We had much more success this week. We put in more effort to find more people which always, in my opinion, demonstrates more ways for God to trust his missionaries.
We got back into the family's home on Thursday after much prayer. She had misinterpreted some things, so we were very happy to see them resolved. Unfortunately, like the rest of North Dallas, most all of her questions were from some anti movies. They may be sincere but it is evidence of the adversary and fulfilled prophecy that "the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." We had a fireside last night with investigators in the Stake and the Stake President spoke. She attended with her son and apparently it went really well. I was on splits with a couple other missionaries because we didn't want 8 missionaries in the room at once and so we went out to another appointment while Elder Hall worked his magic.
It was funny though because once again there was a connection made. We were at the Fisher's home in one of the Allen wards and his uncle is Bro Peterson.
We had an appointment this morning with a 28 year old who came to church yesterday. He stood up during introductions and said he had investigated the church in Canada and his best friend is a singles pastor of another church but that "This is it, this is the true church, y'all have it." Come to find out, he was already member though. He had a cool story but that was extremely tough. He was engaged to be married but when the family found out he was Mormon they did everything they could to get him to deny the faith. He of course began politely to say no but eventually one person became 50 and soon they all were trying to cast out 'mormon devils' from him. People were coming over to beat him up as well. The wedding was terminated. Tough! But like Elder Andersens and President Hinckley's talk "it's true isn't it? then what else matters?"
We have been working on our goals as a mission for next year. I have had a specific number of people to help baptize in 2011 in mind before leaving (wait...what??) the mission. It is interesting, setting goals is like setting a covenant. It is like I am being revealed what I can do and how to do it. I have a sweet way to help accomplish this goal and push my spirituality more. It is that each week, to focus on how to strengthen my 4 key relationships, set goals and make plans to accomplish it. Reference president Uchtdorf's last talk.
Anyway, sorry this is short. I will look forward to talking to you Saturday! Should be somewhere around 11:00 our time 10:00 yours.
Well love y'all
Elder Metcalf
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
This last week was full of meetings meetings meetings. Tuesday was my first zone leader council which was pretty sweet. Basically all the zone leaders hop in a room and discuss the needs of the mission. It was good to see some old longview out east buddies. Wednesday we had a zone council where the zone got together and Elder Hall and I trained on Revelation through Church Attendance. Thursday we had to wait for an exchange back from Greenville then weekly planning and Friday we had a specialized training from President Smith.
Our week was a bit rough in some ways that proved to be a bit humbling. Our tire went flat on the way home from Dallas on Tuesday so our afternoon was eaten up with a trip to pep boys for a repair. Later in the week after we got the mail at the end of the day the steering went when our alternator died which translates to having our car towed away and now were on bikes! No complaints (other than the cold) because our area is 7 square miles compared to Nac's 1500. Saturday we were good to go without a car until my companion's tire decided to complain and we had to walk around to get a new one. Oh, and the golden family we found and committed last week announced that they were offended by the Book of Mormon and for the strength of youth pamphlet. Odd.
Now on to the good news!
President Smith gave an awesome training on Friday which was very centered on the true meaning of Christmas. He went on to say that as we go out preaching the Gospel that we would see windows with trees, presents and families and we would yearn to be a part of that. Sharing the Gospel is the greatest gift anyone could give and this sacred time that we have here in the mission will no doubt be some of the most precious. At the beginning of the meeting we all practiced singing called to serve the same way the motabs do which was awesome considering there were 168 of us belting it out.
We had a couple exchanges this week. The first was with Elder Haslem from a little town called St George Utah who lives by desert hills high school. He is about to die in the mission so it was fun to be with him. We tracted in an apartment complex and the first guy to answer the door was actually a less active member who invited us to come back. The 2nd person to answer the door almost immediately brought up baptism as something she would like to do but didnt feel ready for it at this time. We did offer our help of course to make that a reality which she accepted.
The 2nd exchange was with Elder Harris up in Bonham. Man, that place was a lot like out east minus all the pine trees. It was kind of crazy how similar we were. He left on his mission late, came from a family of 4, etc etc... It was a great exchange. We were talking to one of his investigators on the porch before he let us into his home. I asked him 2 very direct questions "Dwayne, do you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?" he answered in the affirmative. Then "Do you believe the Book of Mormon is true?" Yes he answered. He was then committed to baptism. We also met with a former investigator in a heart breaking situation, she wants to be baptized but her staunch catholic husband is opposed. She was awesome and very happy. She attributed it to her reading of the Book of Mormon.
