Week Sixty One

There were a lot of random things that happened this week. 

I got chased by a Islamic dude in robes in the city of Lynn while on exchanges with an Elder from Billerica. It all started out when we were sitting in the car, and we saw him sitting on some steps. I was like "we should give a Book of Mormon to that dude", at this point we didn't really see his robes. So we walked out of the car, and up to him, and he started yelling at us saying something about how our nations are falling, and his will be Supreme. Then some random special Cambodian dude who was sitting next to him was like "Why are you wearing that hat?" to this guy, and the guy went off on some tangent about his hat when the Cambodian guy was like "Take off the stupid hat!" then they started arguing and we thought we could make a breakaway at that point. So we start walking and this dude runs and grabs a long coat to put over his long robe, and starts running after us. Then the chase ensued😂😂 We made it around the block and back to the car, but our key fob is broken so I had to unlock it manually, and get in, and unlock the other door, and by the time the other Elder got in the car the dude had grabbed his arm, but he slammed the car door shut, and I took off into some traffic. I got a pamphlet from him though.

Same night I gave some Buddhist guy an Asian banana and he gave me a candle from Salem that calls upon spirits. So I tossed that thing. It was a good exchange though. We got a lot of teaching and finding in! 

I had the opportunity to interview a man named Jesus for baptism. Somehow an hour and 20 minutes flew by. We talked about repentance, and the atonement, and he told me some great stories about his life. After we were through he really wanted me to come to his baptism this next week, but I told him the chances were pretty slim. I'll get the pics of it though, and send them next week.

Its been a good week. We've been using the phrase gird up your loins a lot recently for some reason. We said it at a members house, and he asked us if we even knew what it meant. I was like " yeah it means get to work" he told me I was correct but then he showed me a step by step picture on how to physically gird up your loins. So pretty much I wish we all proselyted in robes, so I could gird up my loins on the daily. Anyways, everyone gird up your loins and get to work! 

Zone Conference

Week Sixty

Well this week was going fantastic until the city of Lawrence decided to blow up! In our zone we have two companionships working down there, and when it happened we got a call from one of them telling us that it literally looked like Sodom and Gomorrah outside.  President Blair texted us and had us call him. He had us make plans for the Elders to stay with us, and another set. So the week got even better when we got to blitz our amazing area for the second half of it!! Both sets are fine, and they are back in their areas.

This week we put in some hard work. We did a lot of walking and a lot of talking. We saw some cool miracles this week, and ended up setting 3 dates for baptism. I'll film a video of one of the people we are teaching and let him tell you his story soon. This same investigator showed up to the church for a lesson at 8:30 and he brought a few friends with him. We were glad they came, but kinda confused. So we greeted them, and chatted for a bit. Long story short, our investigator Taylor thought he was getting baptized and brought his friends to come watch!  We had a lesson by the font and taught all of them the Restoration. It worked out great and he decided he wanted to be baptized in the ocean. So we will see what happens. 

Speaking of the ocean.... we had a really fun p day at Nahant Beach this week! We played a bunch of sports, and Elder Spice taught me how to play domino's. It was a great way to end an awesome week, and I'm excited for the next! 

 I found my brother Harambe. Gone but never forgotten.

This food truck is BOMB! 

 

Salem, MA

Week Fifty Nine

This week flew by, I can't believe its the second p day in September! 

The mission is doing great! This Wednesday it hit 100 degrees again, but yesterday the high was like 62. So my body doesn't know what to think of all this weather. It makes for great conversation starters on the street though. I love the people out here though. We've been doing a lot of work in Chelsea the past couple of nights, and we don't know any Spanish. I saw some guy with a sick cowboy hat, and I asked in spanglish if I could wear his Sombrero. It felt great. I showed him the picture of me in a Sombrero I keep in my wallet at all times, and he chuckled and ran inside to grab some waters for us. Anyways I just got sidetracked.

This week I went on exchanges with a brand spanking new missionary and showed him the ropes. Whenever I have a newer missionary with me I like to go crazy street contacting. Let's just say we ended up in a lot of interesting places. If you have read these consistently you'd know I always find myself in weird situations though. The highlight of the weird places we got into was a random Haitian Pentecostal church.

I don't have much else to report on, but we are seeing a lot of progression with our investigators. I taught the best law of chastity lesson on my mission so far with Elder Burger, the new missionary to a lil 70 year old dude. 

The mission is good, and life is good. 

Lynn is an artsy city now. 

Some pics at Nahant and Revere Beach.

Late night in Chelsea.

Week Fifty Eight

This week was a hot one. For some reason, I think there may be an unwritten law of the universe, but I believe that whenever it is very cold, or very hot, people I'm teaching decide to bail on appointments. So of course, because it was mucho hot this week, I had the privilege to walk the streets in the midst of the heat. I'm not complaining though, because I know it's about to get cold real quick. New England is awesome!

Looking back on the week I don't remember too much besides walking and teaching. While we were walking through the fire and brimstone of Lynn, we bumped into one of the most interesting dudes I've ever met. He said everyone called him the godfather. He was sitting in a black corvette, shirt off, smoking a cigar, and he was listening to that Andre guy that sings really good. We struck up a conversation, and we covered a lot of subjects. He's not interested in the gospel but took a Book of Mormon to compare it to the Bible.

We teach a lot of Africans, and last week we got invited to an African barbecue. Needless to say... It was a party. We knew a few of the people that showed up, and by the time we had to leave we had integrated ourselves into the African community. They had a dj, and like 5 grills going all at once. They were partying away listening to some music from the Congo. Shout out to Liberia though, out of all of the food there, the Liberian stuff was the best.

Anyways the work is going amazing out here, and we are looking forward to see what the rest of the month has to offer. We are working hard, and looking for people that are prepared to receive the gospel. In the city, it seems like there are people prepared around every corner. I'm glad I learned how to work hard in Colebrook, because I would hate to see an area with as much potential as this one be wasted. Good week though, and I'm looking forward to the next! 

Byeeee.

 A picture of a moon some random dude we talked to on the beach took a few nights ago.

 The Godfather

 Shout out to Rockland!

We found a Costco in our area, yes!