May 27, 2013

Missionary Slim is a man of few words this week. (Week 68 in Pennsylvania, Week 9 in Somerset, PA)

We had a pretty interesting week, which we kicked off with a baptismal invitation. Ben and Jen, two investigators who we've been working with for a goodly time, chose to be baptized. We had a good lesson, explained the ordinance and the covenant, and then gave the, the invitation: "Ben and Jen, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone who holds the proper authority?" Their answer was, without hesitation "Yes." We talked to Ben later in the week, and asked him what he thought about baptism and he said "we talked about it a little bit, and, you know, it think it'll help things between us." He's really wanting to make his family strong and provide for them, and he pretty much told us of how he thinks that baptism will help him. I was thrilled.

The church here in Somerset was dedicated this week. It was pretty remarkable; two former missionary couples cam back from Utah to attend the dedication, and the whole chapel was filled with former branch members and friends. It was a real milestone for this branch. They talked about how it began with just two member, a husband and his wife, and it grew in the thirty five years since then to nearly fifty persons. Needless to say, the main theme of the talks was continued growth and missionary work. That in and of itself was inspiring to me.

Otherwise, things are pretty good. The work is moving forward, slowly but surely. It's slow going, but this dedication was evidence that there is progress, and everything good that we do helps that work move on.
That's about all.
 Love,

Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim
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May 20, 2013

Missionary Slim is eating some "Mountain Pies". Hopefully they aren't like "Meadow Muffins". (Week 67 in Pennsylvania, Week 8 in Somerset, PA)

We had another interesting experience with food. Some less active members had us over for a barbecue and started up a fire in the back yard so we could make "Mountain Pies." I've never heard of them, so I figured I'd give it a go. You take two slices of bread, buttered on one side, and place them in this cast iron contraption. Between the bread goes whatever you want - pie filling, meat and gravy, or even pepperoni and pizza sauce! The cast iron encloses the whole deal and then is placed into the burning hot fire. A minute and a half later, you have a mini-pie! Now, I might just not be knowledgeable in the ways of cooking stuff in a campfire (it's never been done at any of my scout camps), but I think this is pretty fantastic.

Last Saturday, in our lesson with a less-active member, he gave us a referral. "Go talk to my daughter, Brandy," he told us. "She's going through a rough time, just moved, and could really use what you've been giving me." His daughter is not a member, and as of yet we don't even really know what her spiritual background is. We stopped by the address that he gave us a couple of times, but never were able to meet anyone. Finally, we asked the neighbors if anyone had moved in recently, and they pointed us to the right home.

When we first met Brandy, she was incredibly happy that we came by. "I've really been thinking about getting into something," she said. While we were there talking to her, her boyfriend came out to take a smoke and started talking to us. He apparently had a foundation in Jehovah's Witnesses, but wasn't really sure about anything. "I'm just trying to find the truth." At the end of our visit, they were both pretty certain that they would be coming to church.

Needless to say, Elder Swanson and I were overjoyed to find these people. It seems like they've been prepared for right now and are totally ready to start on the Gospel path. 

That's about it!

Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim

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May 13, 2013

Missionary Slim finds the Amish actually use power tools and love Pizza! (Week 66 in Pennsylvania, Week 7 in Somerset, PA)

This week has been pretty extraordinary, so I'll just jump into it.

Sunday, we had stake conference. But it was a little different, because instead of all meeting at the stake center and being taught by the stake presidency and such, we got a broadcast from Salt Lake City and had some General Authorities speak. Pretty nifty, I'd say. Interestingly enough, we had the prayers and songs locally, and only the talks were broadcast.

Well, when a brother from the branch was praying, the chapel phone started ringing. Someone who was in the hall got it, and when the prayer was over, came in and said "It's for you!" I did the classic "Who? Me?" face, got up, and took the call.
It was an obscure member named Bro. Williams. Nobody in the branch knows him, but apparently he's been living in the branch long enough that he had a referral to give us of a friend of his. This friend, Bill, has been going through some rough times, has some mild depression issues, and according to Bro. Williams is crazy. Regardless, he's got some interest in the church. As a bonus, we got Bro. Williams address and phone number, and he's interested in getting active in the church too. Boo-yeah.

