transfer calls

Some great unexpected things happened this week in Nac. I wont have very much time to write today though (there is never enough time.) Elder Taylor and I will be heading up to Lindale today for the transfer...

It was a interesting thing. I have been in Nac for 30 weeks now and with transfer calls and Saturday, I almost got out my suitcase early to get a head start. "For sure I am going this time" I thought to myself. Although Friday night I had an interesting dream that I would stay and train another missionary. "That was unique, but wont happen. I have been here too long!" Yet on Saturday night the call came... "Elder Metcalf, I am calling in behalf of President Smith, you will be staying in Nacogdoches and training a new missionary." So by the end of this coming transfer I will see all 4 seasons change, have had 4 companions (2 greenies) and watched conference twice in the same area. I love Nac though. I think they are talking about moving my records here as well...

This past week was awesome and lots of fun. We had another 3 day training in Longview that I had to attend. President Smith explained that much like the sacrament, we have to refresh ourselves on the same things. It was a good training though because he actually assigned the missionaries to run the show instead of President himself. Wednesday night we had a small miracle. Elder Christensen and I paired up (we always do, he is a Hemphill missionary and we get along well) and we only had 30 minutes to complete the Assistants challenge to give out a Book of Mormon to somebody. With that short amount of time and realizing that the neighborhood next to the church had been knocked out recently (some of which was my doing) we said a prayer that we would be able to give a Book of Mormon to someone in a car. With the prayer said we stood on the curb waving at people. That definitely didn't work so we moved down to a 4 way stop. It seemed like the closer we got, the more obvious California stops became. So we walked up the street a ways yet much to our disappointment no one was around. We were out of time so we began to walk back. At that moment a car broke down literally right next to us. We gave him a push home which was close by and handed out our copies of the Book of Mormon after some conversation.

We had a baptism yesterday for a 17 year old named Kontessa. Everything went well, the talks were good and the ward was supportive. Elder Taylor performed the baptism. She choked on some water and got scared but other than that all went well! We had a short testimony meeting while we waited for them to dry. Some great testimonies were shared. I think my favorite was when I looked back at Jody and then looked at the front of the room. It wasn't long before she gave a very spirit filled testimony.

Well I need to make a Book of Mormon booth for our open house tomorrow. I am way excited to be in Nactown still and pray for me to find those that are spiritually dissatisfied!

Love Elder Metcalf

PS CONFERENCE YES!!!

Good luck in the marathon dad!

out with the old in with the new

Howdy,

This past week was pretty fun, the mission has been contacting like crazy with some sweet results. Indirectly from our efforts, the Lord blessed us with an awesome new investigator named Tyler. He has had a lot of contact with friends in the church and even his Spanish teacher has helped out. Cant go wrong with an investigator that already has a big support group. We taught the first lesson to him on Thursday night and it went really well. He is 16 so the members actually set up the lesson at his place so his parents wouldn't be too shocked when he decided to get baptized. At the very beginning of the lesson, he asked for his Book of Mormon then said "man, I need more of these so I can turn others into Mormons." When we got to the first vision, I was super excited to teach it. Lately I have been working on quoting it with more power and more conviction. Needless to say a few seconds after explaining the significance of the first vision he, without reluctance, accepted a baptismal commitment.

The first vision is something that lately has become more important and more significant in my life. When you consider all of the fruits that have come from it, it is almost like all of our beliefs summed up. It is an extremely bold claim (two personages, not one) and brings many comfort when they know of its truth. In most of our 'dinner lessons' I quote the first vision and ask them "Why is it important in your life?" and the answers have strengthened my testimony. Think how children feel the spirit when a parent reassures them that 'yes, they really did appear to him.' Man, this Church desperately needs more testimony in the home.

Contacting this week was an experience. As I look back now I see that I tried to avoid tracting. It seems like when you trust that the Lord is the greatest micro manager ever, that the person in the gas stall next to you (or the furthest one away), the cashier at the checkout, the one who asks "hey do you work here?" just may be the one that is totally prepared to talk to you! It still gives me some butterflies but there really is no reason to be scared. I think there may be a reason that I wasn't foreordained to speak massonically like Isiah, I would probably start writing "good heavens people, just open your mouth. and NO is better then not trying at all."

The lesson with the Bennetts this week was awesome, my voice started to get shaky when the Spirit and feelings in the room were more personal and powerful. But its one of those lessons that is very special to me as a missionary that I cant type up! I want to share it with everyone but my heart, their heart, must be prepared to receive such a sweet lesson (I learned it from another missionary in Hemphill.) Twice that day I used that message and both times it brought tears, comfort and the Spirit. Yes, straight from the Book of Mormon.

