I wanted to share two quick and contrasting experiences from Abe's recent letters. While he glossed over the moment of being asked to leave, things like that have to be awkward and uncomfortable encounters. And it makes me sad to think of anyone being unkind to my boy who is just out trying to do good. On the other hand, it makes me happy that he was able to so quickly have The Spirit help him know how to view the whole business in a positive manner.
And the second experience? I just love so much the people who, interested in their message or not, are kind and acknowledge the goodness of kids away from home trying to serve God. I love whoever that young guy in the car was.
Story 1:
... shortly after those contacts, we were approached by someone that worked there and promptly asked to leave and not come back. That was too bad, but as we drove out, I thought, "How many people have been cast out for Christ's sake? We just got thrown out for preaching the gospel! Made me think of this scripture about the ancient apostles:
Acts 5:
41 ¶ And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Here we are, ceasing not to preach Jesus Christ. Life is pretty good.
We were visiting an apartment complex to help someone move and were able to jump through the swinging gates just as they closed (almost as cool as a spy movie). We then heard a shout, "Hey! Are you representing your religion?" We looked around but could not see anybody through the fence and bushes on the outside of the gates. The cry was repeated again. Thinking it was an angry security guard, we replied, "Uhh, we are just helping someone move right now!" The other voice started to respond, and we finally peered through a gap in the bushes and saw that it was a guy just a little older than us yelling from his car. We said, "But, yes, we are missionaries and represent our church as well!" He said, "Hey, keep doing what you are doing! The world needs more people doing what you do! Lots of respect. If it gets hard or people reject you just [as he makes prayer hands] keep going!"
And, to end, a bonus humorous story:
[W]e ... got a call about someone in our area that needed help moving. ... [W]e ran on over in our suits and just shed the jackets. Things went pretty well until there was a really big box. Elder Stewart got on one end and I on the other, and I executed a wonderful example of lifting with your legs and not your back. Unfortunately, the stiff, non-stretch suit material was not quite as large a fan of deep squats and the stitching ripped open all the way up. After a shame-faced, backwards retreat, we were able to go and switch into some more flexible pants and finish the move.
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