The Extremely Silent Banshee

Good evening folks, 

How was everyone's week? Anything interesting happen? Don't worry I will not ask you to actually reply to these hypothetical questions--it would be such a shame if you had to move your fingers a few extra times to type up a feeble reply!

Monday was great the Minden Elders came up and we went shopping and ate at Panda express. I can never tell how good P.E. actually is because I think my opinion is skewed because I love Panda Bears so much! We also went and hung out with Logan and Sarah and played some super fun party games. Maybe some of you (*cough cough* malachi) will recognize what we played...

The evening was fun too, I went on exchanges with Elder Ward, and we walked around some VERY dark neighborhoods and talked. We met some cool people too, including a lady named Breanna who's interested in the Book of Mormon! We also saw a small car with:

1. An SAU sticker

2. Hanging knick-knacks from the mirror

3. A Fluffy pink steering wheel

4. A sparkly license plate holder

Upon finding the required evidence, we determined that there was an indeed college student at said residence, so we knocked. We were right (as we always are, we've become pretty good at profiling)! She came out and was really interested in learning more! We were able to share a scripture and talk about the Book of Mormon with her. We also played some Jenga that night and got transfer news. Elder Stroud and I are staying thankfully. Unfortunately Elder Ward and Elder Haymond will be leaving us though. :(

On Tuesday we drove down to Minden for district council, and had a really good meeting! We learned that someone the Brownlee Elders are teaching said "I know all about you Mormons, I once tried to break into your temple!" Turns out many years back she climbed the fence at Temple Square (not knowing it's actually open to the public) and started climbing the Salt Lake Temple so she could break in and see what it was like inside hahaha--she was caught and they asked her to not do that and let her go. 

For lunch we had Subway, and then went with the Millers to Springhill where we visited with Tawanna. She was happy to see us as usual, and might be getting her Patriarchal blessing on Sunday hopefully! In the evening we walked around and ran into a guy named Patrick who was also knocking one of the houses we were visiting! So we struck up a conversation and then when Glenda came out we shared a scripture with both of them haha--Then Patrick offered to say a prayer, and I don't think I've ever heard someone say "Father God" so many times in a 2 minute span in my whole life! It was a good prayer though.

Then we went and taught Jarriod and oh man that was a crazy experience!! He invited us in as usual and he asked us some of the same ignorant questions as he did last time, showing his inability to listen properly. Once we got through the preliminary questions though we got to meat of the thing! He asked who we think goes to hell, and so we dove into the Spirit World. As we started talking about it his face showed utter disbelief and maybe a little horror haha--and then he kept interrupting us with what it's and not letting us finish. So we spent an entire 40 minutes on just covering what could have been covered in 5 minutes if he would let us finish speaking! Also he thinks everyone has equal opportunity to accept the Gospel and doesn't think we get any more chances after this life. When we brought up certain African countries and China, etc. he just kept saying "look at all the churches around us, there are plenty of opportunities!" As if that's how it is everywhere haha

Also he kept giving us scenarios if people and asking us to say if they are going to hell or not, and we kept replying that we don't judge, thats for God to do. But then he would say that ISN'T judging, even though that seems like the EPIDEMY of judging to me! But I guess deciding someone's eternal fate based on who they are is only SOMETIMES judging. Anyway we finally had to go, just wait until he hears about the 3 kingdoms of glory hehe! Also he kept saying that the Bible said things that it doesn't. He would take common sayings, and then say "as the Bible says" and then spout something that the Bible does not say haha

Wednesday we got to test a bunch of electronics at the Thrift store. We walked around the campus and campus apartments and met a girl named Rejoyce who seems interested! Also talked to a guy named Cameron about his Mustang and work for a while. He tried to sell us his Mustang haha--dont worry I bought it! ;)

The evening was pretty normal except when one lady yelled out from her bathroom saying she was in the tub when we knocked! We set up another lesson yelling back and forth. Also talked to this lady named Savanah who we suspect is making meth due to white gloves she had on, and the words, "come back later I'm cooking." 2 days later she's completely stumbling around and high as a kite haha--Then this week when we stopped by to check on her she saw us and changed from normal to "really sick" and told us her foot is hurting and head and she needs some rest. We are dropping her.

