Not bad for an old guy!

The past couple weeks in the mission I have been wondering why we haven't been getting as many new investigators as I thought we would be having by now. We make at least 140 contacts a week and are being as faithful to the Apostle's promise that our teaching pool will be full if we do so. Maybe I am just expecting results too quickly but it has definitely forced some harder looks at my skills, testimony, desire, etc etc... Maybe the Lord is just preparing me for something bigger. Who knows... but that Apostolic promise will be fulfilled if we have anything to do with it.

We had a zone conference this past week which is something I look forward to a lot. President Smith spoke by the Spirit for about 20 minutes and mentioned something about book reading in the mission... hmmm, inspired? You now have a package coming your way with all my 'non-approved' books in it. In our interview that same day I had mentioned Callister's "Infinite Atonement" to which President mentioned that they knew each other... I thought that was funny. Yet that glorious book which I got halfway through reading during lunch breaks can wait. I've got more important things to study. The thought did come to mind however that virtually every ounce of my testimony has come directly from scriptures or of course the Spirit. Who needs anything besides the Book of Mormon?

On Saturday we came up with this fantastic idea to drive a million miles to Center and Shelbyville. Just to give you some ideas of what I have heard about these 2 places... "the missionaries wiped the dust off their feet of that place already" "They've run missionaries outta there before." But no crazy excitement like that to report. Just good ol' fashioned teaching and contacting to the world. I am sure I didn't feel even partially to what Ammon did when he heard about the Lamanites. Way nice area though. I would consider living out there... if I had a helicopter and private airport. We'll see.

Sister Smith gave a sweet training on not worrying. The mission as she put it, is so good that we tend to worry as missionaries that we aren't as good as some missionaries. She taught us some relaxation techniques and told us to stop worrying. Imagine that!

We've had a lot of fun teaching a couple who in every lesson just randomly start talking at the same time for minutes at a time. I have had to add a lame joke every now and again just so I can laugh about it. They're awesome! When teaching about baptism and extending the commitment they are a little hesitant but want to know and learn more. The husband was way interested in the whole 'no paid ministry' idea. Their last church had asked all their members to donate $100 on the spot or else...

We had a lesson with an investigator that is quickly on her way to becoming an eternagator. Her desperate desire in our last lesson was to build her relationship with Heavenly Father. After explaining that keeping commitments and commandments was the way to do it she more then agreed. However whenever investigators don't keep commitments they do the exact opposite of growing! Yikes. It was pretty amazing that as we said our prayer leaving the apartment we asked for help in figuring out what her real concerns were, and boy, we got them and it helped out a lot.

As far as the Green Eggs and Ham baptism goes we are still on for the April date but are in great need of her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon on her own! Sure missionaries can bring the Spirit but it is all in vain if people wont exercise their agency to figure it out instead of, "just tryin' to figure it all out." In between the first and 2nd lessons she read 14 chapters and was on fire. Between the 2nd and 4th lessons the fire died as soon as she didn't read as much. Yikes. Crunch time. I like how Elder Holland says it in Preach My Gospel, the first thing you should do when an investigator tells you they haven't read is to be devastated!!! So true. Seems like Elder Metcalf needs to testify of the awesomeness of the Lord more in the most correct book of earth. I still have a high hope though. I am absolutely determined to bring honor to my mother's Green Eggs and Ham creation, but of course much more determined and desperate to help open some doors to the Celestial Kingdom known as... BAPTISM!!!


I am getting extremely trunky for a baptism. It's been a bit 'dry' lately.

Speaking of dry. I take 3 steps through grass in this state and my shoes turn instantly green. That is how intense the pollen is. But I do have good news... I just saved a bunch of money by switching my car insurance to Geico [that was for Matt]... No seriously, I have no allergy's! My nose is completely clear and non-suffering. Awesome. All because of something I like to call the Infinite Atonement and a doctor with magnets... interesting how that works.

Well once again I am getting desperate for some big miracles. Gonna have to do something outside the box this week. Any challenges or ideas y'all might have please let me know. I'll probably have to climb a wall and cry repentance to the University of Temptation.

Wish us some luck in your prayers.

Love Uncle Elder Metcalf

p.s. I was surprised at how small Nicole was in Matt's video (which videos were awesome!)

Called to Serve Him.......Where?

