Well, this was an awesome week, we had some really cool lessons and met some great people. I told a little bit last week about LaPlace again, it was nasty, but great to help people that needed it so much. We stayed the night in New Orleans again, and played basketball on p-day. This one tall elder was just messing around, and went in and dunked, and the rim came down and shattered the whole glass backboard. It was crazy, but pretty cool. I think he felt bad. That night, we had a dinner appointment with and awesome family in the ward. Dinner was great, but we realized they may have been buttering us up- they asked us to help them move some things from their storage unit to their house. Turns out "a few things" was alot of heavy furniture and 4 hours of it.
This week, I went on an exchange with the english Elders. So in the same area and neighborhoods and stuff, but teaching different people. One type of person I've rarely ever found, let alone taught, among the Hispanic culture is someone with agnostic beliefs about God. Its pretty engrained among hispanics to believe in God and to thank him for everything and always say his name. So much engrained, that it really switches from actual faith into almost a superstition. But thats another topic for another time. We taught this young couple with a 1 year old kid, they were really great people, but just couldnt connect the dots. He had a little more belief in God than she did, but just everything she was saying was totally highlighting gospel principles and the hand of God in her life, but just stuck to her guns with "Well, if there is a God, then after this life if you did good, you'll be rewarded accordingly". We talked about the commandments, and she said almost exactly that the 10 commandments were more like "10 creative suggestions". She talked about the wonderful feeling of love and peace she had when her baby was born, but passed it off as "feelings". She said sometimes she feels strengthened to do things she normally couldnt by herself or had an impression to help someone, but passed it off as just ideas. We truly testified of God and his power and influence in our lives, but she had a tough time bringing it together. It was just totally different.
On the same exchange, we had a chance to eat dinner with an authentic cajun family who, if my temporary companion hadn't told me, I would've thought were members. After a few colorful jokes from the parents, I would've guessed otherwise, but the reason I say that at first is because they had five totally nice, well behaved kids, and they fed us some really good homemade pulled pork sandwiches, and were so excited to have the elders over. We said a prayer, and then the Mom started serving up plates, and passed one to me, then my companion, then the rest of the family. Having been well taught by a loving mother, I knew you're not supposed to start eating your food until everyone has their food and is eating together. But, I guess my companion lacked such refinement and dove right in, and after his first bite got absolutely REAMED by the woman of the house for not waiting. He bashfully apologized, said he knew, it just looked to good! Afterwards, we sat down and had a lesson with them about the plan of salvation. That really is a great lesson to teach a family, they had just tons of questions, they were really smart kids. Other cool fact: they had a pet squirrel! No joke! in a little cage with food and everything.
We taught another lady on the exchange who was trying really hard to give up coffee. I asked if we could have her coffee maker. She said yes. So now we have a coffee maker, and one investigator closer to living the word of wisdom. Exito!
Here was one of the coolest things of the whole week: We were on the Radio! No joke! one of our investigators has a friend who is a radio DJ and wanted us to come and tell about some of the services we can offer to the Spanish community. They had a little studio, which I was of course excited to be in, I've been missing the microphones and sound board and everything I left back home. It was a pretty small but still cool room, just a desk with a soundboard and computer, with her mic on one side and 3 on the other side for us and the interviewer, and it was a really cool, spiritual experience. We told them about our english class, doing translation, and our Sunday church services. They asked us to share about how people can find spiritual guidance in their lives. They asked us some questions about missionary work, and they were shocked when we told them that sometimes people slam the door and dont want to listen to us. They asked us why we came out on a mission, how we know the Church is true, and what keeps us motivated to keep working. I shared a scripture over the radio, and it was a really cool experience. then afterwards she said, "well, this week was little improvised, but next week we'll plan out a little more. I want you guys to talk more about families." Sweet! we can do that, and we're going back next week! Apparently you can listen online, so I'll let you know when our next thing is so y'all can listen in!
Other news, we have a baptism this weekend! His name is Antonio, he is really prepared, and is really excited to be baptized. More on him and his baptism next week.
Love y'all!
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