Allen 5 & 7

Back in the big city and it is a little bit of a culture shock. My new companion Elder Hall said it was pretty funny to watch me, with blank stares and looking around the apartment when I first got there. The ward boundaries are tiny. We do cover a singles branch as well, which covers a massive area. It has been pretty cool to see how the Lord is helping me with my faulty memory. Maybe I am just getting used to a transfer finally since I didn't see one for a third of my mission. But the area we cover is much like Frisco. Funny thing about Elder Hall is that I replaced him when he left Frisco. We had a few similar spiritual experiences in Frisco as well which was kind of a joy to rekindle. As far as investigators go, we are working hard to set dates like crazy. We prayed for the opportunity to set 3 baptismal dates on Thursday and the Lord answered our prayers the following night with a family that we tracted in to. The sad challenge still seems to be getting these people to Church. We will be enlisting a lot of help from the members. There is much more success when they do the knocking and inviting to make sure they come Sunday. The YSA ward starts at 3:00 which was kind of a shock getting out at 6 and finding it was dark.

One of the first things I noticed was all of the people. There are so many contacting opportunities that kind of gives me a lot of energy and little direction. There was a car parked in a driveway with its lights on and when I saw it, a thought flashed in my mind to "go towards the light." The guy got out of his car and seemed to enjoy us having us get a hold of him. He had been taught in Mexico and made references to the Joseph Smith story and seemed to really like it. We got his info then referred him to the Spanish missionaries in the area.

We had a blitz on Saturday and I was sent to a richer area with a fairly new missionary. We offered some pleas for help and a dismission of fears and started knocking. Man, I kind of forgot that there are a lot of hard hearted people in North Dallas but for the most part it was a great experience. We knocked on one door and the guy came out and started talking to us. We asked if he had ever read the Book of Mormon to which he said "Yes, I like it a lot and it complements the Bible really well." I asked if he was a member and he responded "of what?" But we got his info and made a referral to the Elders in the area. Another man we knocked into went to SFA in Nac which was pretty sweet because we talked and connected real well about the area. He accepted a missionary visit and we took off.

We have a YSA named Ricky that Elder Hall has been teaching for a couple weeks and he and his member friend are really into video editing (the advantages of being a nerd as well as a ski bum are awesome). He is pretty well committed to be baptized this month but keep him in your prayers. The YSA branch is awesome and many referrals seem to be received each week. The branch presidency is very supportive as well because we teach a lot in their homes so it seems. Ricky has been reading and he described the few short verses we left him as "when I read them, I felt like I couldn't get enough of it. I needed to read more." The faith developed through the converting power of the Gospel is something I always have needed to work on. I am always impressed to hear the results of someone's sincere reading of the Book of Mormon. The faith required to do that seems very simply but miraculous every time it happens. Faith is a manifestation of one's desire.

I definitely miss Nac a lot. It is interesting now that I have so many joyful memories to choose from those precious 8 months. It helps me get through sometimes challenging, difficult or even tempting times. I really do feel strongly about the area I am in now. There has already been a few times where I am nearly brought to tears thinking about the massive amount of families here in the area and just to think of one, just one that may join, really puts a sense of urgency into myself. It has been unique to knock just a couple doors yet talk to so many people that are somehow outside already.

We had a meeting with the Stake President and the Zone on Saturday and he is stellar. He said "there are many many many people that are ready here." It is kind of driving me nuts really. WHERE ARE YOU! Thankfully when we have asked God, we have been lead exactly where we need to go. I would never be able to do this on my own. My own intellect has been challenged and failed every time I have used it. But, when the Spirit is involved, the wise become confounded.

Pray me some luck in Allen 5 & 7.

Love, Elder Metcalf