Greetings! It is another beautiful day, and we have had another good week in this part of the Lord's vineyard.
This Saturday we had a District Blitz. Our area has been struggling, so all the Missionaries came to our area and we were out working all morning. We paired English Elders with Spanish, that way we can have each companionship cover 2 languages. It was a good morning. The highlight of the experience goes back to a promise that President Merritt gave me on Wednesday. He told me if I kept going at the moment that I felt like giving up, that last contact would be someone we could teach. During the last hour of the 3 hour blitz, Elder Tobler and I were knocking through an apartment complex. We had made a visit with someone you used to be taught, and went around. We were facing a lot of rejection that morning and also got bashed by a Jehovah's Witness. We thought it might be time to switch gears, but Tobler wanted to knock on a specific door. We walked over there and there was no answer. While we were waiting I looked at the parking lot and noticed that the parking lot space and apartment number were the same. A lot of the cars were gone. But I noticed a parking space where a car was parked, for an apartment we had not knocked. As we were walking out, we walked past that door and so I figured we'd knock it—them being home increases the likelihood of them answering. That's how we met Liliana. She is a cool lady and said she opened the door when she saw "Jesucristo" on Toblers tag because she's been going through a tough time. We shared the Book of Mormon with her, read the Introduction together, set a return appointment, and invited her to read 3 Nephi 11. It was very good
We've met a lot of other people since then and got a lot of referrals from the Blitz, but none of them have progressed too much. Hopefully I'll be able to update you on them soon.
We also had a public Devotional with Elder Gary Sabin called "Why I Believe". We've been getting ready for it for a while, especially Elder Aguilar because he's performed in it on the Cello. But it was a good program! The best part was the "How Great Thou Art" performance. It's a new version of the song written by some missionaries here. I'll include a link to it when they finish the Facebook video so you can all hear it as well. From the stand you could see a lot of tears. I also got to see past members, recent concerts, and missionaries I used to serve around.
Yesterday was also a memorable day. I went on exchanges with our DL, Elder Vesterfelt. The craziest part for me was this one guy we crossed paths with. We waved as we were walking by and asked how his day was going and he just stared at us. We repeated the question, thinking he might not have heard us, but then he got a little upset and told us to go away. I was ready to comply, but Vesterfelt had a little bit of an issue and wanted to know what this guy's problem was. He started telling us that we were part of a cult and started walking up to Vesterfelt, but he didn't back down. Mind you, this was in the middle of the hood, and the sun was setting, so I thought he might punch or shoot Vesterfelt. But he was actually just walking past to get to his car parked in the street. We began walking away, but one of the best parts was Vesterfelt telling him that he should do his research for calling our church a cult. He also spat at our feet, so that was nice. Vesterfelt has a bit of an attitude with those kinds of people but we walked away.
We also went to the USS Midway Museum today which was very cool to see. I had been earlier last July, but we saw some things we hadn't seen last time.
So it's been a good week. One of the things I've been thinking about is the commission to remember! The Book of Mormon tells us to remember over 200 times. Why? Because we are so forgetful. As I have come closer to the end, I am very grateful that I have kept a daily journal, and recently, I have been trying to record the daily good things that have been happening. Whether it be a funny story or contact we had, a time I felt the Spirit teach me something, a good member meal and lesson, or something I'm grateful for, just anything good! It helps me remember all the little things. Little things, that when kept track of, become great things all together.
Anyway, I must go to bed, but I love you all! God bless
- Elder Wride
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