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