Never Again

I think I may have been the "Oh Elder what did you do to deserve that?" 26 weeks ago but it whipped me into shape!

This past week was pretty fun but its about the hottest most exhausting week of my mission. On Saturday we opted to set up a booth at the famous "Nacogdoches Trade Days" where about 6 people show up every 3rd weekend. Well in all seriousness it was a good experience. We had zone conference on Thursday and I remember President Smith talking about how we need to sacrifice personal comfort and go through the trials of our Faith to receive a witness. As the first hour or 2 went by I think we had a couple of Spanish people walk in and talk for a bit. By that point, we had about 10 "FREE" signs everywhere and still nothing was happening (the vendors next to us were noting how the swap meet customers here are terrible.) So I decided that I should put in my part a little bit more. I thought I could just stand up and give out pamphlets. There was just one problem... In between the padded chairs and the walkway filled with people was a 3 foot strip of death. They call it the "Texas Sun in summer." With one small sigh I stood in the thing handing out pamphlets and getting contacts for a couple of hours before finally switching out and getting a fairly priced $4 lemonade. Although no huge miracles happened, I can be satisfied knowing I committed a little bit harder to get the message (and 200 pamphlets) out there.

As for Kontessa (the girl that wants to get baptized) we had an interesting concern come up. She lives about 25 miles east of the church and comes with her member grandparents each week. We teach in the grandparents home as well. The 'something' that came up was her grandfather getting into a car accident, totalling his truck, and spending a few days in the hospital. That was crazy enough for us to step back for a few days. It was funny when we visited him in the hospital and he told us "just go on down and teach!"

Sacrament meeting yesterday turned out to be extremely interesting as far as the speakers go. It was high council Sunday and his speaking buddy wasn't able to come. About 4 minutes before Sacrament had begun, he came to us and shook our hands and the usual exchange of pleasantries was made. To which he then informed us that we would both be speaking...today...in 20 minutes. In all seriousness, it was fun and Elder Taylor and I both enjoyed it. I spoke on the how we all have fears or nightmares or are scared at some point in life. It happens to all of us whether we are totally faithful, sinful, or just trying to get along in life. It reminded me of Joseph Smith, who was totally faithful by praying to Heavenly Father, was overcome by the powers of Satan or Alma who brought upon himself the 'inexpressible horror' or Amulek who had to watch faithful saints die. No matter the story, they all have the climax of Jesus Christ and the Atonement and all is well. "I saw a pillar of light..." "joy as exquisite as my pains" "they were received unto God."

We have been doing everything we can to find a family to teach and baptize. We pretty much only tract in 'family' type neighborhoods, using the power of prayer and fasting, and desperately trying to teach. The results have been awesome. On Sunday we had a part member family move their records into the ward and expressed a desire to get back to Church. We have had some good referral experiences, as well as some great progress with some of our investigators. The Lord will bless us somehow, but in His way and his time. I don't doubt it at all. It does create a unique burning desire though to never really waste any more time.

Well we have some new investigators that will be fun to teach and see how and where their commitment is. I try not to spend as much time with those that don't really commit at all anymore. Somehow it will give us more opportunity to baptize!

We have been working with a couple of different investigators for a while now that both believe the Book of Mormon is true. The problem that they are having is the close ties to their own churches for over 5 decades. One of them we stopped by to teach had company. He responded by saying "I believe the Book of Mormon is true but next time tell me why your church is the one I need to join." The other, in one of our lessons, knows that the reason she is receiving so much opposition is because of the truthfulness of our message. Her pastor actually prepared a whole sermon on 'going down the wrong path.' When she expressed this in her last lesson my response was "Forget about the words that were said and remember how you have felt." She said she knows it's true, it is now the acting on her part that is making her nervous... Pretty unique. Just writing about it gives me some sweet ideas for the coming lessons.

Well its hot but not really. If I sit down or have a "extended dinner message" I am in lots of pain and totally exhausted but as I go out and work,the Atonement takes over. No pain, not tired. As President Monson said, When you are doing the Lord's work, you are entitled to his help. Wow how true that is...

Love Elder Metcalf