First of all, I don't know if I mentioned this in last week's email, but I tried the World's Hottest Hot Sauce, called 'Da Bomb, last week... It was probably the worst 10 minutes of my life... But hey, now I can say it. And yes, it is credible because Guinnes said that it was... ;) That's enough for me.
We had Zone Conference on Tuesday! That was actually really sweet though - I loved it! We got to hear some great words from Hermana Cutler, President Cutler, the Assistants (Elder Loertscher and Elder Thoreson), as well as some members of the Stake Presidency and other people. We talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon has played a role in our conversion, as well as how we need to work with the members more. Also, I was able to take part in a musical number with some sisters and Elder Kanahele (one of our Zone Leaders). We sang "More Holiness Give Me," and I think it sounded okay... We only rehearsed for maybe 5 minutes... :P I also loved learning in that setting, and getting to know a whole bunch of new missionaries. Because I'm new, I don't really know many people, but that presented me with the opportunity to get to know more people! It was really great!
Later that day, we had a dinner appointment that we shared with the English Elders (Thompson and Campbell), and at the end of that, I was able to share my thoughts on what we had learned at Zone Conference as our Spiritual thought. I shared how the Book of Mormon has strengthened my conversion, for surely it has. I would not be here right now if it was not for the Book of Mormon. Put simply and bluntly, that is it.
And on Wednesday, we had a bunch of appointments set up with Gustavo and Juan y Francisco and some more all in the same area, which lined up really well, but when we went to the houses of all of our potential investigators and investigators, nobody was home! We continued knocking on doors to pass the time, and actually ended up wandering pretty far - farther than I'd ever been in that area - and taught a whole bunch of lessons. Our usual for a good day is 2 lessons taught. However, by the end of Wednesday, we had taught 5 lesssons, which was half of our weekly goal all done in one day! One woman who let us in told us about how she had prayed the night before for somebody to come and talk to her, to help her find a direction in her life, and she told us that she thinks that we were the answer to that prayer. It is incredible to see the hand of the Spirit in people's lives, and in our lives.
We also got chased by a dog today! There was this dog walking down a bike trail on its own, so we thought we'd be good scouts and "Do a good turn daily," but this little dog kept on growling as we got closer. Elder Shipp took a picture when we were close enough, and then made a sudden movement that pretty much made the dog start chasing him. It ran right past me and chased him for a good 50 yards. Then later, it chased me, too... Cross that one off of the list!
Thursday was basically the same story with all of our potentials and our investigators not opening up the door. One thing that I'm learning very quickly is to not get super hooked on a person until later on in the process. You will teach several first lessons, but many people aren't ready to hear the message yet. So, several times, we drop them or they drop us and just don't answer the door... Such is life! But, we were able to stop by a recent convert's house, named Christina. But, when she opened the door, her kitchen was on fire!!! She answered it, saw that it was us, and said "Un momento" - and continued to pound out a grease fire in her kitchen! Talk about strange... But, when I got home I got to pack up some things to get ready to go on an exchange with the Zone Leaders. I got to go with Elder Carter up to Middleton.
Exchanges were a super great experience, though. I loved getting to learn from Elder Carter - he is such a powerful missionary. And luckily, we got a car. :) So, I got a car instead of buses for a day! One of my favorite moments was when we were watching a mormon message with a couple, and I felt prompted to share my testimony about being thankful with him, so I did, and I think it hit him pretty hard. And then later that night, we had a dinner appointment with a family who has been hit pretty hard by life right now, and I felt prompted to share D&C 121 with them, which is when Joseph Smith is in the Liberty Jail, saying "O God, where art thou?" But the words of comfort come from God when he says "Peace be unto thy soul, thine adversity shall be but a small moment." I loved that, and it started a great conversation.
And then the only other thing that happened was on saturday night, we had a giant culture night that the missionaries planned. And, out of all of the activities at a church that I've ever seen, this one was the biggest! The Latinos went crazy, showing us a whole bunch of dances, songs, and other amazing things.
And of course, Sunday was great too. :D Except for the part when we had to cancel all of our day's plans because Elder Shipp is sick and we think he has bronchitis. I hope he gets better! But that's it from me - I love you guys so much! :D
--Elder Nathan Hubert
No comments:
Post a Comment