Hey,
Tuesday started with our final interviews with President Johnson. I'm going to miss that man, he's taught me things I'll never forget and I'm grateful for his example. After that we saw Dorothy and Jorge and we're making progress with both of them. Dorothy is really starting to understand what we teach and I'm impressed. Jorge is trying to figure out his purpose in life and we're trying to help him exercise his faith to receive an answer. He's such a good man and humbly accepts what we teach him!
We went to see the Colombians on Wednesday as more of a follow up visit. We didn't get to see them on Sunday and wanted to make sure two weeks didn't go by without some solid contact. So we pull up and find Rou's parents sitting on the porch. I swear with Hispanos you never know who will be at their house. They were visiting from Canada and after a little chat we taught them the restoration. I don't know what will happen with it because they go back on Sunday, but hopefully we planted a seed that the Canadians can harvest. 🇨🇦 The best part was after the lesson Rou's daughter and friend showed us around the neighborhood and told us where we can find more Hispanos. One was a strike out, but we should have some more success in that neighborhood soon!
Thursday was the day in the life of a missionary. We saw a little bit of everything to be honest. It all started with Don. Things have definitely gone bad and he basically openly denied the Book of Mormon with all sorts of lame excuses. To be frank he doesn't want to change his life right now and won't accept the restored gospel. It's pretty sad because he's a good guy and a man who wants to follow Christ, but I've learned that you can't faith away someone's agency. He has chosen for now but I know he'll be back. He's had too many experiences to deny it all. Anyways, after Don dropped that bomb we went to the Lizarragas and were much better received. I don't know if anyone remembers them, but they're a part member family in our area. The kids are super smart and want to learn, but the mom hasn't been to church in a while. We're excited to be working with them and little Ricardito asked the best questions. It was fun to teach the restoration at such a simple level. Pray for them if you don't mind. Other than that it was pretty chill with a dinner and a member missionary lesson. Like I said, a little bit of everything. 😜
I spent Friday night and Saturday in Swissvale and it's always good to walk around and talk to people. We had good success with that and had a few good appointments with their investigators. It was great! That night we got transfer news and I'm heading out to Harrisburg! I'm going to join a companionship out there and so I'll be apart of a new trio. President hinted at that in interviews and it looks like it's happening. I'll also be a walk Elder so that'll be new for me! I'm excited and should have more to report next week!
We went out yesterday with a bang. Church was awesome and we had four of our investigators show up. Dorothy, Jorge, Ricardo, and Olga were all there for sacrament meeting which was fantastic. To make matters even better Elder Gary E. Stevenson was in town and spoke to us. His son is a member of our ward and he was in town for his graduation from Carnegie Mellon. He bore his testimony of miracles happening throughout the church and I was able to translate it to the group. It was sweet! He also talked to Dorothy for a little bit and it was a huge blessing for her. After church she passed her baptismal interview as well! She should be getting baptized this Saturday and even though I won't be there to see it, I'm so glad we've seen her progress and change in the past 12 weeks. She's a different person!
It's been a blast serving here in Pitt 7th and I'm going to miss it. I've been serving in the greater Pittsburgh area for almost 10 months and it's time to go see a little bit more of PA. I've met some amazing people here and been blessed to see some of the fruits of our labor. Time to see what we can do in Harrisburg!
Random Thoughts
- We made tortillas from scratch and they turned out pretty good. Shout out to Elder Montgomery for the recipe.
- Ricardo said: "Can I get early access to the Priesthood?" 😍 He's 10.
With love,
Elder Halls
3300 Union Deposit Road Apt. A105, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Pictures: Final interview with President and Sister Johnson. I love them!; Brother Stoddard. One in a million! I've learned so much from him.; Reyes Family at the temple!
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