yo estoy muy constato y necesito dormir. just kidding

Anyway we had another eventful week in the field which is called the city of Allen. Something that is pretty obvious about being a missionary is being put in situations that once were severly uncomfortable are now quite enjoyable.

Monday night we went to FHE with the singles branch. They usually have several non-members there. Walking in the door with 50 other people my age is a different ball game as a missionary. As the meeting was about to begin, they asked me to give the lesson since the person assigned cancelled. So I pondered for a minute then gave a nice message from 2nd Kings 4 that nearly made my companion cry. Such is the life as a missionary. We also ate at the Nelsons who every time we go over, make chicken roll-ups which equals Elder Metcalf's favorite food.

Tuesday after district meeting I exchanged up in greenville with Elder Grondel. Again, we are the 2 oldest missionaries in the zone wondering what on earth happened to our time. A freshly returned missionary was itching way bad to come out tracting with us so we went, worked, and watched the miracles happen. In the evening the branch president in the area came out with us and we visited a less active our age and were pretty upset after leaving because he bought us some dairy queen blizzards after he offered a prayer that he would come to church on Sunday. Elder Grondel and I are at the point where it is time to start losing weight which is the reason for "upsetness."

Wednesday we ate lunch with our investigator who is struggling with same gender attraction. Our purpose wasn't necessarily to go teach but to build a better relationship and strengthen him anyway we could. He made some awesome Honduran food which I was a bit nervous about the reaction my body would have (last time had some interesting side effects) but I seemed to be well adjusted by now. Later that evening he texted his fellowshipper friend and explained that he is really close to baptism! We will see how much more we can help him achieve the 'I'm ready for baptism' stage. That night, we also taught a young man named Josh who we tracted into. We taught the restoration which I am positive he didn't understand as well as a missionary would hope but the spirit was there.

Thursday we had some planning (ughh, I would rather tract but planning is a really good thing from what the GA's tell me) but we wrapped up early and went out teaching. We had an interesting experience. A lady who we tracted into in January would reschedule every time we went over there. A month ago she rescheduled for this week. The miracle of it all is that she let us right in to teach. We were surprised but excited so we taught the restoration. A funny reaction (which I am told is frequent in south america) is she said "well sure, I believe the Book of Mormon is true...for you." So after some resolving we helped her understand what the implications of the Book being true really are. She agreed to experiment on the word and see if there is more for her out there. That day we also began our big monthly report for the stake president (more planning...) which is for tomorrow. That night we had some more tracting with an interesting experience. We met a lady who at one point, was actually a neighbor to Gordon B. Hinckley while he was President of the church. She dropped the line "if Gordon couldn't do it, no one can" and after some talking we agreed and went on our way. It is just strange to me how much any member of the church would have loved to have been in her circumstances yet she only viewed him as a wonderful man (reference "Election" in the bible dictionary). We also met with a less active family that evening which went very well. The setting was right, as Elder Holland would say, to ask 'what are their fears?' And it was a powerful way to understand a lot of people's motivations. She fears, as a single mom, not providing a good life for her family so she works on Sunday... So we knew a great lesson to share with her to help build Faith.

Friday was a very intense day. We met with the 'stake president referral' family again and taught the plan of salvation. Elder Folau and I practiced with one of the main fellowshippers for about an hour during lunch to get the rhythm nailed down. We met with them later that evening. President Wright wasn't able to make it until about halfway through the lesson. It was when he walked in that the spirit really came to all of us. At the end of the lesson I taught the example of the baptism of Jesus Christ and Elder Folau extended the baptismal commitment...don don don...which they declined. Elder Folau then bore his testimony of the truths he has learned (he is a convert) which brought tears to some eyes and we wrapped up the lesson. While leaving we felt pretty down but opted to grab a frosty and continue to work. Excellent idea Elders... The 2nd person we dropped by was incredible. About 3 months ago I was out tracting singles with a member, it was about 8:59pm but I chose to knock one more door (here comes the awesomeness). The man at the door was a bit surprised but accepted a return appointment which he didn't keep. After some time the Elders for that area finally did get a hold of them and let them teach. They shared the Restoration and gave them a couple copies of the Book of Mormon which they are now reading. "There is such a special feeling that comes from reading this book!" Turns out the day we knocked on the man's door was one of the most depressing days of his life... What do I as a missionary remember sharing? "Hey, we felt we should knock your door before we left this complex. We share a message about God. That He lives and He loves us." Anything else and I cant remember. Apparently he told his wife afterwords that we were angels. I didn't do anything special! I am just a average missionary but am granted a few extraordinary experiences. All gifts and evidences of God.

Saturday everything cancelled except dinner so we tracted.......

Sunday was quite fun, although with 0000 investigators at church we held our heads high and contacted many more people. We met some great ones and got a few referrals for some other lucky missionaries. Needless to say they are each excitement in Heavenly Father's eyes so I am happy.

If a missionary works, he will get the

Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will

teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches

by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts

of the people and he will be happy.

There will be no homesickness, no

worrying about families, for all time

and talents and interests are

centered on the work of the ministry.

Work, work, work—there is no

satisfactory substitute, especially in

missionary work.”

– PRESIDENT EZRA TAFT BENSON

Love you all -Elder Metcalf