Missionary Slim isn't dying - He just can't think of anything good to do! (Week 7 in Pennsylvania, Week 7 in Lebanon, PA)

Sorry, guys. This week might sound like a bit of a downer. If you read to the end, though, it gets better!

You know that feeling that you get when you come to a point in a project where there is no way you can continue with it, and you've been working on it for so long that it's wasting your time, so you just get rid of it? Elder Nelson and I felt that 5 times with 5 people this week. Yep. We've dropped 5 of our investigators, two of which were lined up for baptism. I suppose I'd better at least mention those who we aren't teaching anymore, to clear up any questions of "Why don't you ever talk about this person anymore."

 Remember Angelica? Yeah, neither do I. We taught her the first few weeks I was here, she almost got baptized, and then she quit. Stopped dead in her tracks. We've only talked to her out of her window since then, haven't had any lessons, and finally came to the point where we just needed to give up and move on. It really hurt, especially with someone as far along as she was.

Victor was scheduled to be baptized this past Saturday, but he just couldn't bring himself to part with his beer and coffee, and he isn't willing to change. He's really stubborn, really arrogant, and really prideful. He knows what's right. Every time we talk to him, his heart is pricked. But, he still won't change! Again, it came to the point where it wasn't worth our time to visit him.

Also, Andrea. She didn't even want to change her life. She just wanted to learn what makes Mormons tick. She didn't read the Book of Mormon, and felt really bad for telling us she didn't want to meet with us anymore. She still says that she'll read it, but until then, there's no way we'll get another lesson with her. There were a couple of other people who we had maybe one or two lessons with, but could never get in contact with them to set up any more lessons, and we couldn't afford to waste any more time on them.

Now, let me tell you right now - I am not happy about any of this! In fact, every single name which we cross off our list pains me, because thats one less person who gets to enjoy the blessings of living the Gospel. But, at the same time, by wasting our time on them, we are denying others of the chance to hear the message of the Gospel. So, we'll be working even harder on spreading the Gospel, and not focusing on just a few people who aren't even willing to change their lives.

If they are willing to change their lives, we will focus on them. That's the case with John. He really is a great guy, and is super excited (and, lets be honest, nervous) to get baptized. He's just having a very difficult time quitting his smokes. He's still willing to change, though, and is still trying. He's got a cigarrette sobriety date of April 1 (don't worry, We're pretty sure he's not joking about this one), and if all goes well, he'll be qualified for baptism by the 14th. His humility is incredible though. Every single time we talk to him, he tells us that the only way he's going to overcome his addiction is through God and Jesus. He really knows the atonement, and really wants to keep learning, keep growing, and keep fixing up his life.

This Wednesday was his birthday, so Thursday, we took him out to Infinitos. While we were there, we started talking about his changing appearance. Two weeks ago he shaved his goatee, and last week for his birthday he shaved his mustache. Then he tells us "Man, I should get a haircut. One like you guys," and he pointed to Elder Nelson's buzz cut. "Who gave you that." I proudly (yes, I need to work on humility) took credit. "Man, do you think you guys could give me a haircut." We thought about it, talked it over, and then agreed. I mean, we're supposed to give service to our investigators and ward members, and while giving the haircut, we could give him a lesson. So we agreed.

We brought over the clippers, sized up his hair, and talked to him about it. He was already having second guesses, but eventually decided that he needed it really badly and gave the goahead. We got right to work. It took a whole hour (he had a LOT of hair), and I made a few small mistakes on the ears, but when it was all done, it was a very fine and handsome haircut. He even laughed and said "Wow! Now I look like you guys. All I need is a nametag, and I could be out preaching!" Then he chastised me for not having a haircut in a while, and I promised to get one. I'll be sure to get a picture of the two of us with our haircuts up sometime soon. Unfortunately, I didn't think to get a picture beforehand, but I'll tell you, he had a lot of hair!

In other news, this week, the fates finally caught up with me. I've been running from sickness, evading it with my Super-Duper-Wellness-Formula-super-health pills which stop sickness in their tracks. Unfortunately, the bug that I caught could even overpower the illness-fighting power of my super pills. Incidentally, the sickness hit me while we, as a district, were eating at a Chinese buffet. I got the worst muscle aches ever, all over my body, chills combined with a fever, and absolutely no appetite for anything but water. Fortunately, my throat was left unaffected, so I could still talk and teach, but man I felt like something very large and very fast moving (perhaps a freight train, or maybe a semi-truck) had plowed into me. And the whole not being able to eat was annoying, especially when we went to Infinitos with John ("Man," he said, "I feel so bad that you can't eat anything." Like I said, heart of gold). But, with the help of a little bit of faith, rest, and a blessing, I was able to get back to normal in no time. I was ache-free by Thursday night, and eating like normal by Friday.

One final event of consequence: the confirmation. Because the baptism of the three girls last week, Samanta, Ashley, and Ashanti, happened on a Sunday night, we didn't get the chance to confirm them until just yesterday. So, Elder Nelson, myself, and another brother in the ward were able to have the privilage of confirming them, giving them the gift of the Holy Ghost, and blessing them. Let me tell you, I was super nervous. I got to confirm Ashanti, the youngest. Having fasted and prayed before hand, I put my hands on her head ("He was shaking like crazy!" she told my companion after the fact) and, like I faithfully expected, the words were able to flow as directed by the spirit. Let me tell you, those of you who have never had this experience: When a priesthood blessing is given by the spirit, the words just come. It's like I say the words before I think them, because it isn't myself giving the blessing, but the Spirit giving me the words. And, when it's finished, I feel uplifted and drained at the same time. Like I said, weird feeling, and hard to describe, but very cool. Yesterday was no exception.

A thought to leave you with, an old Pennsylvania Dutch phrase: If you can't be good, be careful. Don't ask me what it means. I heard it for the first time yesterday, and thought it was so funny I thought I'd share it with everyone.

Hopefully this finds everyone doing well. Stay happy, stay optimistic. I can say honestly that, despite any problems which I face, any trials, and pains, sickness, whatever, there is always someone who has felt more. We met a guy who was dying of three kinds of cancer. Another guy we met has given up on finding a girlfriend because he thinks they all make fun of him. Another just can't find happiness in anything. At least I have my health, my family, my friends, and my happiness. And of course, above all, I have the knowledge of the Gospel. I know that even those three people haven't suffered as much as the Savior, and I also know that all of them can find comfort and peace through his atonement and his love. May we all recognize how we can better use the atonement to love our neighbors, forgive our enemies, and comfort those who stand in need to comfort. May we all become more Christlike, one step at a time.

Do the right thing. Be good. Even if you can't be good, you can still try your best. Thank you to all of you who show your support for me and thanks to all of you who pray for me. It really helps.

Take care!

Elder Anderson (Missionary Slim)