The mission truly is the hardest fun you'll ever have. It's been a little bit of harder week but I had a pretty good time. I realize that I need to be more loose and have fun while still being obedient and a disciple of Jesus Christ. A lot happened this week- I'll try and cover the highlights.
Monday was pretty fun. We went to Valdosta to Dr. Thacker's. We had to wait for a while in the office but we got through. We played tennis with J and A which was really fun but we were all pretty bad at tennis. There were many, many tennis balls mercilessly catapulted over the fence (it wasn't very high which didn't help). But I had a great time. The R's had us over for dinner which was, as usual, delicious. R and R were going to come but they weren't able to make it which was sad. =(
Tuesday we drove to Tallahassee for Zone Training. We swung through Perry to grab Elder Y and Elder L. It was fun but it was a long car ride. The zone leaders taught about charity which was really instructive and enlightening. I really need to work on my charity. I then was dropped off in Perry with Elder L. We had a great time and had a wonderful dinner appointment which was really good. They made double-decker tacos and enchiladas which were actually really good. Elder L and I had a really good time.
Wednesday we had a FANTASTIC lesson with C. Elder B came along and it turned out really good. She's very traditional polish Catholic but she's reading the Book of Mormon and can remember and understand what she reads. We taught the plan of salvation and she understood everything. We then started to talk about baptism and how families are forever. She's praying and asking if she needs to be re-baptized so I'm very optimistic. I can see her slowly moving into the light. She's happier and she is liking the Book of Mormon more and more. She gets more and more out of our visits. She's a wonderful lady. We came home, changed, and mowed Sister B's lawn which was kinda fun even if I did get a bit burnt. I did the back lawn again and Elder F did the front but he came and helped me finish the back. We got to go to KFC (I know you don't like KFC mom). I had never really been except a few times so I was kinda curious. It was okay but not as good as Pizza Hut which is where we usually go with Sister P but the buffet was already over so we went to KFC instead (it was right next door). Their peach cobbler was pretty good and I enjoyed large quantities of mashed potatoes but overall I didn't like it as much and I felt kinda weird afterwards. Missionary coordination and dinner concluded the night.
Thursday was mostly taken up by weekly planning. We were able to see Brother W and his two grandson who we taught about God and how we can pray and what He's done for us. They don't have much religious background and they're very rowdy so it's hard to teach them. It was a good lesson. We grabbed M and his truck and ran out to Sister T's and got her couch (she had a extra but very nice couch which she gave to us). It's really nice and after some difficulty getting it all in the back of his small truck, we all crammed in and unloaded. Elder F just loves the recliner. He spends a lot of time in that chair.
Friday we tore down vines at the tennis courts and dropped off the polish Book of Mormon for C's husband (his English isn't very good). We had a good lesson with R and J during which we explained the plan of salvation. Of the two, J is much more interested. R was in and out and had to take care of some business. They're an awesome family but just very, very busy. We drove down to Perry and spent the night in the other Elder's apartment (we had permission). We had a whole war with mormon.org cards (Elder F discovered a way to propel them at high velocity with a rubber band) during dinner which was kinda fun.
We woke up early Saturday (6:00 AM), showered, and drove to Madison with the Perry Elders because Saturday was "Down Home Days". It was a bit like da Vinci days in Corvallis but not nearly as big and they didn't have an concerts or kinetic sculptures. The branch provided us with a booth to talk to people. We set things up with tables, lots of supplies, and a canopy. The Perry Elders came to help us cover more ground. We were right in the middle of the food section and I got some pretty good kettle corn and smelled funnel cakes for most of the day but I resisted. We talked to many people and gave away many copies of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". I was able to talk to some good people with some potential- one in particular stands out. I gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and she seemed pretty interested. She's getting shipped out to Africa pretty soon unfortunately (she's in the Navy) but I told her about mormon.org and how she can contact the missionaries wherever she goes. It was a very natural conversation and I really enjoyed it. We took the Perry Elders back to their apartment and got back to Madison in time to have some dinner and visit R and R. We had a very good lesson with them about what happens after we die. We covered the spirit world and the three degrees of glory and they were able to get a good grasp on it. They asked if I knew anything about computers as someone gave them one but they didn't know how to connect it. I connected it together and turned it on. It was funny. R was pretty excited- he talked about getting a new "rat" for it and everything (a new mouse). They're progressing really well.
Sunday was a pretty good day and I met someone I had never expected to see again. M, the homeless man in Pensacola came. He was wondering if he could come in even though he wasn't dressed well. We brought him inside and the branch did a great job of being friendly to him. He stayed for all 3 hours. Brother W came too which was great! He started coming because of his grandsons and comes when they come but this time he came without them as they were sick. It was awesome to see him. =) We had some good visits but we ran out of people quickly. We hit a wall and were thinking for a bit when we finally decided to go see Mr. M. We had a really good talk with him. He's very nice and has some interesting views on life. We asked him our inspired question: "What is the purpose of life?" He thought for a moment and said "I've never been asked that before... I don't know". He doesn't believe in life after death which makes having an answer difficult. We answered his question and it was a neat moment.
This week was hard but good. I love and miss you all!
Sorry I forgot my backpack in the car so no pictures today. =(
Charity never fails. There are many who fail but not due to a lack of faith- but of a lack of charity.
Elder Matthew Carlson
[Matthew and his companion were written up in the local newspaper this past week. You can read it here.]
