So on Wednesday, my district went to the Referral Center to take some chats. So, my first and only chat that day was rather difficult. Jesse C. She started off by saying, "So, tell me one thing that will make me believe in God or religion." From our discussion, I learned that she came from a religious family, but she was quite anti-religious. She said that she had tried to pray when she was younger and never received an answer. The chat lasted for probably 45 minutes or an hour. It seemed like all she wanted was an argument. I kept telling her that nothing I would say would prove God's existence, because religion is about faith. I think she was trying to make me mad, because she would write things like, "Oh, so when you pray, you get an answer? God talks to you? Sends an email? Writes a message in the clouds?" She then tried to bring up the big bang argument "Here's where Science is on my side. The big bang created the world, not God." Part of me wanted to retort, saying something like, "Well, even scientists are starting to admit that some greater force had to have activated the big bang." But, i didn't. This isn't about argument. It's about letting go of your concerns and asking in faith. I challenged her to pray again. "Okay, Paul. I'll try one more lousy time to pray, and hopefully God will give you an answer and tell you that it didn't work." Please pray for her. I wasn't really mad, I was more sad for her, sad that her heart was so hard that she wouldn't even try to hope or exercise any faith. Please, pray hard for her that she will have a softened heart and recognize the gentle voice that will answer. The spirit speaks so softly sometimes, that if you are so set in your ways, you won't hear an answer.
Oh, and then on Saturday, I called this woman named Shel S. to ask about her ordering a copy of "Finding Faith in Christ". She hadn't received it yet, so I re-sent the item, but then talked to her a bit about Christ, and shared from the Book of Mormon. She seemed very interested until I told her that we couldn't mail her the copy because she already ordered the DVD - she would have to receive it along with a visit from the Missionaries. She kindly declined, and said not at this time. Please pray for her too. I'm going to call back this week and tell her about the online lds.org scripture library, so she can at least start to read it.
I called Amy D. back, but again, she was busy, but seemed very kind and said I could try back later. I just have to find the right time! This is so exciting!
So at the Temple this morning, just as we were walking downstairs, I ran into Robert Bennett from LDC. That was so awesome! It seems like I run into someone I know almost every time we leave the MTC!
Oh, by the way Mom, please tell Laurie and Brianna thank you and much gratitude from myself and Elder De Menezes. And please tell everyone about http://www.dearelder.com because they can write an e-mail to me and it gets printed out and delivered to my mailbox here. You have to open an account, but it's free to the Provo MTC. You have to tell them the following: MTC Mailbox #82, mission code: JPN-HIR and date I'm leaving : Mar16.
Well, I'm off to the devotional. Love you!
Changing to the Japan Fukuoka Mission
In February of 2010, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints published this statement to let its members know of changes happening in the Mission Field. Paul's mission, the Japan Hiroshima Mission, was one of the missions affected by this change. This is another article about the change to his mission. As of the first of July 2010, he is a part of the Japan Fukuoka Mission.
*As a side note, I stumbled upon Paul's new Mission President's blog where they have pictures of their missionaries. I don't know if there are any pictures of Paul, but I thought it was neat to see his mission from a different perspective!
*As a side note, I stumbled upon Paul's new Mission President's blog where they have pictures of their missionaries. I don't know if there are any pictures of Paul, but I thought it was neat to see his mission from a different perspective!
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"Lord of the Rings" Relates to Missionary Work
J.R.R. Tolkien, in The Fellowship of the Rings, wrote this:"The road must be trod, but it will be very
hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will
carry us far upon it. This quest may be
attempted by the weak with as much hope as
the strong. Yet it is oft the course of deeds
that move the wheels of the world: Small hands
do them because they must, while the eyes of
the great are elsewhere."
Alma 37:6 -- "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness
in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple
things are great things brought to pass; and small means
in many instances doth confound the wise."
By small and simple efforts, the young missionaries of the
church really can "confound the wise" and help the kingdom
roll forth!
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