Howdy howdy howdy!
Sorry
about last weeks email. I really felt bad about typing such a negative
email so I thought I chose a better option, even if it was really short.
I just need to be more positive! Positive in my emails, positive in my
area, positive with the zone in meetings... The Lord doesn't like
negative people. In a talk I recently read by Elder Tad R. Callister he
mentioned that consecrated missionaries always have a smile and a good
attitude because no matter what happens, they have the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. There's no need for me to get down on everything. I should be
happy that I've made it this far and that I'm blessed to be a part of
this church. And how wonderful it is! Now that's something to be happy
about. Word of advice from Elder Atkin this week: whenever you're
frustrated/angry/sad/down, just remember who you are and what you have.
Your problems will then seem tiny.
This
week was definitely a finding week. I think that I must've tracted
every single day. And I say that with all the gratitude and happiness
that my soul can possess. Sadly, our weekly indicator for new
investigators was a big fat 0, but man I had a blast. The Lord has
definitely taught me a few lessons that I couldn't place a price on. 1) I
know I've said this before, but I absolutely love meeting people. 2)
God for sure loves each of his children, even when they have the biggest
wad of chew dripping from their mouth or they answer the door with a
beer in hand. 3) No effort is wasted. 4) I've met dozens and dozens of
people that will someday be members of this church. Dead serious. 5)
Tracting is NOT A WASTE OF TIME, as many missionaries like to say it is.
If you do it right, don't set yourself up for failure, and show your
love of the Gospel, you will have success. While we didn't have any new
investigators, we have a list of potentials about a mile long. Now comes
the struggle of just catching them at home. People sure are busy...
A
few days ago we were out knocking doors in Ash Grove and we had a funny
experience I thought y'all would appreciate. Elder Heindel and I were
just finishing up a street before we headed back home for dinner when we
came upon the last house. It was a small, run-down home that had a big
sign on the fence that read: "WARNING: I'm a bitter gun owner clinging
to my religion." I'm usually not too scared when it comes to talking to
people, but for some reason I just chickened out on this one. Ash Grove
is a small town with strange people so I had every right to be. After a
short pause I told Elder Heindel that we should probably skip this one
and go back to the car. As I began to walk away my courageous companion
grabbed my arm and said with a smile, "We're knocking on this door
Elder." Oh great. I thought for sure I was going to get shot. Elder
Heindel knocked on the door and I awaited my doom. But to my pleasant
surprise, a nice old man named Frank answered the door. The same Frank
that I previously mentioned had a gob of chew dripping out of the corner
of his lips. *shudder* We told him who we were, what the Book of Mormon
was, and asked him if we could come back. Once again to my surprise, he
said, "Sure, why not." With the goofiest, toothless smile he wished us a
good day and we were off. I guess it wasn't my time to die quite yet.
So
yeah, Heavenly Father blesses us here and there in different ways that
we don't expect. There's many other nice people we met this week that we
hope to teach again in the future. Most of our investigators aren't
really progressing right not, but they'll come around. I have the faith.
Well, at least I hope I do... Either way, life is good and I'm happy.
Have a great week!
Love, Elder Atkin
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