Another interesting week from your favorite favorite in Texas.

 

We had a unique experience at the beginning of the week. We taught a Muslim teenager who we think is interested in the Gospel. Following that appointment we dropped off one of his friends, wrapped around the corner and saw a group of young teenagers playing basketball. My instant reaction was to pull over and challenge them to a game. The deal was that if we won they had to get baptized. We got started in our proselyting clothes and they proceeded to destroy us, it was quite embarrassing. After playing with them they all started asking questions about the church. We aren't exactly allowed to teach without parent permission but their questions were awesome "How can I know your church is true?" "How do I get baptized?" "How can I know when God is talking to me?" It was definitely a major seed that was planted.

 

The next day was a big highlight. We picked up a YSA last week who we committed to baptism. He was pretty awesome yet had no christian background so we left him the introduction as well as Alma 7 testifying of Christ. On our follow up appointment, we asked about his experience. He told us how he had to read it several times to grasp an understanding of it but when he did, he knew it was true and now believes in Christ. Thank you Book of Mormon. It was quite remarkable how fast that conversion occurred yet the Lord was willing to make the process speedy through the provided tools.

 

One evening this week, Elder Hong chose a street to tract that I had already knocked before (I have been in Allen a while). What was interesting was when we were about to tract it we received a call from our ward mission leader who asked us to give a member a blessing since he was in a position that wouldn't allow him to do so. Where did she live? The street Elder Hong had chosen. It was a great blessing.

 

Our baptismal date, Tony is doing awesome. He was interviewed this week and passed with flying colors. He says he has been feeling the spirit a lot lately and continues to attend all the activities of the branch more than most active members. He did have to move his date back two weeks because of conflicts of schedules. It only has me a little worried... However he is still awesome and solid.

 

An odd but great experience was when we took the oldest son of the Fox family to lunch with us (the one who has yet to be baptized). One Elder tried to call Sister Harty to invite her but she didn't answer so I said "watch, she loves me the most."  I gave her a ring and yes, she answered and came to lunch. I bought her a taco which was nothing since she found out we were 'dinnerless' for the night and fed us that evening. Following lunch, we played checkers with the Fox son for a bit and I gave him a mock baptismal interview to see where he was at. He did pretty well, just needs help with Joseph Smith. Since he lives in the other Elders area it has been a coordinated effort to help him out.  They did pick him up for church yesterday and Elder Treasure told him to bear his testimony. He did. And I heard it was awesome.

 

I conducted a baptismal interview on Friday and it is always a divine experience. I love seeing people completely ready to go and be prepared. I have the interview memorized so we basically talked about the Gospel and his testimony the whole time without him really knowing it was an interview. I have noticed something awesome with most interviews I do though, there is always a connection with dates. I interviewed him on July 1st (mom's birthday) and his mom was born on Dad's birthday. In another interview the couple had been married on May 15th (my birthday and the restoration of the priesthood). Awesome to see some of God's little micro managing skills, he is the greatest!

 

Saturday Dina's parents took us out to dinner. It was a great experience but they called us by our first names the whole time which made us laugh. It was so strange. We talked about everything from the Gospel to NASA and Mom and Dad meeting them in September.

 

Sunday we had a unique 'casual miracle' as I would call it. We picked back up some investigators Elder Hall and I found while we were sick of our apartment, had the flu and in an ice storm. We taught her at 11:30 and finally got out of there at 1245, 15 minutes before church. She said "I think I'll come today" while holding a tiny newborn (8 weeks old) and her husband was in the bathroom. We kind of brushed it off but as sacrament started she walked in and sat next to us! It was a "Hey good to see you again." In a non-shalant way and then the meeting ensued. It was awesome. Goes to show some people are just craving the spirit no matter how much you believe them or not.

 

Anyway hopefully mom enjoys my card (it is similar to another one I have sent) Sure do LOVE YOU mother and hope you had a perfect birthday, Sounds like the Lord provided an answer to a prayer I gave Thursday night. "Please give my mom some great water to ski on for her birthday."

 

With tons of love,

Elder Metcalf