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Hey Sorry its been a while. I don't get much time around here to do anything. Hopefully I will soon but here is a guy weve started working with. Out here there are lots of things going on.
We've had a few people challenge us and one tell us if we gave him 5 minutes he could shake our faith and No one really wants to talk to us. However we are working with this one guy who always tells us he is agnostic. His name is joe and loves to read. The only reason we were aloud back is because of what we said the first time we met him. Well when we were walking and talking to people for a few hours now and it was extremely hot and humid. We were drenched with sweat and tired. No one was interested and we were approaching the end of the street and we saw this dirty pumpkin orange house. We walked up the stairs and knocked on the door and a little old fella answered and asked. "what do you want" and we explained that we were missionaries and that we were going around and sharing a message about Jesus Christ. At first he told us that he was Atheist and didn't want to hear it. So we said alright well do you have anything we could help you out with? Any service work we would love to help mow the lawn or do anything that could help you. He stopped and looked at us for a few minutes then asked what our names were. We told him our names "Elder Burnett and Elder Jenks!" He said Elders huh? You look pretty young to be "Elders" We laughed and he asked how old we were and we told him 19 and 20. he laughed and said you know what. Ill think about it you guys should come back next week around the same time.
So we did and there he was sitting with his door open waiting on his couch for us. He let us in with a warm welcome and told us how glad he was that we came. We sat down and talked to him and got to know each other. He told us. Im impressed with you guys. Ive had so many others come to my house and try and share a message or tell me something or sell me something and I tell them no and they leave. But you guys offered me help. Im old and cant do much anymore and you guys offered to help me. Now I don't need you to do anything I have a guy I pay to mow my lawn so you don't need to worry about that. But im impressed with you and respect you. He sat down and he asked us if we have ever heard about these scholars that show how God doesn't exist and how these things couldn't be true. But then he told us that he believes in God. He then told us that we should read these books and that they are very interesting. I asked him if reading is a hobby of his and he pointed over to the pile of books and said I have a library upstairs. "I love to read. but ive grown old and need to go buy a large print bible." I asked him if I could give him a book and get him a large print bible for free. He said oh yes that would be wonderful and he asked what book we had for him. We explained it was the book of Mormon and he said. Id love one! I can reimburse you guys for the cost. We told him its fine there is no cost and that we would get him large print as soon as possible and that we would love to come read with him. He was just as excited as we are and told us how much he loves the bible and the stories in it and how you can apply them to everyday lives. Well we had to go soon after the conversation. But we are going back to visit with him soon! I am excited to.
There is a scripture that has a wonderful message about service. Mosiah 2:17 "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God." When you serve or offer to serve others they see that you really do care and that you aren't just there for yourself. Its a meaningful way to show love and respect.!
Recently the weather our here has been crazy. It has rained a ton and has broken the record for most rain fall since weather started being recorded. Its been hot and super humid and it can be exhausting. However the work goes on! recently with the temple open house the first day they were expecting just around 200 people to go through the temple with the missionaries however close to 2000 came through with us that day. They are expecting around 74,000 to go through the regular tours however since then there are going to be a bunch more. The Temple open house has been a great opportunity to answer questions and help others feel closer to Christ. There have been many fun stories we've gotten from the Sisters that are helping with the tours. My companion and I went with one of the recent converts from his last area and her son and her mom. While we were there we saw our mission president and other missionaries and so many people that wanted to learn about the Temple. The Temple is beautiful and the spirit there is so strong. It was amazing to go through and see the beautiful inside and feel the warm and powerful presence of the spirit there. Those of you in Idaho the Meridian temple will be finished soon. I invite you all to go through the open house if at all possible. it is a rare opportunity to see the insides of a temple for yourself and to feel the wonderful spirit that resides inside and on the grounds.
I love you all and hope you are all safe. I am doing well and have some pictures for you. One of a sunset of Indiana then the Indiana temple. Love you guys stay safe and continue to be awesome!
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