I won't tell the story about the holy water.
Fire Water, and such
Last week we contacted this drunk man, who we didn't realize was
heavily intoxicated until it was too late. A word of advice for
everyone reading: don't drink. There's just too much risk in it. We
should simply stay away from these things, and let out body be filled
with happy things, like grapes, sunshine, and deep fried cookie dough.
When we said goodbye, he started to follow us. Luckily, his stupor
left him to a waddling pace. So we sauntered off to our appointment.
In contacting, you meet a lot of different people. Some of them are
very nice and warm, some are rude, some are completely and totally
ready for the restored gospel. Such as it was with Matthew. We were
getting back on our bikes in an apartment complex when a man was
walking by. I felt prompted to talk with him, and I did. All I could
get out was, "Hey, how's it going today?" When he replied "Good, good.
I really need to talk to you guys. Actually, I'd love to talk with
you. But I'm in a hurry right now. Come by my apartment in the
mornings. I live at 17101. My name is M." And then he was off. I
looked over at my companions at the time, and said. "Well, that was
pretty easy." We tried by a few times, but never caught him. Finally,
Wednesday he referred himself online. We met with him Thursday
morning. Turns out he wants to be baptized into this church. He reads
from the Book of Mormon and has lots of Mormon friends he talks to. We
were dumbstruck. Let it be known, this never happens. We set a date
for baptism, set expectations, and then started the lesson. "So, what
do you know about the Restoration?" He then gave us a beautiful
recount of the Restoration, including a restored description of the
Priesthood. We didn't really know what to do. So he said he'll get
baptized in a month, and we'll meet with him twice a week until then.
Holy cow.
Rain Water, and such
Tuesday we got caught in the rain. And by caught in the rain, we mean
drenched head to toe. The rain started to trickle, and we thought,
"We'll just contact this referral and then go to dinner." Nope. Should
have just gone to dinner. I could have jumped into the ocean and have
been drier. We parked our bikes under an oak tree and walked over to
the house. At this point it what pouring. We then looked and looked
and looked for that house number, until we realized it didn't exist.
Lightning and thunder ensued. This was also the loudest I've ever
heard thunder. My mom is probably thrilled to hear about this.
The weather can be unpredictable in Texas. There have been many nights
where we have found shelter, but that night we were long from
anywhere. Sad day. The weather has been rather rainy and full of
lightning. There has been quite a bit of thunder, and it has been fun
to fall asleep to the rolling thunder.
Font Water, and such
Ri T was baptized, and I baptized him! It supposed to be his
dad, but at the last minute I was asked by him to do it. It was my
first time baptizing anyone, so it was quite the experience. R is
technically a convert, but he was baptized along with the children of
record, which included the stake president and his son. It was a
little intimidating to perform the ordinance with him and his son
watching over us at the font's edge. Doing something as special as
baptizing someone in front of a powerful man. Very special. And the
boy's family was just so excited to see their brother with them,
wearing his finest shirt and tie at church the next day. Very special.
The one part I did not enjoy at the baptism was my waist. It's a lot
greater in circumference than when I first bought my baptism pants.
They were tight. My companion felt bad for me, so he offered his.
Surprise! They were the exact same pair. So if you think that I look a
little hefty in the photo added below, it because my proportions have
changed, but my pants haven't. Oh, the life of a missionary.
The C girls, who should have been baptized way back in February,
are finally, finally getting baptized next month as well. We set them
with a date last Wednesday. Their father is very excited, and is all
in. After returning from a long time of less activity, he now sits at
the front of elders quorum class, and his girls have a blast at
church. What a great experience to watch.
The Water Cooler
A Douglas L. Callister quote came to my mind during testimony meeting
yesterday. It has been ringing in my ears since I read his 2007
conference message about a month ago, after an investigator told us he
denounced all the things he believed in the church.
"If you want to know that you know that you know, a price must be
paid. You and you alone must pay that price. There are ordinances that
are done in proxy, but none for the acquisition of a testimony."
Knowledge is an important gift in this world. We must come to our own
knowledge of all things.
Elder Richard Hall
1. My company and I,The T, and some random kid with R. Also,
another note: I am taller than my companion, in truth, but I look
shorter in this photo. No idea why.
