November 9, 2009

Well I have drawn the conclusion that missions are actually easy. The fact that we are all spoiled makes it hard. Tracting is something I loathe simply because I don't want to do it, not because it is hard. The mission is easy but we make it hard. I look forward to the work of 'un-spoiling' myself and staying humble before my maker.

Yes I love all sorts of books now. I borrowed 'Rough Stone Rolling' from one of the members and it is awesome! I am going to pick up a copy if I get transferred. It’s nice to hear how it is from a different perspective and how much more I want to be like Joseph smith. My idol.

I found out some really great news right outside of my area. Deron Williams’ house is in 'the colony' which is next door to us somewhere. I will have to make sure my district leader gets over there.

We had dinner with a way awesome family and Matt would appreciate them simply because the dad's father is the 'Will It Blend?' guy. We had some way good laughs over that. They even had the transformers from one of the YouTube videos so you'll have to ask Matt about it and look it up.

Teaching is going swell even knowing I am just doing average. We tracted into a retired military captain and it was pretty sweet to look him in the eyes quoting the divinity of the Book of Mormon. He is way solid though because he respects us strongly as young men that are actually doing what we believe in. He nicknamed us the 'ground pounders' which I thought was classic considering he is a tract out.

We finally got to get into one of our eternigators (eternal investigators) house and talked. I ended up teaching the plan of salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the kids in 20 minutes. Thank heavens for that one lesson we were placed in at the MTC which makes teaching sooo easy. It is basically easier to teach kids then adults because you can get them excited a lot faster. I have high hopes for them this transfer.

We had an amazing zone conference with about 3/4 of the mission there. We had elder Flukengher (sp?) of the area 70 teach what exactly it meant to be saved. Explaining that we are all saved from everything and the effects from the fall when we are born but through our own disobedience we fall and need the gospel for redemption. Also, I saw sister Barber at zone conference. We talked for a while about how weird it is to see the tag on my shirt and how crazy it is that Matt Jamision is planning on submitting his papers this January. That is absolute solid proof that the atonement is for real watching him go through the gospel. Invite him over sometime since I can’t get him to email at all. Zone conference was a crazy stroll down memory lane talking to sister Barber for a while and also getting together with most of my MTC district again, elder Moli, and I swear we have been friends our entire lives. The sisters from my district are slaying it as well; it’s good to hear we are well on our way to the goal of millions. It will happen through posterity and time.

I think I am doing really well and my self worth (not my cockiness) is increasing drastically. I’ve just got work through the motions of spiritually being so down and I will shine big time as I grow in skill, spirituality and knowledge. I think the biggest struggle I have right now is working on our companion unity. You know how I said that I would be 'that companion' that everyone would worry about. Haha maybe that's it but I’m trying to keep my hot headed mind down while we work through our errors. Elder Johnson has set about 4 more dates with people we were teaching in Rockwall so I hope I will be able to see them but who knows. The good thing is that they are entering into the kingdom and that's what really matters.

One very monster of a obstacle that is infuriating me down here is all the Anti-Mormon crap. We had a lady on a blitz try to tell us that Joseph Smith was deranged by illness and I had to shut my mouth because she went on and my blood was boiling. My companion handled it well but she made sure to refer us to the library so we could receive the so called bull crap they call 'truth' around here. I almost back talked her by responding with... "Well did you get to see the books on atheism too?" It is driving me insane! These ignorant deceived children of the devil (as the Book of Mormon 'might' say) is driving me up a wall and I am supposed to take the 'kind,' non offensive way out and let them continue their deceitful lies against the greatest men that have ever lived in this dispensation. Someone please give me good advice on how to defend without the contend. We all know how my p-blessing explains that I will grow in spiritual stature as I defend the doctrines, leaders and the savior himself so let’s get going here! I am ready to grow! But I am still in my tender youth on my mission. Watch to see if anyone is put in your path to shed some light on this problem of defense without contention.

Hmmm not sure what else to write. That just about sums it up. I still love teaching and I love people! So many laughs so far that this is the best my life is going to be. I am looking forward with a positive viewpoint of extreme success and I expect nothing less! I am my father's son (in 2 ways of course) and I am ready to destroy the foundations of hell that have been tormenting me as well as all of my brothers and sisters. I love it! "Shall we all not go on in such great a cause?" (Not sure if that is the actual quote) Alma 48:17 and Romans 1:16. Thank you so much for all of your help. You are loved a lot by me, so much that I can’t even tell.

Love Mark the current Elder Metcalf


We have interviews with president this weekend so I look forward to learning from him one on one. He gave me AMAZING help last time. I have full confidence in him. Not a shadow of doubt I was put here to learn from him as well.

Send pictures with the books! Anything you want to send, send it!