Texas is fantastic, I think my trainer is the top missionary out here but I can't get it out of him. I've made so many mistakes but it's expected of me so I just laugh. Church yesterday was one of the longest days of my life. We are over 2 wards (Rockwall and Heath) which translates into 10 hours of meetings. I was dozing off pretty bad in correlation and PEC but don't get too nervous, they had to wake up one of the stake presidency who was in the meeting as well when he didn't respond to a question.
We got a new referral last week and when we talked to him for the first time you could tell his head was full of Anti-Mormon doctrine. Lucky for him Elder Johnson set him straight but ended up telling me he is actually a really promising referral. Go figure.
We taught about 20 lessons this past week and I had my first successful split from my companion. I taught Amanda and her family some things about the prophet to get her stoked for conference but her 2 year old is like a stick of uranium because of the noise she creates. After that I visited a part member family who has a 10 year old with a baptismal date but they aren't really coming to church. She was pressing questions about the creation of the earth and how all her christian friends believe that the earth was created in 6 days but she believes that it's obvious it is billions of years old. I responded with saying she was exactly right and gave her my 'testimony' on the subject. I think she was happy about that. When I got home and talked to my companion about it, I was right! Joseph Smith said that the earth was 4.5 billion years old and we talked about the creation and it reaffirmed what I said to that sister. Pretty cool.
A couple days later I taught my first full lesson. yikes. Actually it went pretty well even knowing I would say random things every once in awhile and covered every piece of the first lesson in full detail (60 minutes worth). but it was to an 11 year old and he had water in his eyes at the end so I think that might be a good sign.
Sandy Powers was baptized last Saturday and wow, she was the first convert baptism I have seen in my life I think. Way cool service, she is solid. She bore her testimony at the end as well and really wants her daughters to 'partake of the fruit' so we will have to lend our hands to that great work. She was confirmed in sacrament yesterday and I was asked to be one of the priesthood holders to join with that which was again a great honor. Still, I haven't helped anyone from the beginning to the end so I don't think I got the full effect like my companion did.
I had my second interview with President Smith this week. I got help with a couple of things but he really felt prompted to talk to me about planning and the effect it will have on me and my life. Elder Johnson is one of the best planning missionaries here and President said that is probably one of the main reasons I am being trained by him and that I need to absorb every bit of that skill as I can. Not only for my mission, but the rest of my life. Makes perfect sense though since I can come off really ditzy sometimes.
The wards are really great here, every time I walk into a members house, I can feel like I am back at home. Way different then other homes out here.
During laundry this morning a J-Dub and her kid walked into the laundry facility and placed out some of their doctrine on the table. She said Hi but didn't approach us at all. Johnson was way disappointed because he has power skills to totally destroy any other churches interpretation of the Gospel (in a kind way of course). Not that it's hard by any means considering no one else has the restored Gospel.
I had my first exchange with one of the zone leaders last week too. He had a lot of trust in my teaching skills because he kept calling on me to teach principles to a few people. We went to one guys house and I had my first crazy drunk guy experience on the mission! 'Mormons, come preach to me' he said. Then he proceeded to tell us that he had the truth and we can be saved. Just another guy that believes all we have to do is believe in Jesus Christ to be saved with not a lot of effort on his part. Then we taught a blind man name Kenneth. Unfortunately before we walked into his house I could already smell the drugs. When we did start teaching inside his apartment it was instant headache. The smell was so strong. It seemed like Satan was just finding people to waste our time with.
I met a recent convert in Garland who was so euphoric about the Gospel it was awesome. He hadn't had a dream for several years but the night he was baptized he had a dream about his mother and sister who had died giving him a much welcomed hug. He has been dreaming ever since.
Good heavens I think everyone down here has 3 million different versions of the Bible. Its crazy. Just random guys interpreting the scripture and people wonder why there are 22,000 sects in America today. Oh well, the churches here in Rockwall are massive and beautiful and will be great firewood someday. Even Sandy who was baptized said she use to speak in tongues and would go to churches full of rock music and screaming. yes, smart. Texas is in for a big surprise.
My companion and I disagree on one thing though. In the scriptures it talks about hunters and fishers in the last days. The fishers being the earlier missionaries of this dispensation baptizing thousands of people and the hunters being today's missionaries who only average about 6 each. Well I want to be a fisher. Simple as that. Somehow I am going to figure out while I am out here a way to make that possible but of course its not going to be easy... we'll see. I was specifically taught in the MTC that the difference between a hunter and a fisher was your state of mind and your attitude. Everyone believes in Jesus down here, how hard can it be? ha....