Fire Water, and such
Last week we contacted this drunk man, who we didn't realize was
heavily intoxicated until it was too late. A word of advice for
everyone reading: don't drink. There's just too much risk in it. We
should simply stay away from these things, and let out body be filled
with happy things, like grapes, sunshine, and deep fried cookie dough.
When we said goodbye, he started to follow us. Luckily, his stupor
left him to a waddling pace. So we sauntered off to our appointment.
In contacting, you meet a lot of different people. Some of them are
very nice and warm, some are rude, some are completely and totally
ready for the restored gospel. Such as it was with Matthew. We were
getting back on our bikes in an apartment complex when a man was
walking by. I felt prompted to talk with him, and I did. All I could
get out was, "Hey, how's it going today?" When he replied "Good, good.
I really need to talk to you guys. Actually, I'd love to talk with
you. But I'm in a hurry right now. Come by my apartment in the
mornings. I live at 17101. My name is M." And then he was off. I
looked over at my companions at the time, and said. "Well, that was
pretty easy." We tried by a few times, but never caught him. Finally,
Wednesday he referred himself online. We met with him Thursday
morning. Turns out he wants to be baptized into this church. He reads
from the Book of Mormon and has lots of Mormon friends he talks to. We
were dumbstruck. Let it be known, this never happens. We set a date
for baptism, set expectations, and then started the lesson. "So, what
do you know about the Restoration?" He then gave us a beautiful
recount of the Restoration, including a restored description of the
Priesthood. We didn't really know what to do. So he said he'll get
baptized in a month, and we'll meet with him twice a week until then.
Holy cow.
Rain Water, and such
Tuesday we got caught in the rain. And by caught in the rain, we mean
drenched head to toe. The rain started to trickle, and we thought,
"We'll just contact this referral and then go to dinner." Nope. Should
have just gone to dinner. I could have jumped into the ocean and have
been drier. We parked our bikes under an oak tree and walked over to
the house. At this point it what pouring. We then looked and looked
and looked for that house number, until we realized it didn't exist.
Lightning and thunder ensued. This was also the loudest I've ever
heard thunder. My mom is probably thrilled to hear about this.
The weather can be unpredictable in Texas. There have been many nights
where we have found shelter, but that night we were long from
anywhere. Sad day. The weather has been rather rainy and full of
lightning. There has been quite a bit of thunder, and it has been fun
to fall asleep to the rolling thunder.
Font Water, and such
Ri T was baptized, and I baptized him! It supposed to be his
dad, but at the last minute I was asked by him to do it. It was my
first time baptizing anyone, so it was quite the experience. R is
technically a convert, but he was baptized along with the children of
record, which included the stake president and his son. It was a
little intimidating to perform the ordinance with him and his son
watching over us at the font's edge. Doing something as special as
baptizing someone in front of a powerful man. Very special. And the
boy's family was just so excited to see their brother with them,
wearing his finest shirt and tie at church the next day. Very special.
The one part I did not enjoy at the baptism was my waist. It's a lot
greater in circumference than when I first bought my baptism pants.
They were tight. My companion felt bad for me, so he offered his.
Surprise! They were the exact same pair. So if you think that I look a
little hefty in the photo added below, it because my proportions have
changed, but my pants haven't. Oh, the life of a missionary.
The C girls, who should have been baptized way back in February,
are finally, finally getting baptized next month as well. We set them
with a date last Wednesday. Their father is very excited, and is all
in. After returning from a long time of less activity, he now sits at
the front of elders quorum class, and his girls have a blast at
church. What a great experience to watch.
The Water Cooler
A Douglas L. Callister quote came to my mind during testimony meeting
yesterday. It has been ringing in my ears since I read his 2007
conference message about a month ago, after an investigator told us he
denounced all the things he believed in the church.
"If you want to know that you know that you know, a price must be
paid. You and you alone must pay that price. There are ordinances that
are done in proxy, but none for the acquisition of a testimony."
Knowledge is an important gift in this world. We must come to our own
knowledge of all things.
Elder Richard Hall
1. My company and I,The T, and some random kid with R. Also,
another note: I am taller than my companion, in truth, but I look
shorter in this photo. No idea why.
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