September 16, 2013

Missionary Slim has a week of many changes and adventures (Week 84 in Pennsylvania, Week 8 in Dover, PA)

It's been a really fun week. Seriously. Incredibly fun. Here's the rundown:

Monday I went up to Harrisburg. Because Elder Ramos is training during this new transfer, he needed to drive out to Pittsburgh to be part of the trainer's meeting. I was going to be babysat by another elder in Pittsburgh, Elder Brady. 

We did work up there. He's in the walking area, so we hoofed it on bikes, walked, talked to dozens of people. He himself is waiting for a visa to Brazil, so he knows Portuguese, but not very much Spanish, so I was able to speak to some of the Latinos on the streets of Harrisburg. That was cool.

Tuesday I continued working with Elder Brady and we were joined by another misfit missionary waiting for a companion, Elder Staple. Again, we hit the streets, visiting less-active members, chatting with people, teaching the Gospel. Late that night, we met back up at the Harrisburg chapel so I could meet up with Elder Ramos and the new companion, Elder Bowcut.

Elder Bowcut is awesome, by the way. He's a Mandarin speaker going to Sydney, Australia (my dream mission, by the way). He was in the MTC for 11 weeks waiting for a visa before they finally gave it up and shipped him here. As soon as his visa arrives, he'll be on a plane headed out there. Until then, this Highland, Utah native will be working with us. And boy, is it a pleasure to work with him. He's got the lessons already down, he isn't shy at all, but is super humble. He came pre-trained.

Wednesday, we went to work and had one of the most successful days of missionary work I've had in a long time. I blame that good, old fashioned MTC Fire coming out with Elder Bowcut. We had a great lesson with a couple that we've visited several times. They're older, and had a lot of Mormon friends when they lived in Wyoming. Since coming back to PA, they've met the missionaries here and there, but as far as I know, we're the first ones that they've let in. He's really interested in pioneers and such (come to think of it, I might have talked about them before...  Oh well, anyway). We came over to give him a copy of 17 Miracles and ended up talking our way through the entire Restoration. Pretty nifty. We'll see where this goes.

Thursday, we chatted with a great guy named Jerry. He's not quite so interested, but he does like the idea of a modern prophet. He's interesting though - his neurosis in his feet has removed most of the feeling in them. When we stopped by, he had a cast on. "What's that for?" we asked. "Oh, it's a long story..." He then launched into a story about how his little ankle-biter dogs did just that - to his toe! Gnawed it right to the bone before he realized what happened. The only reason I tell that story is because it isn't something you hear every day!

Friday, we stopped by the home of Noel, an investigator who we taught a few weeks ago. She opened the door and stepped out for what she thought would be a 10 minute visit. Fortunately, she had time and was looking for a distraction from her house cleaning because we ended up talking for 45 minutes and gave her the whole run-down of the Restoration of the Gospel. Best of all, she agreed with most of it! I was floored, which you would expect wouldn't happen so much now that I've been out for a long time, but it still happened. 

Same goes with the mother of a less-active member who we visited. She herself is a very cheerful, lovable lady, and a devout Methodist, but she still listened intently as we explained the loss of priesthood authority and the Book of Mormon. When we asked if she would be baptized when she found out that these things are true, her reply was a very positive "yes." Again, floored. In a good way.

Saturday was spent doing service at various homes, the library, and attending the birthday party of Brother Bill, whose wife, Dee, is seriously contemplating baptism. Despite our lack of lessons, the day was still productive.

And finally, Sunday. After a week like this one, a good Sabbath was definitely needed. After church, we had the pleasure of teaching Desiree, who we haven't seen since her confirmation two weeks ago. Still, she was just as happy and just as full of joy as she was then. That was a pleasure and a blessing to be a part of.

We also visited Ferne, a great older lady who I've mentioned before. Out of the blue, she started talking about the Lord's law of health, which launched us into a discussion about the Word of Wisdom. Now, this wonderful lady hasn't been able to come to church yet, but regardless, she still had the faith to say yes when we invited her to give up her only vice: coffee. She gave us a hard time about it too, but in the end, she said she'd pray about it.

In all, a good week. The work really is moving.

Love,
Elder Alex Anderson, AKA Missionary Slim


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