-Love Elder Metcalf
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A big Howdy from Texas!
i think i would live and die here if it weren't for the fact that you could stand on a tuna can and see the back of your head...ugh where are my mountains? good thing there wont be a temptation when winter rolls around, that and when the alarm clock screams at me every morning is about my only complaint so far.
The members are super good, my trainer has been working super hard to get everything rolling along since the missionaries here before him destroyed the area. We taught over 20 lessons from Tuesday til Sunday which is even a record for him. Pretty impressive since he claims about 40 baptisms. when we were setting goals on Thursday, i asked him to help me with my memory loss which occurs every 30 seconds since this is all a dream to me (reality slowly is creeping in). Also i told him that i demanded to be trained well enough to be the top baptizing missionary in Texas before he leaves. He said 'no problem' and the record is somewhere around 65.
My first week has felt like it has lasted about 6 months but i mean that in a good way, considering that i have done more in this week then i did for my last 6 months at home. the very first night we flew in to Dallas we went and got a picture with the president in front of the temple. After words we went and had BBQ at the mission home (ahhhh BBQ). we then bore our testimonies after dinner and i was probably the most pathetic missionary there because i was constantly blowing my nose and trying to suppress my embarrassing cough. Right as my turn came to give my testimony, i stood up and then as fate would have it, in walks sister Katie Barber. Don't worry, we got a picture before we all separated for our first night.
The first night here Elder Moli and I went out with the zone leaders as was our assignment, the goal was to commit a nice lady named Bobbie to baptism. yeah, not very intimidating at all. Needless to say she is going to get baptized this weekend. I think it was about a 2 hour meeting at her house.
My trainer is awesome, totally amazing. he was converted at 18 and his family has been accusing him of going to hell since then. He has been out 20 months and goes home in December but he definitely is a smart and hard worker. he has already taught me well. I feel like I am getting more and more into my element. we tracked out a nice Hispanic couple the other day and I went on my first split with a member to teach alone last night. I wasn't nervous but the adrenaline didn't help at all. So we knocked on the door and i was devastated there was no answer. i got stood up twice on my first night of teaching alone. lame. meanwhile my trainer was out committing people to baptism. Anyway the teaching is going well but i have a long ways to go.
President Uchtdorf was here yesterday and shook my hand by the way, I'm sure you can read more about it in sister barber's epistles since i have 7 minutes left to finish mine. He spoke for about 90 minutes and i took about 3 pages of notes. The fact of the matter is that the Gospel is simple and powerful. everyone and there dog needs to quit complicating it. its driving me insane to hear missionaries and members testifying that 'the church is true, the church is restored, the church blesses me and my family!'. OK, so its true in some sense but we are denying ourselves the purity of Jesus Christ. "The GOSPEL is restored in its fullness, The GOSPEL blesses families, the GOSPEL and its ordinances/principles will save us" not the church. The 5 principles of the GOSPEL are faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. the church is an appendage to the last principle and the administration of the GOSPEL. that's it. Notice how all churches are pretty much the same (especially in Texas) when they preach Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and repentance but then at baptism where the AUTHORITY was lost 1600 years ago see so many different ways that people get baptized! So much corruption down here. There is a great and abominable church on every corner destroying the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. OK I'm done preaching. I just thought that was something cool i would share. Anyway, President Uchtdorf really focused on giving that little extra everyday that you don't have to give then you will see miracles. Also, he stressed the values of companions (whether in my case or your married to them). and that love is central to everything you do or you will get no where. and yes mom, i saw sister barber at that meeting as well. It was in Arlington where Lance served but that mission definitely needs some work since Elder Starling left. That's all i better say!
Remember that God always will respect our free agency so we always have to ask. I forgot what else to say but we have 3 baptisms scheduled and have 5 as our goal this transfer. Let the games begin.
Love your #2 son,
Elder Metcalf
The members are super good, my trainer has been working super hard to get everything rolling along since the missionaries here before him destroyed the area. We taught over 20 lessons from Tuesday til Sunday which is even a record for him. Pretty impressive since he claims about 40 baptisms. when we were setting goals on Thursday, i asked him to help me with my memory loss which occurs every 30 seconds since this is all a dream to me (reality slowly is creeping in). Also i told him that i demanded to be trained well enough to be the top baptizing missionary in Texas before he leaves. He said 'no problem' and the record is somewhere around 65.
