Doing What We Can

This week was way better than that last one and I'm starting to get a hold of this whole United States mission grind. I still have 0 new investigators, but I have been able to teach about Jesus Christ and repentance a few times! The first time was the most memorable. I was studying by Lake Michael with my comp in the morning and got all of D&C 4 memorized (in English). We had the idea to go home, change into street clothes, and go on a hike to see some nature. At the beginning of our journey, I saw 3 guys on a dock fishing and I had the impression to go and talk with them. I asked if they've caught anything and they answered me with "what are y’all? Jehovah's Witnesses?". I laughed and said we were missionaries and they were actually really happy to talk to some "men of God". Two of them were of the Muslim religion and the other was of no religion. We began to tell them how we were there to preach repentance among all the children of men and the guy (we'll call him Reese) had many questions about how to improve his life. You see, Reese grew up selling drugs, doing time in jail, I believe he's even killed a man. But he's finally in an honest job. There are 2 things he's afraid to give up for God, breaking one of the 2 BIG commandments, and drinking. We talked and talked forever. His friend, Mohammad, was all on board with us trying to help him through these problems; and when he finally made a promise with us and his friend to stop drinking, it was our time to depart. Burnt and crispy from the sun, me and my companion went on a nice walk in the woods where we then decided to spread out and give thanks to God in quite an amazing little "sacred grove" we came upon.

We had many opportunities to serve our ward members this week, by helping our neighbors move out, moving mulch into the garden of an inactive sister, and administering to a sick sister in need of a blessing. Even though my "numbers" say I didn't have a successful week, I feel like I’ve been doing quite well!