April 25, 2011

Crazy awesome week, this week. My new comp is from Houston Texas, and his name is Elder Crandall. We have had so many miracles this week. We were blessed to have 7 investigators in church, which is like a high, and also 3 people committed themselves to baptism this week. And with miracles like that I can't even begin to complain about all the rejections we have received. I love it though, because there are so many hispanos here, and it is starting to get warm, so there is just a million people outside... which is a lot seeing how it is only a town of 2000. We also played baseball with like these 7 yr old kids, for like 2 mins with this little princess plastic bat. And my comp got a single, and then I warned the outfielder to back up, but he did not. And i faked like i was going to strike out but then I just smacked it way over his head for a home run. And I let him know it was a home run too, so that was fun. I have also learned this week that bible bashing does nothing, especially if someone does not know the bible. We also had a guy tell us his conspiracy theory about easter, because there is no such thing as a bunny that lays eggs, and how santa is wrong because he is breaking and entering, and how these holidays are just teaching kids lies...the sad part was is that he was completely serious the whole time. He did not appreciate the fact that I just kept on laughing and then trying to agree with him, but he did accept a return appointment, so that was good. And then of course there is this old man named Bob who just rides his little motor scooter, wheel chair thing all around our area. So I think we have ran in to him nearly every day. It was way funny though because he just got irate at this other motor scooter guy who was dissing on his scooter because it could only go five mile without needing a recharge. He was not to happy about that. But then again I don't think he is to happy about a lot of things...one of us being mormon missionaries. But we always say hi to him when he is passing by and ask if he needs any help or anything...and without fail he cusses and turns and drives the other way. But who knows maybe one day. But now for a spiritual story. There is a guy name Josiah, who is actually married to a less active woman of the church, who actually has a desire to start going back to church, which helps a lot probably. But as of last week he did not even have a belief in God; but his heart was opened by the service of the former missionaries, who had taught him the restoration and left him with the Book of Mormon. He then went on to read the assigned part of the Book of Mormon with an earnest desire to know if it is true. We went over there and he now has a belief in God, and we went on to teach him the plan that God has for us and what his purpose of being here is. We invited him to be baptized, and he said maybe. His wife suggested a date in June when his son is going to be baptized. I felt a strong impression to share my personal experience of baptism and how I remember dad and how proud he was of me. He was hit with the spirit, his wife who suggested a possible baptism in June began to tear up, in which I asked as prompted by the spirit, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone that holds the priesthood authority of God. Without hesitation he said he would. He accepted a baptismal date 3 weeks away. He also came to church this week and is still reading from the Book of Mormon. Massiso! ?Verdad? The spirit is the converter; maybe not everybody wants to change, but they will feel the spirit directing them to do so as they open their hearts, and they will be given a choice to act on their agency to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Those that do, will change their lives for the better, and those that continue to listen will change their lives forever, until they are in harmony with the will of God. I am so excited to be here in Othello with Elder Crandall because we are truly a threesome with the spirit. Love yall so much! Have a good week.