Fast Forward!

A convert in gospel principles class asked a question that really had new meaning to it. A question that if we grow up in the Church we usually tend to ask after instructing the class to turn to a certain scripture, "is it in the Bible or Book of Mormon?" If you were like me in seminary it was always 'hide the fact you are looking in the index for that particular book.' I think we underestimate just how awesome that question really is. Think if all the believers of the Bible understood the Book of Mormon to be from the same source and ultimately, with faith, ask "Is that gospel principle in the Bible or Book of Mormon?"
Awesome.

Reading the Book of Mormon and intensively underlining the doctrine as challenged by President and Sister Smith I have discovered a new book (always the case while reading the Book of Mormon again). I finished Jacob and went on through the Words of Mormon this week and some things that really stood out to me was that Jacob really focused on...you guess it... hearing the voice of the Lord. Then his son testifies the same way but then ultimately you get down to where the plates are not written upon for a few generations. My judgment tells me that they weren't listening!

Seems like driving around in this area is like going to Salt Lake and back all in the same day. We drove out to Center to find referrals that still had yet to be contacted from 10 months ago and did some tracting. It was really weird how desperate I got to find someone around there to baptize. I have to admit that it seems as though that I am still learning some essential pieces to connect the dots for my missionary power to intensify. One of those became pretty obvious as discovered on Sunday.

I think we as missionaries tend to 'over plan' at times. Occasionally there are plans detailed to the point where we limit the Spirit working through us. Something that I learned through the Atonement and through the Spirit before coming out was how the Spirit (at least for me) tends to direct you in a large area (such as do this, go here, try this, remember this in that year) then if we listen we will begin to narrow down (now do this, go there, that's right, remember that month and day) until ultimately if we're still tuned in and following, receive line upon line what we are led to (that house, this man, this moment.) That actually happened yesterday and it was awesome. We got out of Church and our usual routine was to go home and have something to eat (or in other words - limit the Spirit.) Instead a particular subdivision came to mind that is on our way home. Incredibly I felt something as we got closer and the fear in the critical moment welled up inside me and I looked at Elder Braford and said "were tracting here." He said remarkably "I felt it too." We pulled into the subdivision, got out of the car, and looked to feel where to go. Literally I knew that the subdivision was not where to knock so we walked out onto the nearby street, looked both directions and listened. We walked to where we thought was right. Knocking the first door, there was no answer, 2nd door no answer. But then we saw a truck pull into the first door. Immediately we both went to the truck. Right as the driver had got what he wanted and started to get into his truck he saw us... His name is Cody and his response was "please...please come back."

Glorious.

We taught one of the coolest plan of salvation lessons on Friday to a Brother and Sister. it was less then 20 minutes and we had finished but she simply raised up her head from the Book of Mormon and said "it all makes sense now." Her brother who saw us coming wasn't exactly thrilled but heard the last half of the lesson and his response was "now I know what you guys are about and I wont avoid you anymore." Awesome.

We have had a couple more intense lessons about authority and the one true Church and we probably would have dropped one of our investigators if she hadn't opened a huge door to us, "why don't you come teach my Church?" So yes umm not dropped.

The Nac ward is way awesome. Apparently they have the highest attendance in the stake now and everyone is way excited that the overflow has to be opened each week. Last week Elder Braford counted 28 less actives at Church which is beyond me. I still only know a fraction of the members.

We had another really good week and still have 2 overage youth that are stoked on baptism. I must confess that I do have an ulterior motive by having them set the example for their mother. It is interesting to note that I didn't think I would ever challenge someone to get married. I cant believe I have been through a third of this mission already. I still haven't learned enough! Crunch time

Love you
Uncle X2 Elder Metcalf

Speaking of which, my race for favorite child has drastically been damaged. But somehow I find joy in that even knowing I will have 2 one year old nephews (or nieces) before I ever see them. Wow. Sure is awesome though, wish I could have seen the reaction on y'all's faces!