Yesterday we met with a long time investigator who allowed us to come in and teach unannounced. Elder Hall taught the Atonement very well, then I taught more towards how the Atonement relates to Life's eternal purpose. He was pretty stoked on that and for a few seconds I actually forgot he wasn't a member. The Spirit was pretty strong.
Sunday we also had a miracle call in which one of our members had stopped by the family who said they were offended but come to find out they were just a bit nervous with the whole sudden baptism thing. That is what happens when you don't read the Book of Mormon! Faith declines, fears increase.
Love Y'all
Elder Metcalf
Our week was a bit rough in some ways that proved to be a bit humbling. Our tire went flat on the way home from Dallas on Tuesday so our afternoon was eaten up with a trip to pep boys for a repair. Later in the week after we got the mail at the end of the day the steering went when our alternator died which translates to having our car towed away and now were on bikes! No complaints (other than the cold) because our area is 7 square miles compared to Nac's 1500. Saturday we were good to go without a car until my companion's tire decided to complain and we had to walk around to get a new one. Oh, and the golden family we found and committed last week announced that they were offended by the Book of Mormon and for the strength of youth pamphlet. Odd.
Now on to the good news!
President Smith gave an awesome training on Friday which was very centered on the true meaning of Christmas. He went on to say that as we go out preaching the Gospel that we would see windows with trees, presents and families and we would yearn to be a part of that. Sharing the Gospel is the greatest gift anyone could give and this sacred time that we have here in the mission will no doubt be some of the most precious. At the beginning of the meeting we all practiced singing called to serve the same way the motabs do which was awesome considering there were 168 of us belting it out.
We had a couple exchanges this week. The first was with Elder Haslem from a little town called St George Utah who lives by desert hills high school. He is about to die in the mission so it was fun to be with him. We tracted in an apartment complex and the first guy to answer the door was actually a less active member who invited us to come back. The 2nd person to answer the door almost immediately brought up baptism as something she would like to do but didnt feel ready for it at this time. We did offer our help of course to make that a reality which she accepted.
The 2nd exchange was with Elder Harris up in Bonham. Man, that place was a lot like out east minus all the pine trees. It was kind of crazy how similar we were. He left on his mission late, came from a family of 4, etc etc... It was a great exchange. We were talking to one of his investigators on the porch before he let us into his home. I asked him 2 very direct questions "Dwayne, do you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?" he answered in the affirmative. Then "Do you believe the Book of Mormon is true?" Yes he answered. He was then committed to baptism. We also met with a former investigator in a heart breaking situation, she wants to be baptized but her staunch catholic husband is opposed. She was awesome and very happy. She attributed it to her reading of the Book of Mormon.
Yesterday we met with a long time investigator who allowed us to come in and teach unannounced. Elder Hall taught the Atonement very well, then I taught more towards how the Atonement relates to Life's eternal purpose. He was pretty stoked on that and for a few seconds I actually forgot he wasn't a member. The Spirit was pretty strong.
Sunday we also had a miracle call in which one of our members had stopped by the family who said they were offended but come to find out they were just a bit nervous with the whole sudden baptism thing. That is what happens when you don't read the Book of Mormon! Faith declines, fears increase.
Love Y'all
Elder Metcalf
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Christmas Miracles!
