This week was way good. We met a lot of interesting people and had a great lesson. On Tuesday we had a zone training that was really good and I felt like I got a lot from it. We need to invite more people to attend church, so that was good to have hit me in the head. After zone training we had a lesson with this girl, Dayjah, who came to church that previous Sunday because her friend (an RM) invited her. The lesson went really well and we testified and after we testified she asked us what our conversion story was. She wanted to know the member's conversion story and mine and Sister Andrus's conversion story. It was really cool and she said she wanted to have her own answer from God while she read the Book of Mormon. So we invited her to be baptized and she said that if God does answer her prayers then she will. She's on date and everything. She's super awesome and text our member that she's been reading the Book of Mormon. She responds to all of our texts positively and her friend said that she really likes us. She's way cool I'm excited for it to all pan out.
We had dinner at this lady's place whose son is serving in the Long Beach mission! His name is Elder Jared Varney. I think he's in Long Beach for reals right now, but if you find him that would be way cool. Sister Varney is gorgeous! I don't even know how old she is, she is just beautiful and she's been through a lot (years ago, but still). But she is so service-oriented. I'm learning a lot on my mission because of the homes we get to be in and the people we interact with. The wonderful examples of stellar members is definitely going to carry with me after my mission. We had tracted in her neighborhood before dinner and met a lovely girl named Kamilla that loves Mormons. She is Muslim and she is willing to take lessons just to learn more. She is really devoted to her Muslim faith, but she is wonderful. I love meeting Muslims, Hindus and other eastern religions. The people are so calm, open and nice. Even if they're not taking lessons from us to be converted, they definitely leave a positive impression on me because of their quiet example and humble faith and they are willing to learn more about others.
Wednesday we did service at the McArthur's. We like to do service right after studies because tracting at that time is SO ineffective. So we helped clean out her SUPER cluttered basement and cleaned all of her dishes. They were piled way high, but I like doing dishes so I had no issues with it. We didn't have a dinner that night so we went to this nice Chinese restaurant because there was nothing else around and it was kind of expensive. I don't think we'll be eating out anymore this month.
Thursday we had a contact that lasted for an hour and a half! We will be meeting with that contact again. This man was in special forces and he lived in Afghanastan and Iraq and the works. He's a big black guy that's originally from Jamaica. That's actually why he wanted to talk to us. We were talking to his wife first and she gave us her number and didn't have time because she was cleaning, so as we were walking away she called out to us and said that her husband actually wanted to talk to us. So they let us in and he said he always saw missionaries in Jamaica on bikes and always wanted the chance to talk with them. So we began to teach him and little did we know how smart he is! He wasn't bible bashing or anything, he's a genuinely nice person you can tell. But he knows his stuff. He was a free mason before, but some things didn't really quite click with him. Though he did say he got to the 21st degree. And he told us a little bit about what they practice. That was really cool to hear. He's been everywhere in the Bible except for Jerusalem, but he wants to go. He is so interesting. He would be a wonderful asset to the church, the Lord could really use him. Hopefully it all works out. Fingers crossed. If nothing, we've opened his eyes more.
Friday was good. Lot's of weekly planning and a couple lessons that went really well. Saturday we had a really good tracting experience. It wasn't the best with potentials and stuff, but I felt the spirit while we were tracting, even though I was freezing cold. It is so cold to tract for two hours everyday, that's all I've gotta say.
We had a sweet contact last night while visiting the nursing home. A lady in the ward told us to visit two other ladies so we did that last night and we didn't know what rooms they were in so we went to the nurses station and this man looked at our tags questioningly and said, "Sister Andrus, the Church of Christ... Jesus Christ of Latter day saints..." And we talked to him for a half an hour about his life and our beliefs. We're teaching him again this week. He's from West Africa and is extremely intrigued with the Book of Mormon. I really liked him.
Yesterday we had 6 investigators at church! They were all Persian... I love them to death! But the language barrier is making it difficult. I'm praying the something will come through. There aren't that many materials in Persian either and the Book of Mormon in Farsi is only excerpts. I can understand why since people can't really proselyte in Iran, Iraq or Afghanistan, but it's definitely a hindrance to our teaching. We're praying though. I really really love them. They are an awesome family that even brought their friends.
That's all,
Love y'all
Sister Smith
p.s. we need to figure out the time I'll be skyping y'all on Christmas! :)
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