Hey Fam,
Everyone keeps mentioning in their emails that they like all my stories and all the stuff I'm putting in which definitely is a motivation to keep doing my best with these so you all know how the mission life is going.
This week has been another pretty good one with a lot of things happening all over the place with either missionary work, Mission events and just general usual everyday mission craziness.
Since I last wrote on the Tuesday, starting Wednesday, we had several of the guys going home come down to our flat from throughout the zone. Elder Miller, Larsen and Shipp are going home on like the 30th, and previous to that the missionaries always go to the temple. So on the Wednesday after Pday, they came up, grabbed our car(which we so graciously suggested they use instead of spending their own money) and they rolled off. It was actually pretty cool because we had one of the companions with us, while they other went back to Nuneaton. We we're lucky enough to have Elder Shurtliff with us that day.
I'm not sure how many of you have seen The Best Two Years yet, and you should definitely if you haven't, it's very realistic at points, but also ridiculous...anyhow. The main character, he's kind of a waster for a lot of his mission...but then he gets a brand spanking new greenie. This greenie's name is Elder Calhoon. Now if you knew Elder Shurtliff, you wouldn't be able to see any difference other than a bit of looks and some blonde hair. Elder Shurtliff, has the glasses, the enthusiasm, the nerdiness and the drive to never stop working. When you call Elder Shurtliff on the phone, you hear "Hello, this is Elder Shurtliff, how can I help you?" all excited and loud. When you go to shake his hand, he does one of those elbow thrust in, hand lock holds, while complimenting your tie in a high pitched voice "That's a nice tie!" To top all the other qualities off, he never stops juggling or playing with his yo yo's. Anytime you see him he's juggling or hitting something. If he's got squash balls, basketballs, ping pong balls..whatever the case...he's juggling. He's also very incapable at the moment in a lot of ways just like Elder Calhoon. Can't speak to people despite the enthusiasm and excitement, isn't quite sure how to present and explain himself despite an obvious great understanding and love of the gospel. This guy is quality. But also a lot of fun.
We had Elder Shurtliff with us all of Wednesday till about 8pm, but we really worked him hard. In the morning we street contacted for about an hour and a half which was relatively unsuccessful, but I was able to give Elder Shurtliff some ideas on how to approach people, how to do it moreso effectively and what to say and not to say, that sort of thing. He was constantly trying to stop people which I was impressed with..he wasn't overthinking, wasn't putting too much pressure on himself, he was just going for it. One of his problems was that his objective was just talk to them, as opposed to teach briefly and HIT em with an appointment and get there details...he wasn't quite doing that. He'd also continually ask "Do you have a second/moment?", that sort of thing. I'm not the best at street contacting, but i've found if you present yourself quickly and explain what your "selling" people are more likely to stop and listen. Nobody has a second until it becomes important. Despite not finding anyone it was more so personally succesful I felt.
The rest of the day was actually really good being able to work with this guy. He's only out about 6 months so comparatively he's young, but he's also very willing to work. Later in the evening he gave a blessing to a girl about to go into surgery, got us into 2 houses while we were tracting(he's got lots of faith) and was even with us when we projected, and made a date for baptism for 2 more of our investigators. Overall a really good day. At the end he was like "I really like workovers" so I felt happy that we had achieved some success and progress with him.
Thursday was relatively dead. We actually went down to Warwick in the morning to try and help Elder Shurtliff and Elder Miller move into their new flat. The old one had just been dominated and made disgusting by previous missionaries. Plus they didn't have a shower and that's just never good. We drove down in the morning with them, but despite being there and ready to move...the mission hadn't yet sent the money into the Bank of the new flat. So we drove down for nothing. Elder Miller was fuming. Mostly the problem was, due to the new mission President coming in, President Munday is leaving along with a lot of the office staff. So now we have new people working the finances who have no idea what there doing...which is just craziness. Due to that we didn't get to move that day, but at least we got another free lunch from the Elders there, and a couple more CDs to borrow.
