He's Going Where????

So sweet to hear about more mission calls. When other Elders brag about how great their family is I just smile...because I come from the greatest. Metcalf's and Stirland's, how could I ever go wrong with that type of lineage? Awesome. Especially as I hear the fruit of their loins continue to drastically increase.

The Lord tapped me on the shoulder this week (or should I say pounded). On Tuesday night I didn't sleep a wink. I was having really nasty sharp shoulder pains and my stomach was hurting. Tossing and turning was torture so I just sat up in bed and stared at the clock from 4:30-6. It was not-so glorious. Of course I asked for a blessing in which the Spirit directed me back to one simply phrase that had alluded my mind lately. "Listen to your mother." You see, I was told that I needed to take my vitamins and having received a lovely email last week from mother telling me to continue to adhere to the strict commandments of a large vitamin regime as well as staying away from sugar it was pretty obvious the direction that was being enforced onto my mind. I didn't take it seriously and I was suffering the consequences. You better believe that I am living on the pill schedule to the best of my ability now. Needless to say, health has returned.

We had a district meeting where we were trained and practiced the art of making a habit of immediately testifying of restored truth. While we were role-playing, someone would pick a subject in their mind and go outside the door and we would pretend they were a contact. The Spirit is awesome. Every time the role-playing investigator had a question in his mind, the missionary (us) would address the concern perfectly by immediately testifying of a restored truth. Once we departed we put this practice to the test while ground pounding the streets of Frisco. My favorite was a certain door contact. I knocked. He answered. The words came out of my mouth "Hey we're missionaries and representatives of Jesus Christ. Today were teaching how God and Jesus Christ are 2 separate beings, would you be interested?" His response..."I'm catholic" and he slammed the door. Now I don't know if that was necessarily the Spirit or just borderline recklessness on my part. What I do know is that a HUGE difference in false doctrine and a restored truth was immediately addressed instead of standing there, wasting our time beating around the bush.

We got 2 great contacts and interested people that same day. One guy was named Arthur who was about to walk passed us. Immediately I knew there was no way he was getting by without a testimony of a restored truth..."Hey! Have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon? It will really bless your family with some of the most essential fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Come to find out, he has been searching for a church that best suits his family, although he is currently comfortable in his, he was more then willing to give it another shot and investigate. Now we just have to get over there when he is actually home.

A bizarre contact that same day was with a lady from Africa that was out on a walk near the ponds by our home. We were already late for our ride to dinner but I wasn't letting this one get away. "Hey! Were missionaries and today were talking about the plan of salvation and how families can be together forever." Her husband had passed away earlier last year...needless to say she was taken back. We tried to get a number and address from her but she is staying with her son-in-law and didn't believe she had permission from him for us to come over. I asked where abouts she lived anyway. When she told me, my eyes lit up. I had never met this woman but I asked her "Is your son Usche?" she said yes. Turns out I already have all her contact information from talking to her son that she is living with, from a contact 3 months ago. Awesome.

I am stoked for Mike! Norway will be awesome. Mike, you are perfect for it. You will bring many to the Gospel truth there. Don't let anyone say anything negative about it or let someone say "oh, that will be a hard european mission" because you are the creator of your own circumstances. Heavenly Father had a gigantic smile on his face when he said 'send him to Oslo! I have great opportunities for him there, greater then he could dream.' You will have the awesome circumstances to face such ridiculous false doctrine (i.e. they approve of gay marriage without hesitation) and confound it all with 5 words of truth accompanied with the Spirit. I actually got that in a letter from Grandpa Metcalf recently. Hmmm, that is a interesting 'coincidence' we are taught about testifying of restored truths immediately and then Grandpa Metcalf sends me a fantastic (they all are) letter about 5 words of Spirit filled truth destroying years of study of anything about the Bible and twisted doctrines. Ahhh Mike you will Love it all. I am EXTREMELY jealous that you will be out and I will be home eventually. Scary thought how fast it all goes... I turn 6 months old on the 26th. ughh, I have just seen the tip of the ice berg!

We are actually (hmm, coincidence?) teaching a girl from Norway who is staying with some members. She is pretty cool but to sum it up, this is her situation 'I like to party, sins are ok, Christ died for mine so why does it matter, I can drink coffee and alcohol... I am not happy.' As we teach her were trying to not scream in her face the restored and obvious truths such as the word of wisdom etc... However Mike, I can not teach the people of Norway like you can. You were called there because Heavenly Father has great things and people in store for you there. Your message is going to drastically change them and bring them to Christ. AWESOME. Learn the Voice of Him so you will be directed. That is my only advice.

Well in other news, We have a family that will be baptized on March 20th. That is 6 weeks away so pray relentlessly for these people! They are so cool. They love the Church, they have felt the Spirit in all of our lessons and they are committed to join. Once again I felt like none of it was my part. She had the date for her and her family in the back of her mind before we even showed up for our last lesson. Great family. They will be very successful in the Gospel because they have felt the Spirit and are understanding the voice of God and how he speaks to them. Could that explain anymore simply how these people are becoming converted?

We have had great lessons with our recent converts in the wards. I cant believe just how much I value their friendships and how badly I want to see them succeed. The converts here that I have taught, I have grown to love in a way that astounds me. The lessons we have been having are usually challenged because I just want to 'hang out and talk' most of the time. The Spirit of course hones me in on my purpose and the teachings become that much greater. We had a lesson with Felipe this past week and I was taking notes from him. I cant believe these converts here, stronger then half the lifetime members! (That may include me). How glorious is it for me to be a part of this great work! (Nehemiah 6:3).

Well I love you all dearly. Sorry for those I don't write back immediately or at all. Dad I have a really awesome present in my mind for you so be prepared.

Love you all.
Elder Uncle Metcalf