all in my power to help further God's work. This was the most successful day in the Soo and it could be the most success I have seen on my mission in one day. There is no substitute for work!

Funny story coming from Tuesday. This is another story from our inactive friend named Thomas Downey. We meet with him once or twice a week. He opens the door this time and this 80 year old man was shirtless just chilling. He said,"COME ON IN!" A couple seconds later this guy was like,"Go do the dishes and take out the trash." It wasn't a question or asked if we would, but this homie straight commanded us to. As missionaries we can't decline so we just willingly did it. He's such a funny dude. We literally can't leave because he just talks, you try to control it, but you can't. God loves Thomas Downey.

The long drives are started to take a toll on me. We had to drive 3 hours back to back days, one of them being for the District council and the following day was for interviews with President Heap. We have to fill up so much. We feel bad using so much sacred funds for gas, but that's how it be. 

One of the days this week I attempted to max out on bench press. I hit 195 so easily and then I attempted 200 and I did it solidly, but Elder Fonnesbeck touched it a little so it didn't count. Kind of lit though that I'm still getting stronger. #GymEveryday

My interview with President Heap was fire! Love that man. We had a training on Thursday morning as well. Elder Fonnesbeck and I led a training to the entire mission on making and keeping Covenants. We got to entertain them for about 15 minutes. What made it more stressful was that we presented it 30 minutes before interviews while President and Sister Heap were sitting next to us. No worries though, God got us. 

The success this week is phenomenal. God continues to place precious souls on our path. We have handed out so many copies of The Book of Mormon that were meaningful. So many new people to teach up here in the Soo. A majority of our new friends this week are from this one trailer park that's 5 minutes from our apartment. It is literally goated! We are teaching at least 8 people in this park. 

Good miracle was that our friend Dawn accepted an invitation to be baptized on July 23rd! She was found knocking on the door a little over a month ago. She is amazing. The gospel will change her life. Also cool side note. Our friend Courtney, who Elder Millward and I found door knocking 4 months ago entered the covenant path through baptism two weeks ago! Are you serious?!?!?! Ahh I love her so much. She was a young mom with 5 kiddos. There were so many miracles that occurred when we were teaching her. God is so good. 

My birthday was good! It is just different since I'm not at home so it was a little hard. I made the best of it. Our branch mission leader made us dinner and bought me a couple things which was nice of him. Nothing crazy went down. We are having a laid back day since we need it. It feels like we haven't stopped moving for the past three weeks. This is the week to catch me if you want to reach out. I love you!