Way spiritually intensive week... Lots to say, little time to do so.
First of all, Megan's email was awesome, where the heck did she learn to throw down writing like that? That was pretty sweet.
Awesome experiences this week and much needed guidance that the Spirit made sure to hammer into my soul. It was awesome.
On Tuesday we went to the temple which of course was awesome. Sitting in the Celestial room I decided to flip around a little bit and landed on some of my favorite parables in the Book of Mormon, the war chapters. Which ultimately lead to my scripture. If you know what I am talking about. There seems to be some of us that read a scripture and the Spirit hammers the final nail that gives the confirming witness of the divinity of the Book. The scripture for me was Alma 48:17 - that sealed the deal. "Alright, take me" and the papers were sent. Knew what I had to do and also who to become and went for it. It was a big relief to read that scripture having a determined resolution so long ago, to be able to realize that the growth (slow growth) was there and to relax and continue to lose myself in the work.
We had a fireside with Elder Evans of the first quorum of the seventy in the mission for recent converts, investigators, etc... It was awesome! We went down with Felipe and Bro Esserine. Krystin from the 6th ward came down with another member. So perfect. Elder Evans called on Krystin a few times out of the crowd and she was shining with a new member countenance that continues to grow. Felipe was way shocked after the meeting when we introduced him to Elder Evans. He said "you mean I can meet him, he's not like the pope?" Bro Esserine responded perfectly "he's a normal man, with different responsibilities than you." After the fireside we got permission to go to the temple again but this time for Felipe. Right here you would probably assume he got his endowments but such was not the case. However Bro Esserine described it as 'you could see in his eyes as he looked at the recommend desk - how do I get behind there!' We walked around the temple for a bit and then when we asked if he wanted to go into the foyer he was shocked he could actually go in. Immediately he noticed, as did all of us, the highly obvious difference between even the foyer and the outside world. Bro Esserine was talking to him but Felipe completely zoned out. He was staring at a picture on the wall of Christ teaching a young boy. His response after some time was how desperate he is to help his son. Revelation! The temple is awesome, even if you only get a small taste.
Krystin gave a talk on Sunday (yes, she was baptized only 6 weeks ago) and it was incredible. When she finished it was the loudest amen I have ever heard in the wards I cover. She talked about how she got to do baptisms for the dead and when she pondered how huge the eternal impact of what she was doing was. She testified that the whole room 'glowed' and the work she was doing took on a entirely different meaning. Revelation! She felt the difference and it become super personal and powerful. Her talk again was incredible. What the heck? What more could I possibly be learning here! This is so much with all these awesome converts.
Oh but it gets better.
Wednesday it was our turn with Elder Evans, he spoke at our zone conference for several hours and the Spirit really hammered us. It was fantastic! Although I find this new desperation to find my eternal companion and must repent of all my jokes and snide remarks of never wanting to get married. You see, the first 90 minutes or so of his speaking was on eternal companions. He talked about how he encouraged very quickly finding a wife. He was married in 3 months after his mission and also mentioned Elder Scott who was married within 6 days after his mission - then he endorsed it. So now there is some anxiety in me to find "the one." Sorry parents, looks like I wont be living with you until I am 30 and single. Now I'll be living with you until I'm 30, completely married....kidding.
He bore witness that President and Sister Smith were among the best married couples in the entire church and just how incredibly awesome they are. He said to seek for a companion that reminds me of them or their characteristics. (at that point I realized something that was said to me several times - be the one, not just look for the one.) Then he dropped some doctrine that was awesome. The real reason we are assigned to where we go on missions is because we covenanted in the pre-existence to serve with our mission presidents. Wow. Makes sense though. I am very privileged to have such incredible influences in my life. It does lead one to wonder though, it has to also mean that everyone I serve with or around during my mission (companions, other missionaries, etc..) that we probably were good friends a long long time ago. Now that's just speculative but a fun thought. Its fun to fulfill our duties side by side with the ones you really love (which happens almost instantly when you meet them.)
Elder Evans called Elder Walker to come up for the first role play (Elder Evans was the investigator) and of course invited his companion to join him as well (me.) I did not say anything during that role play however I have never seen (outside my own family) such sincerity in someones eyes. It was very intense yet intimate at the same time. I had a scripture in mind as we were walking up to do this role play because I knew there was a chance or opportunity that I might get to testify. I had chosen 2 Nephi 31:20. Elder Evans pretending to be the investigator in this role play explained just how much 'hope' he had in the Savior after Elder Walker introduced the Book of Mormon. (to a General Authority mind you.) Makes me sad that I didn't use the scripture however if you focus on the lesson learned from this it helps me realize that I can trust the Spirit always to guide me in teaching. That scripture I had chosen came to mind before we ever started the role play.
We sat at Elder Evans table during lunch to which the topic of conversation turned to, you guessed it, Felipe, Judy, Anthony and Victor. They remembered him (hope that's a good thing.) but also were excited for the future converts in the 6th ward.
Something Elder Evans did that really impressed me was after lunch he headed straight to the stand and started reading his scriptures. I don't read them enough which should almost be every chance I get.
We had interviews the next day with President Smith to continue the week of awesome teaching. He had something planned but instead spoke on a subject that I don't ever understand enough, us. He went to Abr. 3:22-25 and pointed out the fact of how special and valiant we all were and now are. The fact that we were all in the same room together proved it. He talked on a vastly personal subject of which when pride gets a hold of some of his missionaries (that covenanted to serve with him) to the point that they leave or don't even come out, he said with great personal meaning "its like losing a son..."
My interview went well. President Smith shared some great new insight and also reiterated some of the same things I have been taught about me before I ever met him, Heavenly Father is definitely trying to tell me something. So I will go on and apply it.
As a quick note Bishop Orton will be very happy to know that the first ward was represented well. Sister Barber and I read scriptures back to back for a General Authority and although it may be a small thing, I thought he might enjoy the report. He even called out Sister Barber and her wonderful companion at the fireside, had them stand up, and said "Who wouldn't want to get taught by these wonderful Sisters?" The first ward trained us well Bishop.
Well love you all, sorry I am running out of time to keep typing. That pre-recorded Valentines card y'all sent me with your voices on it nearly killed me. Ahhh it was terribly good.
Love you
Uncle Elder Metcalf
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