We taught an incredible week, better than last week I would say and then the whole world came crashing down yet again on Sunday when not a single one of our investigators showed up to Church. Heartbreaking. A good member friend came up to me and pulled up Moroni 9:6 on his iPhone and sent me on my way.

We are tackling some interesting situations here, our top investigators are smoking and living together unmarried. Apparently that is typical East Texas. The one we have been teaching for a awhile has finally let us in on this concern and has kicked the habit for the past week now. We call her everyday and she is still going strong. It was awesome that night we went over there.

I put Elder Braford in charge of the week and all the teaching plans so he was teaching the entire lesson with this family and it was really cool because it gave me a chance to really muster up the little faith that I had, to pray my little heart out in my mind that the Spirit would touch their lives. It was also very unique because Elder Braford was doing all the talking. It gave me a chance to read the body language and discern any trouble. She said she has always had trouble accepting Joseph Smith but that didn't sit right with us. Finally the underlying concern of smoking was divulged by the Spirit and the lesson was then taken over with the Word of wisdom. We went through the steps of preach my gospel and gave her a blessing after which she said she was peaceful. It sure was fun to send her kids to go get me all the tea and cigarettes so we could throw them away. She says a new light has entered into her life.

We had exchanges on Thursday and one of the Spanish elders came with me. After we grabbed some pizza we had some time to go out and find. I prayed specifically for someone by the 5th door and then we went knocking. No luck on contacts 1-4 but they were full of a lot of laughs. "Hey we're missionaries, can we come in?" "No" "What do you do for work?" "I'm an electrician" "How would you like to super charge your faith in Christ?" "No thanks" Then we got to the 5th door of knocking and I don't think anyone answered or they weren't interested at all. At that time I begin to think that I am lacking the faith. However we had to go anyway and as we were about to leave a lady walked out of her house and I made a contact with her. "May we come over and share a Gospel message?" "Yes" "Which apartment do you live in? This door that you are by?" "Yes, apartment #5." At that point I am sure Heavenly Father had a smile on his face. We taught her the next day and she was extremely golden. Has been praying for the right Church, likes the structure of the Catholic church but believes that it is missing something, etc etc... We walked out of that lesson laughing in awe.

But lightening struck and we got a phone call Sunday right before sacrament that she had family that told her to "stay away from that church..." ...Have I ever told y'all how much I HATE ANTI! We will go back on Tuesday hopefully to salvage anything we can. Please pray.

We have been experiencing many miracles, we didn't get into any doors alone until Thursday because we had too many return appointments (most fell through) so we said a prayer and it was a jump out of the comfort zone that often yielded much success.

However without anyone in Church this week, all the lessons were basically in vain. Nearly killed me off on Sunday so I prayed for comfort and a former investigator family randomly walked in having never ever come to church before. Wow. The Lord provides.

Well I get a new companion and a new car tomorrow so I am a bit excited but I have to leave my area for a while considering were out in Nac-a-nowhere to go find these new items. Kind of crazy how literally it is to have the Lord trust us with a part of the vineyard.

Its pretty cool to look at how the growth has taken over whenever I go out and do something even at times when I have no idea what to do or its the first time. The Lord provides. Its a fact that the worst sleep I have ever got in my life is out here serving but I have more energy and fun each day and am supported through every affliction when I am doing His work. Awesome.

Love you all

Elder Metcalf