After dedicating an hour every night to our wonderful "FFT" (Finding Family Time), we had a miracle. We had leadership training meetings 2 full days this week and were asked to provide our own lunch the night before the 2nd day. So after much ,we went to Wal-mart to pick up something fat and sugar free (I am still in the lead of the Biggest Loser). We were looking pretty gloomy at the soup cans in one of the aisles when a lady approached us asking if she could buy us some gloves. Initially, of course, we thought she was a member but as the conversation went from one question to about 30 minutes in Aisle 6 at Wal-mart, we soon discovered tears that humbled us and brought spiritual relief. We got her info and were very scared to look it up on the GPS for fear that this golden daughter of God may turn into a referral but it just so happened that she lived exactly on the border. We finally had an opportunity to set up a return appointment later in the week for Sunday evening. While in Church however, we received a text telling us that she had 'stuff' come up and would be unable to meet. My finger was on the phone ready to type the rescheduling reply but my companion stopped me and said we'll go over anyway. So after dinner we had coordinated for a couple to meet us there for the lesson. After minor talk on the doorstep and apologizing for getting her message and still coming over she let us in. After sometime and tears directed towards the member wife that was with us, we helped her do some cleaning around the home and then shared a short message. It was a humbling experience. All cards were in our favor. She has been told all the Anti, experienced both good and bad members and knows what we're about but wants to be baptized with her 4 kids in January. The better part of this report is that many members are already taking action. A phone call at 7:30am this morning from a Sister in the ward explained that she would be taking her kids over to meet their kids so they would feel comfortable going to youth night on Wednesday. Glorious
Leadership training was awesome this month. We had an amazing first day especially when one of the trainings done by a new district leader, was caught off guard. He was told to give his training on "Revelation through prayer" when someone had already given it and it was really supposed to be on "Revelation through the Book of Mormon." Things got exciting when the young district leader stood up, explained the dilemma and then went on to say "Well the Spirit is strong enough so I am just going to do revelation through the Book of Mormon training." It was one of the best trainings I've been in. It was unique to hear powerful testimonies (especially since President Smith was present - an extremely passionate man when it comes to the Book of Mormon.) We had an awesome role play that same day and I felt grateful to be a part of it probably because I needed it the most. The situation was that we had a person who didn't want to pray because of intense family opposition to the Church. I have no idea where I heard or read this from but it really built my testimony as I testified in this role play "Think and feel how much Heavenly Father loves His Son Jesus Christ. Their relationship was outstanding. All that love is incomprehensible to our finite minds, the love is so pure and infinite. Now understand this, Heavenly Father loves you as much as our Savior Jesus Christ."
Well already I am running low on time so I will do my best to sum up the rest of the week. We had a fun exchange with the assistants this week and we did splits so I was with one assistant and Elder Hall with the other. We went to an appointment and had with us a member who has a brother in the 70. Needless to say, this troublesome investigator was in for a surprise. Halfway through the conversation he explained that going off feelings is such a dumb idea. The member looked at him and said "Do you love your wife?" Later in the conversation I asked "If you knew the Holy Ghost was speaking to you, would you believe it?" Then the Assistant went on to explain the Holy Ghost.
We set another date with someone on the first lesson who sadly lives out of our boundaries but it was such a fun lesson. Elder Hall and I went in there with so much passion towards the Book of Mormon that it could almost be said it was like Nephi who's words could not be disbelieved.
I love y'all
Elder Metcalf
Leadership training was awesome this month. We had an amazing first day especially when one of the trainings done by a new district leader, was caught off guard. He was told to give his training on "Revelation through prayer" when someone had already given it and it was really supposed to be on "Revelation through the Book of Mormon." Things got exciting when the young district leader stood up, explained the dilemma and then went on to say "Well the Spirit is strong enough so I am just going to do revelation through the Book of Mormon training." It was one of the best trainings I've been in. It was unique to hear powerful testimonies (especially since President Smith was present - an extremely passionate man when it comes to the Book of Mormon.) We had an awesome role play that same day and I felt grateful to be a part of it probably because I needed it the most. The situation was that we had a person who didn't want to pray because of intense family opposition to the Church. I have no idea where I heard or read this from but it really built my testimony as I testified in this role play "Think and feel how much Heavenly Father loves His Son Jesus Christ. Their relationship was outstanding. All that love is incomprehensible to our finite minds, the love is so pure and infinite. Now understand this, Heavenly Father loves you as much as our Savior Jesus Christ."
Well already I am running low on time so I will do my best to sum up the rest of the week. We had a fun exchange with the assistants this week and we did splits so I was with one assistant and Elder Hall with the other. We went to an appointment and had with us a member who has a brother in the 70. Needless to say, this troublesome investigator was in for a surprise. Halfway through the conversation he explained that going off feelings is such a dumb idea. The member looked at him and said "Do you love your wife?" Later in the conversation I asked "If you knew the Holy Ghost was speaking to you, would you believe it?" Then the Assistant went on to explain the Holy Ghost.
We set another date with someone on the first lesson who sadly lives out of our boundaries but it was such a fun lesson. Elder Hall and I went in there with so much passion towards the Book of Mormon that it could almost be said it was like Nephi who's words could not be disbelieved.
I love y'all
Elder Metcalf
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