Our first visit with Bill was pretty excellent. We gained his trust by picking up some groceries at the local food pantry for him (since he has no transportation) and he got right into asking about the church and wanting to learn more about it. He is very excited about it, and I think he'll come to find that this is exactly what he's been looking for.

Wednesday, we were working at the food pantry when my companion came up to me. "Hey, isn't Bro Wirick on our branch directory?" This is the name of one of the people we've been looking for ever since we've gotten here, and haven't made any progress. As it turns out, this lost sheep got hungry, and ended up coming to the food pantry the very day that we were there. Oh, and to add to it, out of the many volunteers at the pantry, the one who took his food out to his vehicle was my companion. Hmmm.... strange coincidence. When we went out to talk to him before he drove off, he was incredibly friendly and nice and sincerely wanted to come back to church - he was just nervous to talk to us. We got his new address and when we went to visit him later that week, he expressed similar enthusiasm. That was just another testament to me that this is the Lords work, and he most certainly has a huge part of it. 

One final, more entertaining experience. The branch mission leader gave us a call. "Hey guys! I'm putting together a green house and was wondering if you could give us some help." Our day was pretty empty, and we were getting dinner out of the deal, so we decided to go lend a hand. As it turns out, he already had a few there. Two local Amish guys were there to assist. They were hard at work when we arrived, putting together the steel frame, drilling holes (with power tools! Who would have thought?) for the screws, climbing across the frame with incredible strength and dexterity - I was impressed. We talked to them for a bit - one of them was married and worked as a painter and sandblaster and helped to build green houses on the side. His brother was living at home where his parents build furniture. As can be expected, the two were super down-to-earth with great humor, the nicest guys you could meet. When dinner time came around (and a thunderstorm hit), the mission leader asked "You guys are welcome to stay for dinner. Do you like pizza?" The older of the two yelled, "Pizza? I LOVE pizza!" So, we had pizza with some Amish!

That's about all. The work keeps moving forward! Now, go give your mom a hug or something.

Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim
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May 6, 2013

Missionary Slim has an encounter with Monty Python? (Week 65 in Pennsylvania, Week 6 in Somerset, PA)

All things considered, we had a fairly uneventful week. We did have a pretty amazing, remarkable experience yesterday. After a tough day of tracting, we got into a lesson with Ben and Jen. They are pretty awesome in a lot of ways. They're a family trying their hardest to do their best, and really want to find the truth. Every single time we've got over, Ben has asked us "Why are there so many different churches, and how can I find out the truth?" And, of course, that's the question that we always want to answer, and we do, but he keeps on asking it. Well, this time, I think it sunk in. As we talked, he finally asked "So, you're telling me that your church is the true one?" I decided the simple answer would be best: "Yep. That's right!" Elder Swanson jumped in and started testifying about how we know that it's true, and how the Book of Mormon is evidence of it. A funny look came across his face as he processed and pondered on what we said. Finally, he said "Well, I guess that means I need to be taking reading this book more seriously!" I was ecstatic! I was so happy that he got it. When Jen said the closing prayer, she said the words "I ask you if the book of Mormon is true. And I'll do my part to read the book..." etc. It couldn't have been scripted better.

That reminds me. Ben and Jen have a number of pets. They've got a giant pit bull named Ozzie who is as kind and gentle as a kitten (biggest kitten I've ever held on my lap!), and two pythons, one of which I got to hold:


A Python named Monty?

Yep. A giant python. I've been able to see a lot of other cool animals while I've been here in Somerset. I'll tag the pictures onto the end of the post.

Anyway, that's the gist. Have a great week, Yinz!

Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim


 
 

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