What the heck. Talk about a righteous prosperity for Grandma Polly. 2 sons that are Bishops, so far a 100% missionary record with Grandsons, 2 of which enter the MTC the same day. What on earth? oh ya... its not on earth. haha anyways. Davey I am sooo stoked for you. I can see you speaking that random language and see you speaking it well. You make a good point about teaching, and you have got so many things going for you to teach with the power and authority of God. I am way stoked for you wow. awesome. I didn't even think you had your papers in. I don't think i'll ever complain about having lasagna or spaghetti again either... you are one tough missionary already. sweeett! I am not sure if you guys are recording the farewell talks like mine and Chad's but if you do... send copies!

Well first of all we'll start with some really awesome news. The student we contacted with your Green Eggs and Ham book is getting baptized in a month. She is solid and sharp. Really I think there is potential for a future missionary. We went over the plan of salvation and again she said it all clicked and made sense. Elder Braford and I have really been putting a lot of effort into our studies in the morning doing role plays, PMG study, etc. to prepare for these super important lessons and the pay off is huge. The promise of 'treasuring up knowledge and it shall be given to you in the very moment' has literally been fulfilled several times. President was inspired to put us together because we both came to an agreement at the beginning of the transfer of our lack of being able to teach as well as we could. The improvement from such small activities in the mornings is drastic. Is it any wonder that Elder Evans (70) said that we need to keep these patterns we develop on the mission throughout our lives?

Our investigator had an experience with her mom who wasn't exactly thrilled with her taking the lessons. Anti Mormon presence seems to be getting stronger throughout this mission (I'm sure its just an assumption i am making) but even in 2 visits she was defending the Church to her own mother. It makes my heart sink that its like that... but in her own words she says "I love God more" Wow. Powerful example. If she converts she will lose her job, free housing (episcopalian housing) and possibly family. However she has said "I know what to do."
What on earth?
Not on earth
Celestialize me!

We got to go with the ward to the temple on Saturday which is, needless to say, super sweet. We were there for a few hours considering we drove all the way from Nac to be there. We did a session then went to some baptisms for a few minutes then sat down for a bit. As we were sitting down, a sealer asked if we would like to be a part of some sealings. After informing him we cant (missionary rules) I let him know that I actually haven't ever seen a sealing (sorry Grandpa!) He invited us in to observe at which the sealer immediately asked us to witness. Awesome. I thought of Grandpa Metcalf the whole time. Not to mention the blessings from such an ordinance widened my eyes beyond what I thought was physically possible. Incredible.
Restored!
For us...

I was on Ether 12 on my 2nd time reading the Book of Mormon this past week. I thought I would read a little more to finish it sooner but the witness again was so powerful from that chapter that I completed reading it again for the 3rd time. Glorious. My testimony of the Atonement skyrocketed as I witnessed for the first time some of the richest meanings of the scriptures. "when did they put this in here?" I asked myself. It was awesome!

However it does help me understand more about pride... both of myself and of others that reject the Gospel. If we but humble ourselves before Christ we will be made strong! But we, incredibly, let pride rob us of that great gift at times. [kick in green eggs and ham]

We taught a child of record at the Bishop's request the past couple of weeks who was baptized on Sunday after the block. Their speaker on baptism couldn't make it because of the 'intense snow' outside so they asked me right before sacrament to give the talk on baptism. Surprising how just the past week I had been studying baptism excessively at the request of our transfer focus. Isn't it amazing how the Lord will prepare us?

We have a YSA that is helping us teach the Green Eggs and Ham investigator. He hasn't been to Church in a while but claims to be Mormon during the week and Presbyterian on Sundays (paid to sing in the choir). Well last night I was pretty bummed out because people were hanging up the phone on us a lot and dropping us left and right. He called us and let us know he is quitting his job so he can be a Mormon for the entire week now. Awesome!

Well we have had some great success and major let downs but the work and progression continues. I am starting to learn in the times of struggle to get down on my knees and ask what is the bigger picture and what am I supposed to learn from this? It is helping a lot. One of our members says it like this, "you have 2 years to serve and your whole life to think about it".

I need to work harder.

Love Elder Metcalf

This Week

Hawaii is lame compared to Nacogdoches....!

Well the first half of the week started super high then sort of went a little downhill, sadly.

We made sure we got all of our contacts in this week so we could reap the blessings of a full teaching pool. Interesting how I can use my 'no care' attitude to talk to anyone now. Makes for some interesting stories.

