To start off with last I was in a leadership meeting with the Zone Leaders and so Elder Damon went out with another missionary to a lesson we had planned. Well after the meeting was over and they came back, Elder Damon was talking about this new guy they had met and how interested he is in learning more. So I few days go by and then we go back to teach him. We pull up to the house and I ask him if he is sure this is it, because I have been here twice before and both times a woman answered the door and she wasn't interested and to stop coming by. He says he is sure, so we go up and knock. They nicest guy in the world invites us in and starts talking to us. I was so surprised. When we go to sit down on the couch we meet his wife. Who happens to be the same woman from before that told me she wasn't interested and to stop coming back. I was expecting her to leave or say something rude but she was just as friendly as he was. I was so confused the whole time. We teach them about the restoration of the Gospel and they are so interested. They committed to reading and praying to ask if the Book of Mormon is true. Before we finish they ask us if we can come by next week for dinner so we can share more with them. I was in amazement the whole lesson. I don't know what the change was but those people were completely different from the people I met the other two times I went by. Later that night they posted on my facebook and thanked us for coming by and said how good it was to meet with Elder Damon and I. That was such an amazing night. The lord is truly preparing people to hear his gospel.
So the part member family we have been teaching, the Padilla's were able to make it to church again this Sunday! It was so awesome to see them all there! They were also able to bring Kim's (the wife) little sister. She has gone through a lot of stuff in her life and I know how much the gospel could help her and bring her happiness. We are excited to start teaching her as well.
So yesterday Elder Damon said something that really hit me. We were out street contacting people and we met a less active who is not interested in coming back and doesn't any desire to be apart of the church or the gospel. We meet a lot of less actives who are in the same situation. In a little bit of frustration I said "why doesn't she get it?" The gospel brings so much joy in this life and for eternity. It is the only way to live with our families and our Heavenly Father forever. Why would someone turn this down?? Right after I said that Elder Damon said to me "how long did it take you to get it?" As soon as I heard him say that I realized indeed how long it took me to "get it". In my arrogance I had acted as if I had always lived the gospel and always had a testimony of it. I acted as if the truths were self evident and any one could figure it out and grow a testimony in a day. But I haven't walked in her shoes. I didn't have a testimony. I didn't live the gospel. I didn't plan on serving a mission. All that only happened just a year and a half ago. That situation helped me to truly realize why I am out here on a mission. Not to criticize others for not living the gospel, not having a testimony, or not "getting it". But to bring this joy to them, to help them taste of the fruit of the tree of life that is most desirable above all other fruit. There is no greater joy in life than using the atonement of Jesus Christ. I am here to help others "get it" I love this gospel. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I know they live.
-Elder Hallmark
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We all bought Hawaiian shirts at the thrift store for halloween. Elder Damon forgot to bring his normal shoes to P-day so that's why he is in dress shoes and cargo shorts lol.
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