Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Week 37 - July 23, 2012


Hey there!

Another fast week here in Clarksville. A few exciting things happened this week, one of them was a visit from Elder Munns, of the Seventy. We drove into Louisville and met with tons and tons of other missionaries for the meeting. It was really good, and he and his wife are really really great. They were mission presidents in Japan before he was called to the Seventy, so they had interesting stories to tell. He talked about how during his mission they always taught lessons in the church building. Well, if anyone ever bailed on them, they would go down to the train station nearby and contact people, even for just 5 minutes, and run back to their appointment, that way they were using their time most effectively. He said that more of those contacts ended up progressing in the gospel than tracting and other ways to find people, and I thought it was way cool that just a few minutes to rest could be better used just to chat for a second with someone. We don't have any busy train stations, so it's hard to find people sometimes, but we still are trying to talk to more people and spread the gospel. Also, that Michael guy that I have written about -- the one we contacted at the park last month -- he's getting baptized next week! Way cool! So no effort is wasted, because we just never know who is ready for this message!

It seems like we had more people in Kentucky that wanted to fight or Bible bash with us -- people here aren't too hostile. But the other day we met a lady who we thought was really nice at first, and then got kinda crazy on us. We said hello to her, and asked if we could share a card. Then she broke into this giant rant about how if we were true disciples of Christ we would be down in the dirt, helping the less fortunate, etc. She said that if we really loved Christ and all of our brothers and sisters, we would be willing to give up anything for them. And after she said something she thought was impressive or a zing, she would say, "Real talk." It turned into a big "I don't have any money," kind of thing. So we told her that we don't do the money thing, and that we would call her if we found out anything for her. But the whole time I was thinking that the gospel would fix your life more than money and donations anyway, so I'm glad we don't do that kind of stuff as missionaries. How's that for some "real talk." She also tried to tell us Jesus was black. In the end, it doesn't really matter, does it? But we walked away laughing, and "real talk" is our new favorite thing to say. Haha.

We got a call from a chaplain that works in a hospice program. He is taking care of a Puerto Rican lady that says she's a Mormon, and he asked if we could go by and visit her. Her name is Digna, and she got baptized in Puerto Rico a few years ago. Now she's got some health problems, and is here in the States living with her daughter and granddaughter. I'm so so glad we brought a member along with us, because I did not understand much of what she said when we got there. She's worse that Cubans, and they are pretty hard to understand most of the time! Haha. Anyway, she is super duper nice, and she is in good enough shape to come to church and everything, so she and her granddaughter came yesterday! That was cool. And our ward is having a talent show on Friday, and they want to come to that as well, so we might have just significantly increased the Hispanic LDS population in the ward! Hahaha.

Church was actually a big day yesterday, because Digna and her granddaughter came, Rodrigo and Esbeyda came for the second time, another investigator named Elmer came, and a less-active we just started working with came! Sundays are a little stressful when you are trying to get everyone situated and have translation and all that jazz. But it was way cool! It wipes you out though. I guess that's why P-day is after Sunday -- so you can recuperate a little. I'm still tired though! Haha.

I can't think of too much else. Oh, Aida is doing well. They are probably going to move into Louisville in August, so that's sad. But she likes the branch over there, so that's good. There's a better group of Hispanics over there, so I think that it could be a really good permanent place for her.

Keep on keepin' on! Y'all are the best! Real talk. Hahaha

Love,
Zac

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