snow

I must be a curse for Texas or something because for someone that doesn't like snow as much as I do, Texas keeps getting these 'massive snowstorms.' We had our car parked by President Smith's for a while so we were on our bikes for a bit and it brought back quite a few memories going through the snow. It was actually quite a lovely experience really.

This week I received some awesome miracles and witnessed many as well. An interesting one was our training and interviews on Wednesday. Due to the lack of time, Elder Hall and I determined that we would combine both our trainings into one super training about goal setting. We based all our thoughts on the talk by Elder Oaks "Good, Better, Best." We put the final touches on it then headed to the stake center to get everything ready and to brief the district leaders on some administrative topics with the Assistants. We got back into the room with everyone then President Smith came. We got started, sang, prayed and President felt impressed to give a few words. About 3-4 minutes into it he says "There was a talk given by Elder Oaks about 'Good Better Best, much like our goals there are good ones, better ones, and the best." What made this even more remarkable was the assistants had spoken with Elder Hall before the meeting about Good Better Best. It is truly amazing to say that we were all literally on the same page. We gave our training and it went very well. Essentially it was three parts. 1- A good goal is a set goal 'i.e. I will baptize 11 people!' 2- A better goal is a defined goal 'this is how I will baptize 11 people. 3- A best goal is a living goal 'I will evaluate my goal every week. Again, 1-Good=Set it, 2-Better=Define it, 3-Best=Live it. I thought that was awesome.

My interview with President was great. We immediately got into my goals for the year and he quickly commented on how I would be leaving. Ugh... Although as we began talking about the Fox family and their baptisms he was very excited and asked how they were found. I hesitated a bit but then gave the story about how on a Tuesday night we went to wal-mart to buy lunch for trainings the next day and that she approached us. I hesitated because I was a bit worried I was confessing to my President that I was shopping on a non preparation day. He quickly explained "Elder Metcalf, this is a classic example of following the Spirit in which you had no idea you were following the Spirit. I wish missionaries would understand this and not ask the typical question if they are following the Spirit or not. You had a need and followed it." I just thought that was kind of cool.

Tuesday we had an Assistant exchange with Elder Hubbard that went very well. We knocked 2 doors before getting in a home and committed someone to baptism (he dropped us though unfortunately). Elder Hall and I noted how spirit filled the exchange was after it was over and it was interesting how we noted that in situations like that, when you are expected to perform at a high level of missionary stardom, we step up to the plate. It is funny to note however, that when we began the exchange, our first activity was to take a 40 inch flat screen TV from one missionary apartment and deliver it back to the member that loaned it out. (It was the TV we used to watch Toy Story on Christmas Eve.) I asked Elder Hubbard if he has ever returned a TV on an exchange, to which he responded with a smile on his face, "No."

We also had zone leader council on Tuesday which was awesome. Elder Rice became a zone leader and we talked to each other every chance we got (we served around each other in Nac for 6 months.) He served a transfer in Nac after I left so I was naturally inclined to quiz him about the Bennetts, the ward, the investigators and the missionaries. Of course the most exciting topic was to hear about the Bennetts since we cant exactly communicate too frequently. Another extremely important note was the goal for baptisms in the TDM was set. 1000 for 2011! It was crazy because as he posted the graphic that was made up to represent the 1000 goal, it looked so very familiar. Another interesting miracle this week was with a future missionary in the 7th branch. Elder Hall asked me to randomly call him to help out with a teaching appointment we had that day. I asked how things were going as he is about to serve his mission in a couple months and I felt something. I asked "You're probably experiencing some doubt, right?" Turns out he had been conned in by the adversary to watch some anti movie. It was funny to see how we were alike as we were getting ready to serve. I asked "Did you feel that if you watched it you would gain an advantage because you would know what opposition was out there and would know how to defend it?" He said yes and then explained how he began to overcome the opposition he had gotten himself into with deceiving thoughts and questions. Later that night we had a lesson and as everyone was leaving (we just happened to be in the Bishop's office) he stopped and talked alone with me and went into more details about how he regained to spirit. For some reason the spirit was extremely strong and very touching. I felt impressed there was something that Heavenly Father wanted me to learn or know so I continued asking questions. My companion came in and the 3 of us talked briefly and then left the room. Still, I felt there was more that I needed to know. I asked him for a blessing, which he later explained that when I had asked he personally felt it had to be done immediately. He gave, by the spirit one of the most profound and needed blessings I have ever received. I made many notes which would be inappropriate to write in this setting. As we finally parted ways and we were driving home that night I felt deep gratitude for what my Heavenly Father had shared with me and noted how interesting it was that when I walked into to the Church, I felt there was nothing that I needed, but walking out of the Church I felt extremely edified.

Now on to the topic of most importance! Summer and her family our doing well. They are experiencing tons of opposition which is to be expected considering her entire family is about to take a huge step of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. She didn't make it to church on Sunday because she was sick and the snow became a major distraction for the kids. We went over to her home during the 3rd hour and spoke with her about some concerns she was having. When we left shortly after, she expressed gratitude and a desire to read the Book of Mormon before Family Home Evening during the night. She said that as soon as we left the opposition began. She got distracted, lost her Book of Mormon and couldn't find any of the 4 we gave her. So finally she picked up a Book of Mormon reader and said just by flipping to a particular page she got what she needed. It was awesome. They are still on board. Well I will continue to battle the snow and Satan for the day with some proselyting.

I thank you again for your awesome support.

Love you! Elder Metcalf