Richmond Hill is a lot like Bushwick, except the trains are older, slower, and in worse repair, there are a lot more Indians (like, Indian Indians) and Guyanese, and the unit here is a Ward, not a branch. I'm kinda glad the Lord put me here, because raising up a pool from nothing is a challenging job, and it'll keep me focused until the end. Right now our best investigator is a sister named Elizabeth. How we found her was pretty cool- we had just gotten off the train my first day here, and we started passing out English Class cards. She and her husband stopped us and asked where the English classes were. That led her to mention that sister missionaries had passed by their house and taught them a little in the past. We set up an appointment to come by, and later checked our records for her and her family. Sure
enough, the sisters had taught them... half a lesson, and they had been dropped for no apparent reason. Anyway, it turns out they are the brother and sister-in-law of an investigator Elders Sundet and Moe are teaching, and they have a nephew serving a mission. The husband was out with the investigator brother when we came over, but thankfully we brought a member, so it was all cool. Everything made sense to her concerning the restoration until we got to the Book of Mormon. At first she thought that it was a book made by man, and not God, but the three of us were able to convey to her that she could put the book to a test, and find out for herself if it is true. She thought that was pretty cool, and said she'd come to General Conference, but she didn't show up. Oh well, as long as she's reading everything will turn out all right.
We are also teaching a guy who left the church, like he asked that his name be removed from the records of the church. It was kind of on accident that we passed by the first time, because his name hasn't been removed from the records yet. I think I mentioned him in my last email- his name is Daniel. He... is a little difficult. His problem is that he never received a testimony of the BOM, and the ward apparently didn't give him the support he wanted, and so when he came across some anti-mormon stuff he had absolutely no defense against Satan's lies. I'm not sure I want to teach him... He just doesn't want to read the BOM AT ALL. Elder Nielsen is advocating a way to entice him into reading by giving him a chapter or two and trying to prove how it conflicts with the bible, but I don't think that's the way to go. On the other hand, though, I realize that perhaps the Lord has been waiting a long time to put us into Daniel's path to bring him back into the fold, and perhaps He wants to work a miracle and soften Daniel's heart. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how much I ought to use my past experience and personal judgements, and how much I ought to hang on and give room for the Lord to work a miracle. I guess in the end it comes down to what the Spirit says, but what do you think?
If there's one change I'm proud of making on the mission, it's taking notes as I study or listen to conference. I LOVED Conference!!! There was so much there. My only qualm is that I was sick (stuffy nose, slightly sore throat, tired), so by Priesthood Session I was just hanging on by a thread. I'm going to have to go over those talks again. NyQuil has done the job for me, though, and I'm just about better. I really liked Elder Rasband's talk, as well as Elder Andersen and Elder Cornish's talks. Elder Cook went ham, too! I don't think I've ever seen him so passionate! Pesident Monson was looking a little bit better than last conference, too. I wasn't quite so worried about him when he was walking out as I was last time.
My district and I thought that dad's 'ordination to the ministry' is pretty hilarious (I laughed way too hard), and we're thinking of doing it ourselves. I dunno, it's a pretty easy way to be able to legally marry peeps. Elder Sundet was thinking about framing his certificate next to his doctorates degree in engineering...
Weeeeeeell... I think that's pretty much it on my side. I'm really looking forward to continuing our conversation about homecoming etc.
Love,
Elder R B Hull
enough, the sisters had taught them... half a lesson, and they had been dropped for no apparent reason. Anyway, it turns out they are the brother and sister-in-law of an investigator Elders Sundet and Moe are teaching, and they have a nephew serving a mission. The husband was out with the investigator brother when we came over, but thankfully we brought a member, so it was all cool. Everything made sense to her concerning the restoration until we got to the Book of Mormon. At first she thought that it was a book made by man, and not God, but the three of us were able to convey to her that she could put the book to a test, and find out for herself if it is true. She thought that was pretty cool, and said she'd come to General Conference, but she didn't show up. Oh well, as long as she's reading everything will turn out all right.
We are also teaching a guy who left the church, like he asked that his name be removed from the records of the church. It was kind of on accident that we passed by the first time, because his name hasn't been removed from the records yet. I think I mentioned him in my last email- his name is Daniel. He... is a little difficult. His problem is that he never received a testimony of the BOM, and the ward apparently didn't give him the support he wanted, and so when he came across some anti-mormon stuff he had absolutely no defense against Satan's lies. I'm not sure I want to teach him... He just doesn't want to read the BOM AT ALL. Elder Nielsen is advocating a way to entice him into reading by giving him a chapter or two and trying to prove how it conflicts with the bible, but I don't think that's the way to go. On the other hand, though, I realize that perhaps the Lord has been waiting a long time to put us into Daniel's path to bring him back into the fold, and perhaps He wants to work a miracle and soften Daniel's heart. I'm just having a hard time figuring out how much I ought to use my past experience and personal judgements, and how much I ought to hang on and give room for the Lord to work a miracle. I guess in the end it comes down to what the Spirit says, but what do you think?
If there's one change I'm proud of making on the mission, it's taking notes as I study or listen to conference. I LOVED Conference!!! There was so much there. My only qualm is that I was sick (stuffy nose, slightly sore throat, tired), so by Priesthood Session I was just hanging on by a thread. I'm going to have to go over those talks again. NyQuil has done the job for me, though, and I'm just about better. I really liked Elder Rasband's talk, as well as Elder Andersen and Elder Cornish's talks. Elder Cook went ham, too! I don't think I've ever seen him so passionate! Pesident Monson was looking a little bit better than last conference, too. I wasn't quite so worried about him when he was walking out as I was last time.
My district and I thought that dad's 'ordination to the ministry' is pretty hilarious (I laughed way too hard), and we're thinking of doing it ourselves. I dunno, it's a pretty easy way to be able to legally marry peeps. Elder Sundet was thinking about framing his certificate next to his doctorates degree in engineering...
Weeeeeeell... I think that's pretty much it on my side. I'm really looking forward to continuing our conversation about homecoming etc.
Love,
Elder R B Hull