Elder Grow: From the Field

This week has been really hard and full of excitement. At times, it was super great and it sucked really bad. Tons of different emotions and thoughts that I never thought I could experience in one week.

On Monday, I got home at about 9:30pm and realized that I left my SD card reader and 64GB SD card at the public internet place where we usually write emails. I was super mad at myself and super sad because I just lost the last 3 months of my life. 400 photos and videos. I said a prayer asking God for a miracle. I knew there was no way I would get it again, but I still asked. I prayed out loud for about 10 minutes pleading that it would still be there. I still had doubt, but I was not upset or sad anymore.

The next day we stopped by some less active members and we were only able to get a hold of one out of the three that we stopped by. We were able to schedule an appointment to come over and I was very excited! We planned to meet with him in a couple days from now. On our way home that night, I told my companion (Comp) that we should stop by the Internet Cafe and see if it [SD Card and Reader] is there. He came with me and said that he has never heard of a missionary finding their card reader after leaving it. We went in and ask the guy if anyone turned it in. He said, "This one?" I was overjoyed and was super thankful for the stranger who turned it in. My companion was shocked that we got it back. I went home with a little extra bounce in my step that night. On our way home, a drunk lady called to us and asked us why we were dressed up so nice and what we do. We talked for a bit as she swayed in the wind. We gave her a card after we talked and we told her that we would love to meet sometime if she wanted. She was super grateful. She came a little closer to me, grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in to kiss me on the cheek. She just reeked of beer. She then did the same thing to my comp, but he got the bonus slobber.

On Thursday, we went to the prison to contact a referral. We get there and there's a huge plot of land surrounded by a 25ft tall cement wall littered with cameras. It was about 3ft thick. We walk inside and told the guards what's up. They took us to the waiting room while they got a hold of the prisoner. They told us that he did not want to meet with us. We guessed that someone else referred him, not himself. The prison was super cool and nothing like a US Prisons. US prisons just have fences everywhere with barbed wire. Here it was a fence or two with barbed wire, then the cement wall. It was really cool!

On Sunday we had a primary program. It was really good! I got some videos of it. All 4 of the Elders in the ward were asked to join in on one of the songs. It was fun. We then had an appointment that night and it was way good. We've been meeting with this lady ever since I got here. She is the one that plays the organ for the Evangelist Church. We talked about the Book of Mormon and we gave lots of testimony about it. I did not talk much until the end. When I did, I spoke straight from the heart. I felt a burning inside that I have not felt so strongly in a long time. My German flowed right out and it was really smooth. No stutters or rephrasing words. After the appointment, my comp said that my grammar was almost 100% accurate when I spoke. It was not me though. I know that for a fact. I can honestly barely speak German. The Holy Ghost really helped me out and it was because of Him that I was able to get my point across. The lesson was very good and the Spirit was super strong at that appointment.

I don't know who is reading this right now, it might be just my parents or it might not. But, to whoever is reading this, I want you to know that I know for a fact this The Church of Jesus Christ has truly been restored to the Earth. I know that the Gospel blesses lives, no matter how good you think your life is. It will improve the quality of everything. The Gospel is not easy either. It takes a heck of a lot of work. I know that God is our Father and the Jesus is the Christ because of the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will help men come closer to God. I don't know what else to say. It might sounds weird, but it is true, and I know that. I know that God knows that I know that this is His church, and I can't deny it.

I love you all and I hope you all have a wonderful week! Stay warm!

Elder Grow