Wednesday, September 8, 2010

One Year Mark

Thursday is my official year mark. I'll have been in Utah for 12 months.

Elder Johnson is a typical Canadian, and reminds me a lot of Andy Bernard from the Office. His first day in the area I got a sweet family, the Godfreys to pull a prank on him with me.

The Godfrey Family with Elder Johnson and Elder Pearson

They have a daughter who I told Elder Johnson we were going to teach and prepare to get baptized. Bro. Godfrey picked us up and pretended to be Bro. Green, someone from the ward to come along with us and help us teach. We started the lesson and Bro. Green spent half the time teaching the more unique things about our church that investigators don't need to know. He went way into detail about a lot of stuff, which is a missionary's worst nightmare that we sadly face a lot.

Half-way through the lesson, Sister Godfrey, the "anti" mom got home. She yelled at us for teaching her daughter, yelled at her for having boys home without her there, and threw a fit. it was hilarious. Johnson bought every second. Definitely a memorable welcome to the area.

Last night we had a pretty cool experience. We were walking down the street when we got a text from someone we didn't know telling us to go to this house we just walked past. So we turned around and knocked on the door. It turned out to be a family who doesn't go to church anymore, but are all baptized. So we set up a lesson with them tonight. After we got out we texted the mystery person who told us about the family and thanked us. He told us that they've been fed a lot of anti-Mormon stuff and we should talk to the Bishop before going over there. So we did. He said that he and the stake president had been trying to get into the house for months, and was excited we were able to do it. So hopefully we will have a sweet lesson tonight and help this family back to church.

We also have a baptism this Saturday. Steve is getting baptized. Saying he's a golden investigator wouldn't do him the justice he deserves. He is beyond prepared. Half of me is mad nobody found him before, but I'm happy to get the chance to see him get ready for this Saturday. Teaching him has really accelerated and energized the work in the area. We have some more potential going and it's great.

I know lately I haven't had a lot of cool stories or good spiritual thoughts. It's not because I'm not having them or because I don't care any more. I love being out here. This last year my testimony has grown by leaps and bounds. I've grown more and in more ways that I ever could have any other possible way. I love being a missionary. I love being able to tell people every day what I know is true. One of the things that the devil hates the most is when people bear testimony. And I get to do it to every person I meet! I get to make him mad on a daily basis. I do know that Christ lives! He loves us enough to go through what he went through for us. Without him, life would be meaningless, but with him, its so meaningful. This church is true. I know it without a sliver of doubt. President Monson is an inspired man, and the Prophet of God. I got a ticket to the Saturday Morning session of General Conference, and I am counting down the days until I get to look at God's Mouthpiece and witness firsthand the spirit he carries with him. It's gonna be sweet.

The Jensens, Elder Brown and Elder Pearson (the Elders live in the Jensen's home)

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