We went to the University campus to contact during lunch on Tuesday which turned out to be a fantastic decision. I did find out on our zone leader exchange later in the week that apparently this University is famous for temptation. (I have yet to experience any). We started by talking to any 'potential priesthood' holders but for some reason they are satisfied with the way life is and didn't make much headway. We were there for about an hour talking to about 50 students usually in groups that didn't take much interest. That's about when I started to go a bit crazy because no one was interested! I gotta admit it is quite fun approaching a couple, who is clearly dating, about eternal marriage. Sometimes it works out well. We were on our way out to leave when we noticed a member who is going to the school. She was with her friend. "Elder Braford, is her friend a member?"

"not yet"

So of course we approached her and she knew exactly what was up. Not too much interest was taken until I pulled out the ultimate University student contacting tool...

Mom's Book of Mormon version of Green Eggs and Ham!

Yes! She said she would try it out. Ahhh if only I listened to my parents more.

To continue this awesome teaching experience I would have to mention how hard Elder Braford and I have been working on improving our teaching skills and the payoff is huge. Last week we were blubbering fools compared to this week (the Spirit makes up our meager difference for trying). We role play something everyday and it is drastically helping. We are determined to make every lesson the best lesson we have had.

So cue in the girl we found on campus. She explained how unfair after the Restoration lesson how simple the Gospel really is and that it makes complete sense. She has deep Methodist roots but that can be recognized as a good thing. We committed her to a soft baptismal commitment (more on that later), to read all of 1st Nephi, pray about it, and come to Church. Well she initially said that she wouldn't be able to make it because she sings in a church choir each Sunday to which our reaction was "....green eggs and ham..." and she ditched choir yesterday to go to church. sweet.

We had a awesome zone meeting on Wednesday at which they drilled it into our heads to make sure to commit to baptism on every 1st lesson. Low and behold when you do what an Apostle asks, it works... imagine that. The very first lesson after that meeting, we went to a lady whom Elder Bradford has taught a little bit once, and I have never met. She accepted baptism on the 31st. Interesting how that works. Once again another person who reads the Book of Mormon and hears the Joseph Smith story and says "it makes sense and the light is turning on."

Elder Braford and I went to teach a family who had just gone through the temple for the first time not too long ago. (18 month old convert). It was pretty close by an investigator's home and when we pulled in for the lesson and investigator's husband said "come on over!" So I sent Elder Braford over because he is a fantastic missionary to commit them while I took care of the simple active lesson. Elder Braford came back so excited. He set the room on fire with the spirit and 2 baptismal dates. Pretty cool experience. (sadly they did not come to Church so the 2 will have to be postponed)

We were determined to get 20 contacts through tracting in 1.5 hours on Saturday which proved to be a slight challenge. The first door we knocked said to come back another time and slowly but surely most everyone we met declined after that. We had 19 contacts with 5 minutes left and tried the first house again that told us to come back. Well the husband was finally home but said to come back at 7. Which we did.

We taught the Restoration lesson and he was way stoked on the Book of Mormon and was easily committed to read and pray about it. Really sincere people that we look forward to teaching this week.

How did we approach them? Something I had read in Grandpa Metcalf's letter he had sent to me that I had received when we left the apartment to go over there to tract. It was about approaching men and families about how they can hold and be blessed by the priesthood in their homes. Its nice to know how resilient the Gospel is on an approach that was printed off in 1983 for Grandpa's missionaries when he was a President. Pretty cool to put the 'same Gospel today, yesterday, and forever' truth to the test,

Last night we ended on a high note. Just as we finished up our contacts for the week (it was getting dark) a member called and asked for a blessing for her non-member husband. Zoom and we were there. I can not begin to explain the sacred events I have seen on this mission thing completed by the priesthood power. So I wont. But what an awesome joy it is to be an instrument in Heavenly Father's Gospel to be able to use the priesthood. In a way it is a bit heart sickening to understand the amount of homes that are without. Bigger drive to find more potential priesthood holders!

Ughh how I hate rejection though (I thought that was done away with in high school) but here on the mission I take it very personally.

"Don't you know the magnitude of this message!?"

"Just please, I beg of you, to try the Green Eggs and Ham, you will like it like it you will see!"

Love you all so much

Uncle Elder Metcalf

congrats on the fun trip to Hawaii. However out of all the places in the world to miss its gotta be Lake Powell... Good thing its freezing there!