The rest of the day was pretty boring, some tracting without success and some appointments. The evening was spent with the Martin family having a dinner appointment there and watching the England match against Trinidad and Tobego. Football in england is absolutely crazy, and there's definitely no way we could have been out tracting, so I think President just figured...let them have a dinner and watch the game with members that night so as to avoid any trouble at pubs/bars/ or drunk people at the doors. It was actually a pretty cool game and it completed one of my mission goals or probably in this case, desires, to watch a match. England ended up winning that, so it was even sweeter.
Friday in the morning was planning so we were in till about 11:45 until our first appointment which ended up flogging us. This girl Natalie we're teaching, she's about 17 I would say and in college actually went pretty well. We had taught her the Plan of Salvation earlier that week and we talked a lot about all the differences within "Our" or God's plan of Salvation as compared to the rest of the Worlds. Elder Graham had kind of stumbled over the Garden of Eden part so it had sounded not so clear and concise as usual, so I kind of asked her what she thought and then I explained what we believed. She sounded unconvinced, so we busted out some Genesis and some Alma 12, and talked about how the Commandments we're given after they understood the whole plan and we're given a choice...just like in Genesis God seems to be saying DON'T TAKE IT....but gives them the choice. She ended up being like "Oh, ok, that makes more sense" and we plugged along. Sadly though her mom was in a car accident up in Leeds, so she was there that day instead of being taught by us....always something happening with people.
The evening was pretty good. We spent it teaching Alex, who was getting baptised on the Saturday, and also Grace, who was supposed to be getting baptised on Saturday.
When we went and saw Alex, he had read Alma 42 and totally loved it. He had told us that usually he's not the best reader and gets totally confused, but in this case he got it all. He proceeded then to say something like "It talked about Adam and Eve, and how if they hadn't partaken of the fruit, nothing would have happened, it would have just been them in the Garden of Eden, and God's plan wouldn't have been able to happen". I was like "UH...dude...it took me like 8 months to be able to explain it as simply and concisely as that". Me and Elder Graham we're way impressed. It was pretty funny too throughout Alex was just saying over and over, I wish today was just Saturday, "I can't wait to be baptised". That was a great experience talking to him and seeing his testimony and excitement. After him we went to Grace.
Grace is an entirely different situation. Alex is 17, Grace is about 21 and is a lot of the time, unless pushed and motivated, not too adamant about what he wants to do. In his brain he knows what he wants to do and when, he just puts it off or meanders around for awhile. Just to give you an idea of what I was thinking going into the appointment. Just the day before I had called Grace to see how his phone call to his non-supportive, almost anti mother went. He said "We'll talk about it on friday". When we showed up, he wasn't holding his Book of Mormon as usual, he wasn't relaxed and smiley, he was obviously thinking deep and worried. When we finally sat down to teach, he told us his mom had cried several times having heard he wanted to get baptised. He told us "I'd rather go to hell than make my mom sad and cry about this". So we were like "Woah". He then proceeded to tell us that his mom had asked him to speak to a Pastor, and he had agreed before getting baptised. It was actually that night that the Pastor was coming down ALL THE WAY from London, to pick him up, take him away Saturday and Sunday and go to church there. So obviously I was fighting tooth and nail to get him to just tell this guy to shove off when he showed up...to just leave...but Grace wouldn't do it. He ended up actually going with this guy and missing his baptism which was totally disappointing. I was totally shell shocked after that appointment, I just felt down and I was really upset...just punching walls and trying to get out some of the frustration before bed. We later found out at least the weekend didn't really work to his mom's advantage because he didn't like the Pastor and didn't enjoy church in London. We're still teaching Grace this Saturday but we're not sure how we're going to get him baptised.
Saturday was actually a really good day in the end. It seemed like it was just going to be another kind of dull day, just with tracting and not much teaching in homes, but we ended up making something out of it.