This week I got a way sweet letter from Patriarch Edwards and it had some sweet, comforting messages in it. I will share only one. He wrote, "You will only be serving those who are dissatisfied spiritually." It has been something that I have been pondering over frequently. Is the reason we don't get into many well established Christian doors because they are satisfied with their beliefs? Can we truly be satisfied spiritually without the restored Gospel? Can someone accept parts of truth and be satisfied? Hmmm... (Get back to work Elder Metcalf was my response, find 'em!)

On Saturday we gave a church tour to Tyler and it went well. Elder Taylor led the way in a "Lance Starling" like tour guide voice. Hemphill used our building for a baptism with the lady I gave my first interview too. It was a good motivator.

They called a new ward mission leader with a man named... Brother Burr (I've already asked him). He's been in the ward for about a month and I had a feeling he would be called. With Bro Hughes no longer at the head of this thing here in Nac One, I am beginning to wonder with transfer calls this week if its out with the old, in with the new.

Anyway, open your mouths.

Love Elder Metcalf

They changed our email to today because of the Holiday.

Monday night after preparation day proved to be a bit funny. We had knocked on a door last week of a less active in the ward that we thought livde there. They let us know that she had moved to a different street. With no address and only a street name we went out to find her. On the records she was labeled as "Do not contact" but Bishop said we would be fine. Before getting out of the car we said a prayer asking that we would find her. As we got out we asked a man who was pulling in his trash can where she lived. He pointed us to the house and as we were walking there, she and her family pulled into their driveway. At this point you may be expecting some sweet story but she and her husband were actually pretty mad and wouldn't speak a word to us. But God did answer our prayer and reached His hand out to them, through us.

Tuesday night 'happy hour' with the Bennetts was awesome as usual although when I walked in she let me know that she had read my blog and it scared me for some reason. So since she is probably reading this right now, Hi Jody! We read Alma 46 together about Moroni going down the streets with the title of liberty and my question to y'all is "what would you put on your flag?"

Wednesday we had a tough lesson with one of our closest investigators. She wants to join the Church, loves the Book of Mormon and the teachings. For a while she had expressed concern about joining for fear of the temple ordinances. However she desires them and that seems to be enough to get over any concern - desire. The concern Cheryl has is that her family sat her down and explained all the reasons she shouldn't become Mormon. Her son is actually a pastor up in Sacul. They made her promise not to join. She said that she was disappointed in the choice of her family to dislike the Church so much and compared herself to Joseph Smith who, in some cases, received heavy persecution for no apparent reason. She did tell us that she crossed her fingers when she made the promise by saying "I wont join the church...right now." So pray for her. I imagine that this is one of those unique events that make missions tough...

Thursday's highlight was the backlot bash at SFA. Essentially all the new freshman had a giant meeting then were 'released' into the back lot of the arena where there was about 50 booths set up. We, of course, set up our booth (like trade days a few weeks ago) and attempted to lure in some hapless freshman. Before the event even started we had a young guy from the Bahama's approach us while we were finishing the set up. He asked about the difference between our Church and everyone else. He requested a Book of Mormon and we set up an appointment at the Church this coming week. I swear he's elect. He left and as soon as he was gone the thought crossed my mind 'I forgot to get a phone number...' so he walked back by again and said "I knew you would want this." and gave us his number. Other then that we gave out 10 copies of the Book of Mormon to those that took us up on the challenge to read and pray about it. Bishop is a professor at the college so he joined us. He made a funny comment that he only got to hand out 75 pass along cards whereas Elder Rice and I gave about 250 each out. Spread the word!

Friday we drove up to Timpson making various stop bys on the way up. Our first home we got into was actually an excommunicated family that is looking forward to rebaptism someday soon. Unfortunately he claims that he has trouble with crowds... Another stop was with a lady who said that missionaries always end up at her home when she needs them. We committed them to church.

Probably one of the coolest miracles this week was on Tuesday night when Elder Taylor and I did splits after dinner. Isaac who was with us needed to go to the bathroom so I made a couple phone calls on a list the Bishop gave us Sunday. The list was names on the directory of people with no address and no phone number. Well in one phone call I made contact with the mother who actually was the mom of half of our list. She was very happy that we had called and were 'checking in.' She has a non-member fiance who is interested in the Church and wants to learn more. Sadly they wont be back from working on pipelines until the end of October. Can anyone stay 9 months in Nac?

