November 12, 2012

Missionary Slim receives a Polish hello (Week 40 in Pennsylvania, Week 4 in Washington, PA)


*knock knock knock*
 
It was the first door of the day. We were stoked, ready for a good half hour of knocking doors before our first appointment of the day. We waited with anticipation for someone to answer the door...
 
*knock knock kn-knock kn-knock*
 
Elder Colvin loved mixing up his knocks. It keeps things interesting. Still, we waited. Finally, we left a card in the door and turned around to go to the next house. Before we got too far, though, we heard a faint *click* as the glass door opened. Within moments, we were back at the door talking to a lovely old woman who apparently had no idea who we were. She picked up quickly on the fact that we're really good listeners, and launched into telling us the story of her life, her husband, the injustice that she's endured because of her Polish background, and her happy life now, living alone. We listened patiently as the time of our next appointment drew closer. Finally, she asked where I was from. "Utah," I told her, "Where the Mormons are. That's what we are, Mormons," I added.
 
"You're Mormons?!?!" she exclaimed. I braced for the worst but nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. "I LOVE MORMONS!" And with that, she threw her arms around each of us, puckered up and gave us a big smack on the cheeks. We were all a little taken aback, but got her info and permission to come back. Hopefully she doesn't express her love to us the same way.
 
Isaiah was not baptized this week. Don't worry, though, he didn't go to jail. He just messed up his plea bargain a little bit, and has to have another court hearing to sort through all the details of the crime. This might turn out to be better, though, because he might get all of the charges dropped completely and not even get any probation. Long story short, Isaiah is doing great. He's a little bummed, but he's taking the whole situation very humbly and cheerfully. "I know that it's all in the Lord's timing," he told us. Wow. It's kinda hard to see someone so prepared and so willing unable to be baptized, but I know if he stays strong, he'll make it eventually.
 
Brian, on the other hand, is still pressing forward to be baptized. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this week and invited him to follow it. "Oh, yeah. I've already been doing that. I've been off coffee for a month now." This isn't the first time he's done something like this, too. Yesterday, I sat next to him in Sacrament meeting. We had a high councilor (who, by the way, was the most animated high council speaker I have ever heard in my entire life) who talked about all of the blessings he's seen in his life. When he briefly described the temple blessings, I could tell Brian was getting a little emotional. He wants nothing more than to be sealed to his wife for eternity, and nothing is getting in his way. He is so excited.
 
Dave and Peggy came to Church yesterday! And loved it! We went over to visit them earlier in the week, and they expressed their desire to come and their commitment to come this week. We've invited them for several weeks straight, but had faith that they would come, and they did! It was excellent. Right after sacrament meeting, Dave bolted to the front so he could chat with the Bishop. He was shaking everyone's hands and was absolutely thrilled to be there. Peggy, who's always been a little bit more reserved, also seemed very happy to be there. It was wonderful.
 
Aja is another investigator we've been working with. She's about 21, has an adorable young daughter, and just moved from Ohio. Actually, she was first introduced to the church by a member who works at a diner. He was taking her order, chatting with her a bit, found out that she was new to the area and looking for a church, and suggested ours. She agreed, has been meeting with us. We've had a hard time getting lessons with her, though, because either she or her daughter has been sick. So we took a different approach. Actually, it was my companion, Elder Medina, who suggested this. When we found out that Aja was sick, out of the blue he asked "Ask her if she needs any chicken noodle soup." I texted her and she replied that she actually was all out and needed it. We went, picked up some for her and brought it by. It was a small and simple thing, but I'm sure made a big difference for her.
 
Perhaps that is the more perfect way to share the Gospel - not by the great big declaration "I know that Jesus Christ restored his church," when talking to somebody I don't even know right after I knock on their door, but in the small and simple services that show what that restoration of the Gospel has done for us. For example, when Elder Walker first found Brenda (I wasn't present), he didn't offer to teach her - he offered to serve her. He helped her carry in some things from her car. Thus began a powerful friendship and trust which has grown and finally blossomed. I'm pleased to announce that Brenda did in fact get baptized - just last week. Elder Walker called me to tell me the story. He was so excited. Apparently, he and his new companion got a call from her. (She's going to kill me if she finds out I shared this story) She told them that she was sitting on the commode (that's what they call toilets out here, apparently) pondering on the scriptures when it suddenly hit her: the Book of Mormon is true. She got a testimony right then and there and agreed to be baptized. I was so happy when I found out. All those weeks and weeks of hard work, inviting, teaching, answering questions, visiting her church, finally yielded the result. And, while I didn't get to be there for the actual baptism, I know that I was able to be a vessel of the Spirit to help that woman come more fully unto Christ. And what joy does it bring!
 
By the way, this is the second time this has happened. Remember that Cambodian family in Lebanon? They got baptized a few weeks after I was transferred too. Hopefully, the trend doesn't maintain. Elder Medina gave me a big scare yesterday. The Zone Leaders called and asked to speak with him. When he hung up, he said "One of you will be emergency transferred on Wednesday. President will call and say who it is tomorrow." AHHHHHH!! But then he told me it was all a big lie. He got a big kick out of it. He's a big jokester, but I love him. I love all my companions, despite their annoying personality quirks. One thing that gives me comfort - I get on their nerves just as much as they get on mine. :D
 
Take care, all. May the spirit be with you, always.
Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim

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