Well, I'm still here in Portland. President McAteer called on Wednesday saying that he had just gotten word that I'll be returning to Cuernavaca at the end of this transfer, which will be April 2nd. It was a bummer to hear that because I was looking forward to heading back to Mexico, but the Lord must be keeping me here in Portland another transfer for a reason. Still a great week to be a missionary.
On p-day, Elder Valentine and I made another pie for an investigator, less-active, part-member family, the Garlicks, with more of the ingredients that Elder Valentine received from his family in his Thanksgiving package. It was a Carmel apple pie. Kind of something some sister missionaries would do, but hey, it was really good and effective for our investigator. She shared us each a slice later in the week.
Thursday, we had a zone conference in Gresham with Elder Carl B. Cook of the quorum of the 70. It was uplifting and powerful. The whole time, I just kept thinking about how spiritually edifying a mission is and how much I don't want it to end. I want to continue deepening my conversion after my mission. And the only way to do that is to keep setting goals, making plans, and working towards them immediately.
Sunday was awesome because 3 investigators came to church! Juston, Doug, and Larry. Doug, 36, was a street contact that Elder Valentine had with his last companion, Elder Harris. They gave him a Book of Mormon and a piece of paper with their phone number on it. After 2 months, Doug finally reached out to us and told us about his struggle of going through a divorce, being seperated from his kids, and now being homeless. He said he wants to pick himself back up and was hoping the Church would be able to help with that. We said absolutely. And although hearing that can make you question as a missionary if a person is really coming to you for the right reasons or if they just want a handout, Elder Valentine and I could tell that Doug was sincere and motivated to bring a positive change in his life with the Church's help. He also seemed interested in learning more, so we set up an appointment for him to meet with Bishop King on Sunday. Bishop King helped buy a plane ticket for Doug to go to Oklahoma and get in touch with more family that will hopefully be able to help him out. Elder Valentine and I are also helping him get in contact with the local missionaries to continue teaching him the Gospel and help him reach his goals. I don't know if Doug will convert to the Church or not, but seeing his face after he left the bishop' s office with a check to buy his plane ticket to where he so desperately wanted to go made it worth it.
Larry is a man in his 70s who has been investigating the church through his old high-school best friend, who lives in another ward. He loves it and even said he wants to get baptized which made it such a miracle when his friend brought him to our ward for the first time on Sunday. All Larry needs is to receive the missionary discussions! We have an appointment scheduled with him and his friend next Sunday after they come to Church. What a blessing!
I've been learning so much lately about humility and not only genuinely listening to others , but really hearing what they have to say and pondering about how I can help them. I'm also grateful for what I've been learning regarding the Church's welfare program because I'll tell you what. There's a whole lot more people like Doug out there.
Anyway, have a good week! Love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Tucker
Pics-
1, zone breakfast on Friday to kick off the new transfer
2, we had a car for a couple days and it was snowy
3, the Carmel apple pie
Piefection! I’m impressed! So cool to hear about your investigators!
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