Most of the talk around here is about the temple. The word is that it will be built in Carmel, just about 20 minutes from here. The land is being purchased now. It'd be sweet if they broke ground quickly before I leave Indiana, but that would be rushing it a bit. I'm definitely going to come back when it's finished in a few years. It's been a great missionary tool talking with people about the new temple.
We were asked this week to take 45 minutes and get familiar with www.mormon.org. I looked at it a little before my mission and a little in the MTC, but they've totally revamped it now, and it's a way sweet website! I encourage everyone to get on there and check it out and create a profile and do some missionary work!
Last p-day we went to the park to play volleyball. After we were done, I went to the car to get my paper and stuff to write some letters. No letters got written though, because I met Ramasamy from India. He was walking around the track at the park, and he said hello to me, so I stopped to talk with him briefly. He's just here visiting his son. I told him about Renu who worked in Chenai, India for 6 months of the year, and he said that's where he's from! As I was in my p-day clothes, I pointed out to him that I was a missionary and we got to talking about some church in India, and before I knew it, he spent 35 minutes showing me math shortcuts with 2, 3, and 4-digit multiplication. Wow, it was pretty neat. I'm definitely a nerd, because I really miss doing math! Finally we had to get going, and shame on me, I didn't have a pass along card with me, but I wrote down www.mormon.org for him to visit, and then he gave me his son's name and address and said he will be there until Nov. 12th. What an interesting experience. Maybe we'll stop by tomorrow before I leave and see if he's had the chance to look at the website. Who knows if he's interested or not, but at least it's some contact with the Church.
We met with Devon Tuesday. He told us he read 2 Nephi 3 (that's the first time he's read a whole chapter on his own - usually it's just random verses here and there). He caught on that it was prophesying about Joseph Smith, but didn't quite catch the 3 different Josephs mentioned, so we explained that a bit. We taught him the Word of Wisdom, and he was very upfront and honest about his problem with marijuana, and he volunteered that information before we had to ask him. He said he sometimes has coffee and tea, but it wouldn't be a problem for him to give it up. He said he wants to quit smoking, but it'll be hard. We encouraged him that he could do it and we'd be there to help him. We were supposed to meet with him Thursday, but he got the time mixed up, and then our communications got crossed for Friday and/or Saturday. So we weren't sure if he was going to come to church still, but we sent Naoto Suzuki over just in case. Naoto told us that Devon really liked church last week and said there was a special spirit there. And Devon insisted on paying tithing and he was so happy to be able to. A few minutes after sacrament started, in walked Devon, with a sweet tie on. He won the tie competition. He smelled like smoke, but oh I was so glad to see him! He just got a job, so now he can't meet during the day, so we'll have to meet with him in the evenings. Hopefully he doesn't miss any more appointments because we've got just enough time to teach him 3 times a week and get everything done without rushing before his baptism date on Nov. 6th. I'm excited for that. Hopefully I don't go too far away so that I can come back for it.
We saw Hector Tuesday and he hadn't read. Rather than reading with him again, we explained our purpose as missionaries and explained to him that if he wanted to come closer to God and know for himself what was true, that HE would have to do things. He realized that, but I don't think it's important enough for him at this time to make sure he does it. He was supposed to come to YM Thursday, but he didn't show up. :( He's got a good heart, but no follow through.
We stopped by to see Cindy Mahjoub. She said things have simmered down between her and Ali and that Ali wanted to meet with us again. We set up an appointment for tonight, but we called last night and they said that they're both sick. :( Ali just published his book. It's kind of an autobiography about his journey from Islam to the Unification movement, but it also claims to talk about how Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all worship the same God, and from thumbing through the copy that Cindy gave me, it seems to be his explanation of why the Unification movement is right. Hmm. It should be an interesting read for when I get off my mission. Their beliefs are quite odd in some cases. At any rate, I'm sure glad that things have settled down and that they want to meet with us again.
We stopped by to see Norma before she left for Germany for 8 days. I told her that I might not be around when she got back, and she was really sad. She told me to tell "the guy in Utah" (Pres. Monson) that I almost got her to come to church and that I needed to stay. Hehe. At least she's thinking about it. Maybe the new sister will be able to get her to come.
We had a lesson with Aaron Fox Saturday at the park. Sister Mat and I tracted into him on our exchange. He was friends with Naoto Suzuki in junior high, so we had him come along. It was quite the scattered and disjointed beginning trying to establish where he was at and what he was looking for. He told us he wasn't really looking for anything in meeting with us, he just wanted to show us compassion and give us a break from the rejection we probably face. Sister Marshall challenged him to read from the BOM and pray about it. He's a guy with tattoos and piercings, but he's really in to God and praying. He doesn't read the Bible much because he feels his direct relationship with God is more important. He told us he'd read from the BOM and pray about it, and he recognized that an answer probably wouldn't come right away. He's really got a good head on his shoulders. He feels though that any church that is centered on Christ is a good one, so that's a hurdle to jump over. But he's really nice and open, and he suggested meeting again later this week.
Paul made us dinner Saturday night. We have to have someone come with us since he's a single guy. We had a couple lined up to come, but then they cancelled. We couldn't find anyone else such short notice, so we called Pres. and Sister Collins. Paul is really a good cook. We joked about how any woman who catches him is pretty lucky because he comes pre-trained. ;) I was dying to know about both Angela and Allison, the two girls that he got set up with by sisters in the ward. So he told us the story for each and how he has a hard time choosing. One lives in Washington state and the other in D.C. Allison was here for his baptism, and Angela was here for his confirmation. He's really excited for start meeting nice women in the church and looking to start a family. Oh, he's going to be a great dad. :) Paul had some questions about the temple, so we talked about that and about how neat it'll be when he goes through. Oh, I could just sit and talk with Paul for hours about the gospel. His excitement and enthusiasm for it is so contagious!
We stopped by Saturday night to see Ramone and Sandra. Sandra was busy with company, but she came out and talked with us for a bit. Then Ramone pulled up and we talked with both of them and then set up an appointment for Wednesday night. Sadly, I'll be gone. I'm excited to see how they progress. It's the first time I've been able to meet someone and have their family interested in talking with us too.
Yesterday we met with Carl for the first time in 2 months. He told us that he really hadn't even thought about church or anything like that since we last met. He admitted that it's easy to drop that/let it go because there's no impending consequence. He said he has a hard time finding the motivation to act (read, pray, go to church). We talked about focusing on the blessings that come from acting in faith rather than focusing on the consequences that would happen. We spent time talking about faith and taking that first step and being immediately blessed for it. He recognizes that he has to put forth some effort if he wants anything to change. But he's pretty comfortable in his position of not going to church and not reading and praying. I sense that he does want that in his life, but it's not enough yet to get him to act. It's stirring within him though. He told us to keep on him about it and he would try to read and pray. He's got a good heart. I'm glad that he's so honest with us. If he'd just make the time to meet with us more, we could help him so easily. But, that's got to be his decision.
PICTURES:
me and my good friend elder chris hurst :)
district: cubit, jones, marshall, me, wasden, littlefield
well, that's all for this week. Stay tuned for next week to find out where I'm going! Love you all!
sister humpherys
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