Well the title says it all! WE HAD SNOW! It was awesome
for about 5 seconds and then I realized that snow means it is below
freezing usually. It was. It was like 30 degrees. Just awesome. But it
snowed for like an hour and then it turned to rain and melted
everything. So October 20th, first snow. Too early... Now for the almost
miracle...
The mission-wide goal these last couple weeks has been
250. The first week (October 13th) we only had like 188. So we needed to
step it up. Friday night, we were counting on having like 7 people
there, which in missionary life, translates to be about 1 or 2. So we
made our calls, tried to offer rides, and guess how many showed up?
Zero. So that sucked. But now for the miracle (almost). When we were in
ward council, Brother B------ steps out for a minute, and says for us to
go outside. We look out into the hall, and this MASSIVE dude is
standing there. He is 6'9", and just huge. He is older too, probably
60's or 70's. So we are super pumped! This guy was a former about a year
ago when Wadena and Alexandria were combined. Since he barely lives in
the Wadena area, his teaching records got moved over there. But there is
no missionaries in Wadena. So it basically disappeared. He told us he
was supposed to be baptized, but the day came and passed, and he didn't
know what happened, but I don't know about that one. So he stays for
sacrament, and we go to Gospel Principles, which they do only with
gators. So we go in there, and he starts blowin my mind. It was nuts. He
starts talking about how his family has been "enlightened" for 500
years, and they have been secretly murdered by Catholics. He says that
the stuff he "knows" can get him killed by the Catholic church.
Apparently his family was pretty high up in Catholicism, and they
weren't allowed to talk about this stuff. He is talking about how "thin"
the veil is for him, and he isn't even living on earth anymore. I know
sounds absolutely nuts. But he literally knows and agrees with almost
every point of deep doctrine in our church already! I am just having my
mind blown the whole time. He is saying that our church is the ONLY
church that supports this "enlightenment". Whatever, fine by me! So he
says, "Can we set up a baptismal date? I will be out of the country next
weekend." So we have stake conference the next weekend, and I schedule
it for November 24th.
He agrees. So now on to Brother C-----. He is the Assistant WML. He is
basically crazy. He just walks right into peoples houses. We knock so
they know someone is there, and he walks right in. I don't understand.
He is so bold I can't even describe it. Anyways Brother C----- moves
down to Florida for the winter, and is leaving November 4th.
So he wants him to be baptized on the 3rd. Well I guess D--- has been
to church enough, so it could maybe work. Brother C----- just wants to
see him baptized before he leaves. But logistically it just wouldn't
work.
-He lives 45 miles away.
-Not in our area.
-The Zone Leaders would have to interview him at least a week in advance, so this weekend.
So this all being said, we have to talk to President to get approval. We ask the Zone Leaders to call him, and the verdict is...
NO. 1. He is outside our area, and for him to be baptized in our
ward, he would need First Presidency approval. 2. Apparently Wadena is
getting senior missionaries tomorrow. So that is the almost miracle. We
aren't allowed to teach him. But if he continues to come to Alexandria
Ward, it can be discussed. Oh well. The real miracle is that we got a
gator to church. It wasn't one we had expected, but it was an
investigator that wants to come closer to Christ! Our prayers were
definitely answered!
Now for a normal story. So I guess a little over a
year ago, the missionaries were teaching between 20-35 lessons a week,
and most with a member present. This is how it went. the ward was
divided up into sections within the ward for home teaching. So then the
home teachers could stay close to home and do their home teaching. I
guess it was at like 87-90% home teaching every month. The home teachers
would then ask the missionaries to come out with them for the day. They
would meet somewhere, and the home teacher would take them to all the
Part Members and investigators in the area. They were baptizing like
crazy! And teaching, and getting a ton of referrals! But then the stake
prez said they only have to home teach quarterly. And then it all fell
apart. So they are re-establishing it in a couple weeks! So we are
hoping to get back up to those numbers and some!
It is a lot going on, and I love being here! Send lots of letters!
I
know the church is true! I know Joseph Smith say God the Father and His
Son Jesus Christ on that spring morning of 1820. I know the Book of
Mormon is another TRUE Testament of Jesus Christ. I know Thomas S.
Monson is a prophet of God! And I know God hears and answers our
prayers!
'Ofa Lahi Atu
Elder Evans
No comments:
Post a Comment