In the morning we went to see a lady named Linda just to try and see if she was in to catch her and talk to her. She's from I think Ghana or Burundi. It seems that most African people we teach are very busy due to work, so it's hard to find them in. We were lucky enough to catch her in that day and to follow up with her on what she had been reading and thinking about the Book of Mormon. She hadn't been able to come to church that week(and as it turns out to church this week for some reason) but she had enjoyed 3 Nephi 11 and Alma 32. She told us that she felt good about what she had read and what we had been teaching. We briefly talked about Faith and 3 Nephi 11 and how much of what the objective is in those, is for us to repent and be baptised due to our faith. She agreed and we talked about authority and our church. She understood that and we invited her to be baptised later this month and she accepted. She's a pretty cool lady and if we can get her commitment level a bit higher, her energy level would do well in the church along with her faith. As we left she decided to pray for us. I don't know about any of you, but imagine this situation and tell me what you would be thinking: 'DEAR GOD THANK YOU FOR SENDING YOUR ANGELS TO ME, PLEASE COVER THEM IN THE BLOOD OF YOUR SON, COVER THEM IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS. PLEASE LET THEM GO INTO THE WORLD AND PREACH YOUR GOSPEL, LET THEM SPREAD THY MESSAGE. IN THE NAme Of jesus christ, amen." She was like screaming in the beginning, being incredibly loud and insane and at the end she got quiet and reverent. All throughout she was trying to like pray as fast and energetic as possible..sometimes stumbling over her words. Me and Elder Graham left a bit giggly but happy she wanted to be baptised.
That night was the best night of the week for sure. Alex Agyea was getting baptised. He's the 17 year old guy we talked about. The baptism was set for 7, and we had told him to get there for 6:30. We had invited just about every black member of the ward as well as a lot of others to be there so that he could feel welcome, both by some of his countrymen but obviously as well by everyone else. Some of the young men's quorum as well as the Young Men's Presidency was there which was great. We had actually decided to have him be baptised by one of the Priests since Alex didn't care who baptised him. The kids name was Pun Lam, a chinese kid who's very cool. Despite telling Alex to be there for 6:30 and all the excitement I mentioned, He didn't turn up. About 7:15 me and Elder Larsen bolted, jumped in the car and went to pick him up...off in a hurry not really thinking what was going on...we got to his home and he wasn't there, he had actually just left
so we were relieved. We showed up and he was getting changed and everyone was getting reverent which was sweet. Due to the football and it being Saturday night, the buses were loaded and he couldn't get on. We always ask him if he wants a ride, but he wants to be self sufficient so that's cool. The baptismal service went great, as did the baptism. The Priests quorum advisor, who usually seems to be looking down his nose at the missionaries, and talking about his mission in Japan being more strict and how we shouldn't be too casual was actually commending us quite heartily so I was happy about that. Getting more of the trust of the ward always is great. I think he's just a bit jaded that we're so successful! Err...sorry that's just my pride speaking. After the baptism we got some photos and Alex was like "So, do I get the priesthood and to be able to baptise like Pun?", he didn't ask it in a presumptory way like he expected it, but just kind of wondering. We told him the next day he and the Bispo would have a chat and then I poked his brother Wisdom in the chest who's about 15 and said 'Then you can baptise Wisdom" and he was like "Sweet! That'd be great" Awesome night and it felt great to have been able to help finish this guy off, after Elder Chanlder and Salmon had to hand him over to us when they left.
Sunday was a pretty bad day for my allergies, so I was really tired and as a result felt pretty grumpy and irritable. Hay fever this time of year is absolutely terrible. I took the sacrament not feeing all that happy with what was going on for some reason and couldn't really figure it out. One of the members saw my problemos and actually gave me a 7 day pack of Hay fever / Allergy pills which was sweet. Also luckily after church I took nap for about an hour and felt quite a bit better. The rest of the day was pretty chilled out and we just tracted and got flogged by a bunch of our callbacks and appointments..swweeeet.
