Week 80: A Week in the Life.

This week was a bit frustrating. I felt like all of our plans the whole week seemed to fall apart every day. Ah well, such is the life.

We went back to visit Sister Duck, who we were so exited about. When we got there, she ran inside and her family came out and declared that she was Buddhist, her parents and all of her family are Buddhist, and she will stay Buddhist. We tried to salvage the situation, but the wouldn't have it. We didn't have much choice but to turn around and walk away. That was really abrupt and disheartening; she was so good. I was reminded of the phrase "stiffnecked" from the scriptures, and saddened by the blinded stubbornness displayed (to be fair, we are all that person sometimes).

We went back a few days later to eat at the restaurant that is at her house, and while we were there she came out and told us that she was still interested but had to get her family to warm up first. She also told us that she's still reading in the Book of Mormon too, and that she's gotten about halfway through at this point. She suggested that we drop by again in a week or so. Oh, that was so good to hear! I was left to reflect on why she would do that; go against family influences and all sorts of pressures to pursue this. I was impressed by the witness of and feelings inspired by the Holy Ghost that touch seekers of knowledge, and encourage perseverance in the face of opposition. There is hope for her!

Another neat experience was hearing our ward mission leader's story. He told us that he used to be a pretty rough young adult who wasn't heading very good places. He was sitting out in front of his house one day when the elders walked by. They invited him and taught him things he'd never heard before about God and His plans for him. But he said that it was strangely familiar, and brought feelings of peace. So he got baptized, and completely changed directions. Then his family noticed the changes and asked him what happened that caused him to flip his life around. He told them that he was Christian now. His parents were so impressed with his behavior that they decided to look into this Christian business and were met with similar results. They were both baptized.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has real power.

Until next week!

Elder Parish

1. We had a member with access to a machine shop make us some metal nametags, 'cause awesome.

2. We went and got some custom stamps made, because that's also awesome.