Tough joy is one of the ways to describe missionary work.

Tyler was baptized yesterday and the baptism, I don't think, could have been any better. To set it all up we (I say 'we' because I have been here long enough) got a new Bishop who is actually Brother Nicholas. It wasn't a surprise to many of us though, because he is pretty stalwart. Uniquely enough, he and his family have fed us probably double or more than any other member here. He is also Tyler's Spanish teacher at the High School. So, at the baptism, Bishop (or Mr. Nicholas) had several of his students, because they were all Tyler's friends, in attendance. He bore a strong testimony which I don't think could have been more perfect. Within a couple hours of Bishop Nicholas' setting apart, one of his students was baptized whom he has helped teach the entire time. Coincidence? Ya right... Especially considering we postponed the baptism 2 weeks for the 31st.

Tyler asked me to do the baptizing which surprised me. Quite frankly, I think I was the most nervous one in the biggest audience we have ever had. We had mostly youth take care of the baptismal program and a couple of young women sang "When I am baptized." If any of you know me well enough, then you would understand that hands down, that is my favorite hymn and scripture. I think more than any other part of the baptism, that is when I felt the Spirit the strongest. Maybe it was because my nerves were running a bit high walking into the font. Ahhh, baptism. The central invitation of all my teaching. He'll be confirmed next week, I am curious to hear of anything that may be asked in Bishop Nicholas' Spanish class today.

Saturday night was pretty intense. We had a booth at the cities "Scare on the Square" which was packed with families. Bishop Nielson came down to help and we always have hilarious discussions. The question he asked me when we were filling pales, pumpkins, and bags with candy, pass-a-longs, and pamphlets was "What do you think President Monson would say if he saw us down here supporting a holiday like this?" Another funny thing to note is there was about 30 other church booths around us. We had the Spanish Elders with us so I sent out the 2 Jr companions while the old guys manned the booths. Apparently Elder Jones went out and contacted half the church booths and in the process, a lady came up to him and Elder Beihl and said "You ready to walk with me?" After a brief conversation he had met someone that knows the Book of Mormon to be true and loved the Spirit on temple square. You cant go wrong with a companion that has tons of fire which I attribute most, if not all, to our success. At scare on the square we gave out over 1000 pass-a-longs, and about 400 pamphlets, 20 copies of the Book of Mormon. The interesting thing about this is that we ran out of all our supplies. It is a unique situation to be in...

I wrote in tough joy at the top because we have been meeting the most prepared people I have taught the entire mission. The spirit in the lessons has been obvious. The investigators feel the truth and accept baptism. The odd thing about it all, is that we never hear from them again. No phone calls answered or messages returned. In some cases they send their friends out the very next day after the lesson to tell us they aren't home. It is sad when they leave the blinds open and then wave at what I thought was the golden investigator at that point. I think there is a process which Satan goes through with each investigator that ultimately destroys their Faith in the message of the Restoration. After a very powerful lesson I am sure he laughs and says "Really Elder Metcalf? is that all you got?" then goes through the normal routine of some anti from a close family or friends then whispers into the ear of the golden contact "come on... seriously, no way. Baptism? that would mean you would actually have to do something..."

As of now I am pondering more battle tactics against my enemy. A stronger testimony? Yes. Better teaching skills? Yes. More Faith and boldness? Yes. The game has been set, the field is white, and the opponent is growing stronger. What can I do to better my team?

A big success this week was a man named Willy that the Spanish Elders tracted into and referred to us. He is wanting and desiring more spiritual satisfaction in his life. We went to his home and it was a bit odd because he didn't let us in and we talked on his doorstep for half an hour. He agreed to a Church tour after using some "How to begin teaching points" from Preach My Gospel. The unique thing about this is that he actually came! He loved the Church. He felt the Spirit. He came to Church on Sunday! Loved it. Felt it. I ended up teaching Gospel Principles (a calling that was extended 40 minutes before it happened) and I felt the Spirit actually working through me and Willy participated a lot. He answered many inspired questions in a way that the Spirit entered into his heart more. I look forward to the next lesson we have with him because we talked a lot on baptism!

Another joyful experience Elder Jones and I have is that we get on our bikes and go out to contact. Ha! Its fun. Tracting is becoming a activity that is less routine. We have had great experiences getting out there and finding where that Spirit, that we all desperately want, may be.

Love Elder Metcalf