I promised a couple people that I'd write a weekly this time so this will cover the past 2 weeks. Sorry for any typos, my phone has been silly thanks to maas360 (agency remover app on phones). We do have transfer this Thursday, but our mission president procrastinates his part in deciding where missionaries will go, so we won't get any news till Wednesday evening.
A couple Sundays ago, my companion and I were with a sister from our ward for a weekly lesson. That time, that sister noticed that my companion never let's me speak in lessons, other than to say "we leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." And so this sister said she wants to hear from me the next time and not from my companion, which was great. It was obvious from the beginning of his transfer that my companion wouldn't give me a chance to talk and all the companionship inventories about that hasn't done anything, so it came down to praying for patience and a softened heart towards my companion. This sister with only a couple words was an answer to my many prayers. I'm learning patience and tolerance for something.
We've had some pretty cool things happen with random people who aren't members. We went to get ice cream and there was a guy in line ahead of us that I started talking to and since we can't proselyte, I kept it with just getting to know him. He had talked with missionaries before but moved and hadn't seen any since and wasn't very interested in learning anything, but he was super nice to us during hat conversation. He ended up buying both of us ice cream. A couple days later, we decided to get pizza for dinner, so we went downtown and the place we went to had an interesting set up, we were confused with it. So I went up to a guy and asked if he knew how it all worked and his response was "no thank you, not interested. Not the place or the time man." And I just told him I wasn't preaching, I was just asking how to order. He was like oh yeah, sorry, uh blah blah blah... so we went over to order, nd the pizzas were hecka expensive, so we just decided to go somewhere else. As we were leaving, that guy called us over and asked what we got and we told him nothing and explained and he asked who we were and why we don't have very much money and all that and we just explained that we left everything behind to serve God and we don't get paid, we just get a little "allowance" every month. He bought us a pizza and we talked a bit more and he said he respects us as a 21 and 19 year old guys who "could be partying with cute girls and enjoying life." Hahah and he's not wrong, there's a lot id rather be doing, but I've been growing a lot out here. Another time we went to try the famous jucy lucy burgers and those are delicious, but we were randomly seated next to some members who paid for our food and we had a really good conversation with them. Anyway, 4 random people showed us kindness which got us through the week. Id encourage all of you to support your missionaries in any way you can. It doesn't have to be food or money, just being invited to spend time with your family means a lot and helps a lot. It isnt so much the food for us, although that is always very kind, but it's the interaction and knowing that people do care about us and that we aren't alone. Treat them as you would want other people treating your children.
We take some walks here and there to get out of the apartment and to enjoy the dangers of this city and it's always adventurous. We met a dragqueen who we started teaching, until he said he believes all of this (the world, his life) is only a simulation, the only commandment that matters is love, and that Jesus Christ committed suicide. None of that is true, by the way. We've talked to a girl that used to be a witch and she has some very dark stories, but now she's married to Jesus... We've met some people who have been using drugs for years and years and it's sad to see what that does to the mind. We've been cussed out and threatened. We've met a couple people who asked about our church and said they'd come, they haven't yet, but fingers crossed. A couple ex members who made fun of us by singing "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" but jokes on them. We get some news every morning and unfortunately there are always overdoses, shootings, burnouts, dumpsters on fire, dogs getting kidnapped, and a bunch of other things. This past week a young woman was decapitated by her boyfriend in the middle of an intersection. This city is sad and dangerous. The majority of the people we have talked to dont believe in God because of everything going on. But the smaller group of people who still believe in God have grown closer to him. It's the same theme in the Book of Mormon. Those who do evil, continue to harden their hearts and during trials, their hearts are hardened even more. Whereas on the contrary, those who believe in God and do good, have something to live for, to hope for, to work for, and their hearts are softened.
If anyone has read up to this point, I'll end soon.
I got to do exchanges with the Spanish elders and that was super fun. The gift of tongues is truly real and a divine gift. I really enjoyed being with those elders and still having a different culture to experience. Because spanish and italian are so similar, I was able to understand a lot of what was said. But I noticed that as an English missionary, while I still do my best to listen, I still get thoughts of what I could say and then I hang on to them before the person speaking is done. Whereas in Spanish, I had no intention of thinking of anything to say because I was trying so hard to figure out what they were saying. There is a difference. Truly listening to someone helps grow love for that person.
I have 6 months left and I'm very excited to go home. During these final months I would really appreciate prayers for patience and long suffering as well as charity and positivity. Some of you know, many of you don't, that I've had depression for a couple years. I never tried to get it under control until my time at home after Italy and before this half of my mission. Being a missionary has sent me back into depression, despite taking meds. I'm doing my best to keep my head above the water, but most days I feel like I'm drowning. I was doing much better before returning to missionary service, but with everything happening as a missionary with the circumstances of his mission, my best efforts aren't enough.
Im always told to write an email so everyone knows im alive and what I'm up to, but I dont hear back from anyone. It would be nice to know you're all alive and what youre up to. Have a fantastic week and I pray you all find someone to share your light with.
Here's a picture with a family that took us out to eat
Wednesday we had a zone conference with Elder Wong and he's just all over the place. It was good, I didn't get a whole lot from it because it was basically to tell us that we suck at baptizing people. I didnt respond too well to his way of "encouraging" us to get more numbers. Thursday was a day of nothing. Friday, my last companion and I got permission to go to our last area for the funeral of the young woman we were teaching and that was a special experience. Her spirit was there and filled the room with love. I'm really thankful to have been able to attend. Saturday we spent the whole day doing service. We helped move a family into our branch and they're a super cool family. 2 of their kids are actually starting the mtc within the next few months. We did some yard work for another family and that was super fun, I loved being with that family. No pictures from this week