My first week has felt like it has lasted about 6 months but i mean that in a good way, considering that i have done more in this week then i did for my last 6 months at home. the very first night we flew in to Dallas we went and got a picture with the president in front of the temple. After words we went and had BBQ at the mission home (ahhhh BBQ). we then bore our testimonies after dinner and i was probably the most pathetic missionary there because i was constantly blowing my nose and trying to suppress my embarrassing cough. Right as my turn came to give my testimony, i stood up and then as fate would have it, in walks sister Katie Barber. Don't worry, we got a picture before we all separated for our first night.
The first night here Elder Moli and I went out with the zone leaders as was our assignment, the goal was to commit a nice lady named Bobbie to baptism. yeah, not very intimidating at all. Needless to say she is going to get baptized this weekend. I think it was about a 2 hour meeting at her house.
My trainer is awesome, totally amazing. he was converted at 18 and his family has been accusing him of going to hell since then. He has been out 20 months and goes home in December but he definitely is a smart and hard worker. he has already taught me well. I feel like I am getting more and more into my element. we tracked out a nice Hispanic couple the other day and I went on my first split with a member to teach alone last night. I wasn't nervous but the adrenaline didn't help at all. So we knocked on the door and i was devastated there was no answer. i got stood up twice on my first night of teaching alone. lame. meanwhile my trainer was out committing people to baptism. Anyway the teaching is going well but i have a long ways to go.
President Uchtdorf was here yesterday and shook my hand by the way, I'm sure you can read more about it in sister barber's epistles since i have 7 minutes left to finish mine. He spoke for about 90 minutes and i took about 3 pages of notes. The fact of the matter is that the Gospel is simple and powerful. everyone and there dog needs to quit complicating it. its driving me insane to hear missionaries and members testifying that 'the church is true, the church is restored, the church blesses me and my family!'. OK, so its true in some sense but we are denying ourselves the purity of Jesus Christ. "The GOSPEL is restored in its fullness, The GOSPEL blesses families, the GOSPEL and its ordinances/principles will save us" not the church. The 5 principles of the GOSPEL are faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. the church is an appendage to the last principle and the administration of the GOSPEL. that's it. Notice how all churches are pretty much the same (especially in Texas) when they preach Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and repentance but then at baptism where the AUTHORITY was lost 1600 years ago see so many different ways that people get baptized! So much corruption down here. There is a great and abominable church on every corner destroying the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. OK I'm done preaching. I just thought that was something cool i would share. Anyway, President Uchtdorf really focused on giving that little extra everyday that you don't have to give then you will see miracles. Also, he stressed the values of companions (whether in my case or your married to them). and that love is central to everything you do or you will get no where. and yes mom, i saw sister barber at that meeting as well. It was in Arlington where Lance served but that mission definitely needs some work since Elder Starling left. That's all i better say!
Remember that God always will respect our free agency so we always have to ask. I forgot what else to say but we have 3 baptisms scheduled and have 5 as our goal this transfer. Let the games begin.
Love your #2 son,
Elder Metcalf
Friday, September 11, 2009
Mark Receives His Mission Call
Mark is set apart as a Missionary to Dallas, Texas
Kathryn made the tie & Grandpa Metcalf gives him a last minute lesson on how to tie it.
Letter #1
A quick goodbye & he never looked back!
Dear family that I miss so much. The MTC is fantastic. A lot of work but it is easy as long as you practice. Every member gets worried about giving their testimonies when really it just needs to be about faith in Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith as a prophet called of God, President Monson as our prophet today. I love it. I am happy to be here pat of this Army. As a district we chose Nehemiah 6:3 as our theme. It was from from Elder Uchdorf's talk recently. Reading and hearing the talk gave me goosebumps. I have to keep baring my testimony and promising myself how real our gospel is and I will never fail or even get discouraged. I love you family, but too bad for you that you no longer have excitement in the home! Just kidding.