Monday was as usual...Monday. I can't even remember it all that much to be honest. I think the only good part of the day that really stands out to me was going to see Alex' art exhibition at his College in city centre. He's actually a really talented guy and he had been for the past few months putting a design together for an art show being held at his school. It was really pretty cool wearing our name tags and white shirts walking around inside this college with all the parents and kids there staring us down. At first I was feeling a bit out of place, and being uncomfortable then I was like "Be valiant, don't be fearful of man". A couple scriptures just flashed through my brain and I thought to myself "This is just another opportunity" which it definitely was. We had Alex showing us around, and introducing us to his art teacher and also to his parents. It was actually really good to be able to briefly talk to his parents. At first they seemed just nice and friendly, then I was trying to start up some conversation with them right before we left. I was thinking of all the things to talk about, and I just started asking about Ghana and telling them about becky and Nana who I had baptised from there. They all of a sudden kind of lighted up and started talking. Then alex was like 'you need to come over and teach my parents" which no doubt will happen soon, just need some free time on there part.
What was especially cool about that night though was the WHOLE time, Alex was continually asking us questions about going on a mission. What was necessary to go, and he kept telling us where he wanted to go and why he thought it'd be important. He was just like me and said "I would want to go to China", and we talked about that and that it wasn't yet open...but maybe in another 2 years it could be possible..you never know. We're going to do our best to get Alex ready, indoctrinated, BRAINWASHED...or ready to teach, and definitely also, coming out with us to see what missionary work is like. He seems totally keen so we'll have to get him out. Good night overall.
Tuesday we had an early day, out by 9 due to the football game that night. President told us to be out by 9am, have a half hour lunch and be in by about 5:30 since the craziness was going to be starting around then. Me and Elder Graham actually drove down to Solihull and worked with the Elders there. It brought back recollections of my days past there struggling to find people to teach. It's still totally the case and I definitely felt for these guys. Luckily though while me and Elder Wood tracted I got them one new investigator and later in the day me and him drove around to some previous investigators to see if they were up for anything. We went back to one that we had just dropped a DVD off to and they made an appointment with us later that week. I was pretty excited that we were able to get a bit done there and accomplished. Hopefully some good can come from it.
So throughout that email I mentioned a few people we were teaching: Alex, Grace, Linda...but we also have a few others were working with and I see potential with.
There's also Helen and Frank Johnson who are actually pretty cool. Helen's a bit crazy but very sincere and a lovely lady. She seems to have her moments when she does things you'd expect most normal people to know not to do..but perhaps she's just not normal like me. Frank is more solid than she is and is pretty normal I would say. Despite being a Mason and the Head of his lodge. Nothing dodgy from him has happened yet thankfully. So yah, there both pretty cool and assuming they come to church again this next Sunday and continue to demonstrate the commitment they have, and hopefully there down with all the commandments we're going to throw at them tonight, they'll be baptised the Saturday following this one. That'll definitely be cool...baptise a foundationally solid in life British mom and Dad. I think they have a son with really bad autism, so he should be fine, ie..saved.
We also are teaching some Nigerians who are pretty cool. We've seen them twice now, first time we tracted and got in the first time and taught. The second we just read 3 Nephi 11 with them since they hadn't. Anthony and Elisabeth are there names. It was pretty funny while we read since Elisabeth has kind of a weird accent and can't read too well, Anthony was just in quiet stitches laughing at her. I told Elder Graham to stop her from reading and explain the scriptures so as to get the atmosphere back a bit more spiritual. Despite that though the lesson went really well, if we can get them to church this or the next Sunday I see them both getting baptised. ...should definitley be sweet. There was also a new lady there just hanging out named Alia that we had just met. She apparently had a Finding Faith in Christ and Joy to the World DVD. While we read she was marking the scriptures and taking notes. Hopefully things will go well with her as well...just have to tell her to dress a bit more clothed, not so much like Janet Jackson at the Super Bowl.
I think that's about it for the week. Hope everyones doing great. I love you all, thanks for all the emails, always love to read them and hear from you.
Love,
Elder Smith