Anyway thank you for the pictures, I love them very much. That baby I swear always radiates happiness and energy. Awesome

Love y'all
Elder Metcalf

The past week was almost like fighting the natural man each day. Pulling up to a well established neighborhood in the air conditioned car with comfy seats and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is always something of an opportunity to either grow spiritually or damn myself with complaints. Once out of the car, the battle continues. The sun beats down its rays upon you with bug like beads of sweat rolling down your back attempting to torture you with the thought of a cool apartment. Yet somehow, for some reason we move on from door to door inviting others to come unto Christ. Most the time the reactions are "I'm already in [such an such] church" to which well devised and clever questions are asked, "Well don't you want to come closer to Christ?" Usually the response is negative and the door separates us from the potential member of the restored Gospel. Next door. The anxiety moving to the next door increases as you look over the house checking to see if they are staring at you and the book that you dare to hold. The bell rings, the door is knocked and the Spirit seeking process begins all over again. At the end, walking back to the car, the satisfaction and confirming pat on the back from the Spirit is almost as much as a huge success as each door was failure, making the energy spent, the Holy Ghost felt, the rejected testimony, totally 100% worth it.

We had a funny experience yesterday when we set up a visit to a active part member family that has had bad experiences with missionaries in the past. I have been in the area 6 months and this is the first time I have been in the home. The nerves were a bit high and my social skills were challenged trying to reestablish trust between a member and a missionary. The funny part of it all is that we had a dinner appointment right after this appointment who was under the impression that we had asked her to feed us dinner. So yes, the Elders had 2 dinner appointments on Sunday in Nac. It was a very interesting experience referring to the first dinner. I didn't feel welcome and yet the situation felt familiar, like I had been there before. She preferred that we didn't share a spiritual thought, so we didn't, and no miracles occurred. She had an excommunicated daughter there with extreme animosity towards the Church. Hmm, not sure what the Spirit was trying to teach me but I recorded the experience in my journal. As I was writing in my journal I realized that I had let the opportunity for testimony slip away for fear of a negative reaction. This should never phase me again. Lesson learned. Whether I was in that situation supposed to share a testimony or not, I was taught by the Spirit. And yes, was very very full by the end of the night.

On Saturday one of the members of the ward was buried, Brother Johnson. He was a member that would come out with us missionaries at a moments notice. I think he averaged teaching with us 2-3 times a week. He had served something like 4 missions. I don't think I have seen very many members like him who were serving so well in building up the kingdom. He certainly, in my opinion, sealed his Celestial exaltation. No doubt he was asked to fulfill big assignments in the next life that will continue to fill him with joy and commitment to always say yes to the will of the Lord. It was certainly a shock and depressing to hear of his passing but he had served well and it was a great privilege to witness his example and see his response when the call was made.

We had a very interesting lesson on Friday night with a 17 year old that has a baby and wants to be baptized. We knew that we had to teach the Law of Chastity but I think the fact that we taught her in front of her dad and grandparents may have caused some embarrassment on all of our parts. Yet she committed, no problem, and reconfirmed her desire to be baptized. We will continue to teach and check for testimony. The last thing I want to do is baptize someone who is doing it out of pressure. We invite, they commit, we follow up. Agency is a role that is hard to understand at times. Especially when you teach a great week yet 1 investigator comes to church. The stress piles up and 'whys' begin to pour out. Then the Savior tests your commitment to always remember him and engage in the greatest work ever.

We have been working with a few people who all believe the Book of Mormon to be true (who can dispute after reading and praying about it) the issue resides in the opposition they get from close range, family, friends, leaders. They know its true. But leaving life and relationships is so difficult. Sometimes hard for me to understand. My inward response tends to be "It's true isn't it? Then what else matters?" So the challenge for us has been to connect the dots with the center piece of the Restoration. These are wonderful children of God as we all are. I pray hard every night to know how to best serve them. Some of are most disgusted doors tell me that I was an instrument in my Saviors hands in reaching out to that person in a time of need in their life.

On Tuesday we did something a bit unusual. We opted not to tract and instead we stayed inside and called every single Less Active member on our list. As the Stake President put it "there is plenty of work to do within the ward itself." So we worked the list all day. It is amazing to me to hear such bitterness on the other end of the line and one phone call later hear "ya know Elders, I have been wanting to get active for awhile. Come on over." The choice to act and not to be acted upon will definitely assure you of happiness now and eternally.

Well as I reflect on the first year of the mission it surprises me to see how much change and refining I have been put under. I am very privileged to have recorded one page per day for the past year so I can feel who I used to be. Yet this doesn't satisfy me. Yes, awesome, its good but I see the first year as ground work of certain patterns of success that have been instilled in me that will help me become more efficient and grow much more substantially. I am not looking for a better person for me to become but for my very nature and innermost desires to become intimately closer with those of the Savior's. My desire is to become like Him isn't it?

Anyway thank y'all for your letters, love and support. I sure am sad to know I only have a short amount of time left to fill in what goals and experiences the Lord wants me to have but I am happy for the time nonetheless. Let the Battle continue and the Lord make me equal to every challenge. As I testify, he supports - no matter the pain, heat sickness, tiredness, and sadness.

Love Elder Metcalf