Later in the evening we felt inspired to knock a door near one of our dots. So we knocked it, and turns out its where Emma (who is super interested and we met at the campus last week) lives! We hadnt known her address so she was surprised but was happy to see us, and she had her friend Tori come out too. Turns out Tori is a freshman less active member at SAU right now, who knows Sarah. She has a Brother on a mission, and seems interested in sitting in on some lessons with us and Emma! She said she would make sure Emma downloaded the Book of Mormon app too! Really cool, hopefully we can actually start teaching some more girls our own age and middle aged too so we have a more balanced teaching pool. :) We also taught Sonya and put her on date for baptism December 9th! 

On Thursday we walked the dogs and they were STINKY today. So we let them walk as far from us as possible. We talked to a guy named Tarence who's eyes were bloodshot hed been doing so many drugs. We did meet a cool guy named Jabarie who seems genuinely interested though! We also met this lady named Stacy who we were led too when we planned our day of where to go! She's really excited about the Gospel, and said God must have sent us cause she was having a horrible day! (Don't worry I'm not excited about the horrible day) Talked about Christ's Atonement with her. We also visited Reed and after we knocked on his door since we were standing right by his truck with extremely tinted windows Elder Stroud said "what if he was just sitting in his truck" jokingly, and then he got out haha--it was hilarious and we taught him the Restoration right there. 

Friday morning we made some brownies and brought them to Sister Hunter since she's always doing so much for everyone in the branch. Her family estate is cool, they have tons of old cars, tools, construction equipment, tires, spare parts, and bikes just lying around. Looks like an old scrap yard but it isn't too messy. We taught a lady named Shakoya in the afternoon, and our other 7 lessons fell through. :) We met a girl named Jaz who's interested though! Her eyes wandered endlessly as we talked but then she kept giving answers that showed she was listening! In fact the Book of Mormon intrigues her, and she said to send her the app immediately. We also taught Becky, Farod, and Fatima about church organization but kept having to stop because a baby Becky was babysitting kept doing funny and loud things. Its always great talking to Farod (11 years old) though, hes more interested than the others! Other than that nothing very exciting happened Friday.

Saturday was fun! We walked the dogs as usual and one of the ones I usually walk always wants to get the cats sooo bad. He stands poised with ears and tail straight up, and then tries to pounce but is always hindered by the leash. Then whenever we take him back in he looks forlornly out the window at the cats wishing he could grab them. Also Elder Stroud made a funny noise at him and he took off like a rocket ship and licked him in the mouth! In the afternoon we had a good visit with Erik Russell and his many cats, and met a lady named Jasmine who's hoping to come to church! Also ran into Logan who did a burnout in his Mustang for us :))

In the evening we went to the Southern areas, and felt inspired to knock this door. A lady opened it, saw us, yelled "no!", and slammed the door. So we started walking away and then 1 minute later she yelled out to us to come back! She apologized, gave us waters, let us in, and we talked to her for 40 minutes! She has been going through a lot and thinks its a sign that God sent us. We talked about the Spirit World, and the Book of Mormon, and how the Bible isn't perfect, and so on! She agrees with us on many points. Also she was taking shots the whole time haha-- Then we went over with the Millers to the Morales family (nonmembers but Juan [who's in jail (sadly [but don't worry it will work out!]) Who's their dad, is a member, but his kids are staying with his Grandparents) and had a great FHE style lesson! It went really well, we played games with the kids, and then the Millers taught a lesson in broken Spanish about the Restoration to the kids and Grandma. They seemed to really like it.

On Sunday we had Becky and her family come to church and also Dinah! It was a great sacrament meeting we asked the Patriarch and hid wife to come and speak, and they gave great talks. We also had a Linger Longer, and then ordained Logan to the Melchizedek Priesthood in my office after church. We had a good Linger Longer with food, and I also got to do some more Tithing Declaration interviews. Other than all the meetings, we also did temple prep with the Flowers! It was a good Sunday.

-Abe