I am here to learn to cause less contention when I get home. This place is so safe from the outside world. It's like the temple, virtually there is not a single drop of negativity. Every once in awhile you have contention clouds brewing but I am learning that arguing is worthless and to just swallow my pride and be humble and follow the prophet. I am never getting married because I am never leaving, Sorry. Is Nicole Pregnant yet? Good news. I do believe I am over my past. As far as being a leader, I think I am really developing. We have Elder Mosca in our district and he is like 23 and a convert of a year. A real power influence. Elder Barton is Steven. My companion is Elder Moosman and he is Dakota Larsen. Elder Moli is the happiest Tongan you will ever meet. Then there is Elder Scott. He is in our district and I think the only physically and mentally disabled Elder here. He is awesome, love him to death, really strong testimony.
Letter #2
So fired up right now. Although it is right before bedtime so I am winding down. Had another AMAZING day. Our district is so awesome. Lots of power and love. I laugh too much here. I laughed so hard today that the spirit was driven away. I do believe God is looking down on us and me personally and smiling. Anything anyone has said negatively about the MTC is an abomination in my eyes. So fun here. I wake up and get up every time my alarm screams 6:05 a.m. Every lesson taught is by a powerhouse. Pretty soon I will be that powerhouse. Before I got my call I talked to my friends who went to Mexico on their missions. They said the Apostle told them they need to be baptizing at least once a week. So I got my call to Texas and let that goal slip by. So much mentality that you can't baptize in the Bible belt. Well we had a lesson today about how the yearly convert rate has dropped about 60,000 a year. Why? Because people come up with stupid and blasphemous ideas that baptisms aren't what's most important and somehow it became politically incorrect to want to baptize as much as you can. As the meeting progressed, so did our/my confidence. Ammon was not any different than me, not at all! I can be just like him and follow his example or even better, become an example ranked with Ammon. He is my example. Pray for him to assist me (with his spirit) on my mission. So I wrote 104 converts on my notes and stared at it. Felling the spirit, I wrote another 0...1040. Elder Mosca saw this and tapped my shoulder and said..."No, Millions...Millions!" I can change all their hearts. So this is what I came up with. Everything I give up is nothing compared to what I do - snowboarding is nothing (0), friends are nothing (0), good sleep nothing (0), dating is definitely nothing (0), I'll even put nothing next to family (0) and my life was of course nothing before the mission (0). Now what do I get in return for giving all that up? "Thy faith had made thee whole."
When I apply that to my mission and add all the spirit and courage of the sons of Mosiah, I get 1,000,000 (to the 6th power). Yes! I'll never come home, sorry mom. We chose Nehemiah 6:3 as our district theme. Apply it to your lives, everything you do. Say to yourself every time someone tries to bring you down. "I am doing a great work and cannot come down."
Love your 2nd begotten son.
A great and marvelous work is about to come for in Texas
Send letters to:
Elder Kenneth Mark Metcalf
Texas Dallas Mission
13747 Montfort Dr. Ste 120
Dallas, TX 75240-4497
A quick goodbye & he never looked back!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Nothing New In Spirit Paradise
Nothing new here in spirit paradise. My district and I feel like we have been best friends all of our lives. My companion is the district leader and he is the most letter of the law person you have ever met. The rest of us laugh like crazy. I've been enjoying learning more about my testimony because the gospel is so clear now. We shouldn't say the church is true but that we have the restored gospel. Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Church is just something that helps us endure to the end and of course renew covenants. Wow, gonna baptize millions I am! It's crazy how much confidence you get here. I bore my testimony yesterday and have the faith that if I open my mouth having faith, that through me I can speak the power of the word through the Spirit! I have not 'worked' a single day here. Sometimes it gets hard but only because I may lose a little faith or confidence. Wow, I just realized all the new emails I got are from Matt! I bet mom and dad are probably in Hawaii. Admonish mom and dad to repentance for me. I'm sure they are hiding it from me, ha ha. But like I said I am in the paradisaical state of mind. One of our elders is in a wheel chair and can barely speak. Such a power house though. Gym is super fun here. My ball skills could compete with Deron Williams because I value every minute like gold and also probably because I'm desperate to stay healthy. My legs and feet are killing me! Anyway I hope to here from everyone else soon.
PS - I'm still 187 lbs. Yikes. Where are my cookies?????? Got one more week to hit 200... Also, I may or may not be calling next Monday (the 14th) depending on what the rules are. between 6-8.
PS - I'm still 187 lbs. Yikes. Where are my cookies?????? Got one more week to hit 200... Also, I may or may not be calling next Monday (the 14th) depending on what the rules are. between 6-8.
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