Last Week

I am now banished to the far reaches of the mission, East Texas! I'm in a town called Nacogdoches (not misspelled) and the area is massive. We cover 2.5 counties and needless to say the bike has only seen a little action lately. My new companion is only 6 weeks younger than me in the mission so President has put a couple 'greenies' together to thrash the nation of this rather large area. No problem. His last companion apparently wasn't very solid at leadership so we are excited to be together and there are good attitudes all around.

Elder Braford was made the designated driver which has increased my testimony of the existences of angels and heavenly protection. "car...car...CARRRR!!!" ahh its fantastic. Lots of laughs. "people...people...PEOPLE!!!"

It took me about 7 hours to get here from the transfer meeting. Elder Williams (senior missionary in the office) drove us out and was laughing about Nac-a-nowhere for a while. We got dropped off about 2/3 the way here and were picked up by some members who drove us (me and the new Spanish Nac-a-baptize Elder) the rest of the way. I made one of the most terrible mistakes of my mission and left my backpack in a town called Lindale. Let me tell you how much of my life and soul is in that thing. My studied out preach my Gospel, my journal that hasn't missed an entry in 6 months, and my scriptures. wooopps. But the zone leaders found it and I get it back on Wednesday. Not having those items drained me of a lot of study power sadly. Still got in a lot of studying but I needed my reference notes and marked up scriptures! And now the reason why I left my backpack in the middle of east Texas... I forgot to say a prayer in the morning before leaving the Nesmith's in Frisco. Wow, a simple, yet monumental mistake! That's a testimony grower.

I have been more diligent on writing down anything that I may believe is personal revelation and it is helping out a lot. #1 being that the very first action I complete every morning is, you guessed it, prayer. Before I even have time to think straight I have to be automatically on me knees praying for guidance and help. I'm lost without it! (like a back pack left in Lindale).

#2 was to stop fearing man! "fear God fear God fear God" is what runs through my mind now. The first night I was here on Tuesday was a fun one. We went to Walmart to contact in the parking lot. The very first lady I had the chance to "raise my voice of repentance" to called security on us and we were kicked out nicely. Ahhhh....Anti...Not so glorious.

We went to a town in our area about 40 miles east of Nac-a-nowhere (imagine being in the middle of nowhere and then going to the middle of that). Apparently it has had a history of running missionaries out of town. It was pretty exciting. Of course, really, the people were nice. We smiled when thinking about how to explain to our contacts how to get to the Church building a 'few miles' away.

We went up to the north part of our area on Thursday (imagine the middle of the middle of nowhere and go to the middle of that) to find some less actives. All of which didn't exist. We shared miles and took the Spanish elders with us so they got a lesson in. We nearly died on the highway with a thousand U-turns and stops. Eventually our efforts become futile and we got a picture at the town sign.

We went to a park on Saturday to do some contacting. Right when I got out of our car fear started to fight its way into my system. I walked around aimlessly before asking myself "do you remember who you are?" so I 'ate the frog' and looked for a really hard contact to make so the ice could be broken. Needless to say the Nacogdoches cops weren't too interested in the message.

We are in a college town so there are tons of students our age. The harvest is great and very few seem to worry about their eternal salvation for the time being. It was a guided moment though when I approached a group of students explaining how families can be together forever. Eventually it filtered down to a girl that we were talking to. She wanted to know more considering she and her husband had just had 2 miscarriages.

Most of the investigators I have yet to meet. I'm relying on a lot of Elder Braford's knowledge of the people and it seems to be getting us through just fine. We met with a lady who teaches Sunday school at her church yet loves our discussions. She asked "why doesn't my church teach this?" and is now teaching the plan of salvation in her Sunday school class. well, its all truth...

The ward is fantastic. Really good people and a few awesome mullets. The Bishop is on top of things with his effort in the "rescue." The leaders are solid and are working hard to activate the other 500 people.

The new area is awesome and I look forward to working here for what I hope will be a long time. Lots of room for personal growth (just as soon as I get that backpack back). It was interesting to see the town for the first time and have it seem very familiar.

Well wish me luck in Nac-a-baptize

Love Uncle Elder Metcalf

address:
4100 North Street #D-109
Nacogdoches, TX 75961

Oh Canada!

So I forgot to warn y'all last week about transfers coming up....

And yes, I am being transferred. Whoops!

Ahhh It's painful.

Immediately my reaction was - "they can't take me from my home!"

