May 13

Hey again!

 

Well, I just spoke to my family yesterday, and told them just about everything I have to say (like EVERY other missionary in the world), so I guess I'll just list off some highlights from the week.

We went to a lesson with one of our investigators and she.... had a nervous breakdown. On the phone with us. She sort of.... went a little crazy.... and just kept repeating herself and saying things that didn't make sense to noone in particular. We're gonna give her a wee little break.... :P My companion is on the greener side of missionary life and he looked at me afterward and said "that's the weirdest experience I've ever had on my mission...." To which I couldn't help but reply "Don't worry, more will come." :D

We have a member of the branch who shall remain nameless for animosities sake, who is a former TJ (jehovah's witness) and has retained many interesting beliefs from that religion. We'll call him Tom for this story. Tom recently had a vision identifying himself as one of the hundred and fourty four thousand (of which he bore testimony in sacrament meeting), and iis also..... eighty four years old. He was baptized four years ago, and he's always trying to invite us over so he can "teach us things about the bible that will probably surprise us". Well, this week we finally caved because we didn't want to hurt his feelings. 

Have you ever tried to argue religion with an eighty four year old jehovah's witness? If not, I'd recommend avoiding the experience. 

He has since informed us that he will no longer be able to come teaching with us, and he even sent a letter to one family in the branch warning her not to listen to us because we don't teach from the bible. Tom is an adorable old man, and probably my favorite member of the entire church. :) I love him. 

Don't worry, he's still active. :P

Other than that we had most of our lessons cancel on us, we met most of the less-actives in the branch, and most days we had a lot of miracles. Mostly, the week was wonderful. :)

I'd also like to share a little something that one of our teams brought to district study on wednesday, just a bit of a joke.

mission president

Leaps tall buildings in a single bound

Is more powerful than a locomotive

is faster than a speeding bullet

walks on water

talks with god

Assistant to the president

Leaps short buildings in a single bound

Is more powerful than a piston engine

Is as fast as a speeding bullet

Walks on water if the water is calm

Talks with God if special request is approved

Zone Leader

Leaps short building with a running start and favorable winds

Is almost as powerful as a piston engine

is faster than a speeding BB

Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool

Is occasionally addressed by God

District Leader

Barely clears a quonset hut

Loses tug of war with a piston engine

Can fire a speeding bullet

Swims well

Talks with Animals

Senior Companion

Makes high marks on the wall when trying to leap buildings

is run over by locomotives

Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self injury

Dog paddles

Talks to walls

Junior companion

Runs into buildings

Recognizes a locomotive 2 out of 3 times

Is not issued ammunition

Can't stay afloat without a life preserver

Mumbles to himself

Greenies

Falls over doorsteps when entering buildings

Is stronger than most toy trains

Wets himself with a water pistol

Plays in mud puddles

Doesn't dare speak.

I thought it was funny, and I hope you all appreciated it! Unfortunately, it's also not entirely true (obviously). As I was reading it, I was reflecting about the missionaries I've met and worked with, and it was interesting to see how universally it has been the new missionaries that I've looked up to the most. When I first arrived, all I wanted was to be like the older missionaries, to be as experienced or as knowledgeable or as spiritual as all of them. Now, as I've spent a little more time out here, all I want is to be more like the new missionaries. As hopeful, as full of Faith, as spiritual, as unphaseable. It made me think of Christ, and the way He looks at children....

Just a thought.

well, have a good week everyone! Til next time!