Next thought was the converts - Felipe, Vanessa, Jim, Stephanie, Krystin...ughhh

I started packing and forgot my planner so who knows what I am going to write this week. We got a new Bishopric in the 2nd ward which makes the transfer all the more difficult. The Bishop is 35, which seems to be the trend in Frisco. Bro McDonough was told 2 hours before the meeting that he was called as 1st counselor along with Bro Alfaro. And they are so missionary minded! But I am leaving.

Well as Bro Nesmith keeps telling me, it's time to move on change is good and necessary (who moved my cheese?)

This week proved to be a challenge. My companion was unable to go out and I was left to run the show. Lucky for me, the Spirit made up a lot of the difference. By Friday night I was exhausted and somehow planned 5 lessons and a blitz. It was sweet. Definitely a growing experience so I was privileged to have the opportunity to take to the plate.

On Saturday we had a lesson with a 2 year investigator named Eric. Man, he is so close... a couple weeks ago we started the lessons over again and it has been a sweet experience for all of us. I had total control over the Plan of Salvation this past week and my goal was to teach the most simple lesson in my power. It was a great experience because I realize just how much sometimes we complicate the simple Gospel and constantly add conditional statements because we're scared of the receptiveness of the truth.

Then we got to the Atonement... interesting how so many have misconceptions about just how incredibly powerful it is. (believe me, I am not implying that I know anymore then a fraction of a percentage about it.) My understanding is growing everyday that I wake up and say "alright, I'm gonna trust you today..." I have no idea why it seems so scary at times. To trust an infinite and eternal God that wants nothing more then to make me happy. Something what comes to mind is the fact that I am purging the 'dirt of the bloodstream' that may have been built up over several years of mistakenly trusting in myself and no others. Lesson learned.

We had our dates fall through for the family that was committed a couple of weeks ago. It was devastating and I let them know it. Forgive me if this may sound prideful but I get frustrated after someone testifies to me that they have felt the Spirit testify of truth (something glorious that they have never felt before) and then back out on it. All because of the opinion of someone else about the Church. But I must admit, I have known the truth my whole life so I must be more understanding about how they feel. They will be baptized. I know it. Elder Walker will be able to follow through on that easily.

The blitz we had was super fun. I assigned myself to Elder Astle who is a Spanish missionary and he was sooo stoked to knock the richest neighborhood in the area. The results were pretty typical but it was awesome to be with someone totally excited to preach the word. Even to the great and spacious buildings. I sent some Elders to do some soap boxing and apparently they talked to a hundred people and loved it. Very cool.

We have a recent convert here that has a friend. His main goal before he dies is to 'de-mormonize' her. Fantastic! Another testament that the truth is restored. Paul rejoiced every time a rock was thrown at him. Must be doing something right. I have no idea why so many want to destroy everything they can about the truth but the thought of just how smart and cunning the adversary is against the truth comes to mind. "you don't have it, you're not special, therefore, it's not true!" and on and on. My goal in my the next area the Lord has assigned me to is to start smiling every time something "anti" or related happens because it usually means that I am upsetting the enemy. He's not happy with me. Sweet. I need to work harder. The harder I work, the more Satan does to throw stumbling blocks in my way, the more guardian angels I receive, the louder the voice of the Lord gets...

Elder Thurgood picked me up and took me out tracting in the area since I was getting trunky for missionary work (that is the only way I will ever use that swear word [trunky]). Not a whole lot of people were home and so we decided to start flagging down cars. I got one lady to stop and it kills me just how desperately I knew she wanted the fullness of the Atonement, but I couldn't get her to commit.

We decided to flee to a gas station and start washing windows there to contact people but before I raised my voice to declare repentance we were kicked out by a dude in a golf cart - go figure.

On Friday I got stuck at the house with my dead companion for a few hours so I read the Book of Genesis. Man, I didn't realize just how awesome the Bible was. I had read most of it before but wow, reading on the mission after a much greater understanding of the Gospel makes studies all that much cooler.

On to Exodus.

It is pretty crazy to ever think that any religion would ever think to run themselves off of a book without ever stopping to think that no book on heaven or earth is as knowledgeable as God. We read the Book of Mormon and then say - ask God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, they all have something in common with any other Prophet for that matter "The Lord spoke to [the prophet]" Sadly the battle continues to convince others that the Bible doesn't have all the answers - God does. The Book of Mormon and Bible point us always in the form of revelation. That's all the words ever were, revelation.

Well sorry I haven't expounded more fully on the week. But I am a bit blindsided by the transfer coming up and I'm laughing my way out of the sadness in it.

Love you

Uncle Elder Metcalf