Another week in the 'Burg

Well this week was a tough/great one. It was a really humbling week. I learned a lot. 

I also got fed Cracker Barrel thanks to the Hunsakers!! So I want to give a shout to them because they're so loving as to drive 2 hours just to take me to Cracker Barrel! 

 Susan, Abby, Elder Jacobson and Darin Hunsaker

So this week was pretty tough because a lot of things that I would not like to happen, happened. We got dropped by like 5 different people. It really sucked because Julio dropped us. A member was supposed to give Julio a ride to conference but it didn't happen. So we go over Wednesday night and he just starts calling us liars and cussing. His friends are just laughing and saying we lied to him too. He said he's just going to go to the Pentecostal church by his house now. It sucked. I've never felt so mad at my self and so slothful. 

So other than that absolutely heart breaking/depressing episode we've just been performing triage. Trying to focus on who has the most potential, then others, down to potentials. But we've also been doing a lot of member splits as well. So we've been kind of putting in a lot of work with lessons and trying to get the results of it. We've found so many golden people this week. There are so many ready for this gospel. Unfortunately they're all English speaking haha so we have to refer them over. So we've taught a lot of really great lessons these last few days.

Here's the funny story of the week. We were at this apartment complex and we look over and there's a BUNCH of Latinos all filing into this basement door of another building. So we go over there and as soon as we get right by the door we just hear, from a microphone "PODER A DIOS! GLORIA A DIOS!" So we knock the door and they all let us in and shake our hands and tell us to sit down. So it starts going and this guy just gets on his knees and starts chanting through the microphone a prayer or something and he's screaming at the top of his lungs. Then all of a sudden everyone starts yelling their prayers too. Then in Spanish he yells "WHO WANTS THE SPIRIT!?" Then he like does a pushing motion and says "TAKE IT!" and everyone starts shaking on the ground and screaming. It was the weirdest/creepiest thing I've ever seen. They start all chanting at once "SOLO LEE LA BIBLIA!" Over and over. After that they all take turns screaming every psalm of David from the book of psalms. By this point the spirit bolted out of there, I've got a raging headache, then they ask US to share a scripture haha. So I shared Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," then they all started yelling hallelujah and amen and closing their eyes and yelling and shaking their arms hahha which didn't make sense- why they would agree with it then do that. Then we sat down again and asked how much longer there was, and they said 2 hours. So we left. But man I've never felt the so out of place, and weirded out in my life. Honestly I felt sad. I felt sad that these people are so far off with what church should be, how the spirit really feels and works. Something I would have never felt before my mission, as to think these are my brothers and sisters that are astray. 

Over all though I learned how much my Father loves me this week. Because honestly, I was not feeling worthy at all to be here and be his servant. I asked for forgiveness and peace again. So I didn't think it was by coincidence that I thought to read D&C 121-23 and Ether 12. I've never felt the power of scripture hit me so hard as to reading those scriptures. To feel the love and comfort that my Father has for me. For all of us who suffer, or have trials, no matter good or bad, he loves us beyond comprehension. I also finished the Book of Mormon again. I love this book. The answer is always the same. It is true. This church is true, we have the fullness of the everlasting gospel here on earth. 

The scriptures that have hit me like a sledgehammer are 

D&C 122:9  Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

D&C 123:17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

And Moroni 7:31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.

I know why I'm here. I know the promises that are promised to us are real, as long as we just simply follow Christ. These scriptures give evidence of it. I can testify and tell you these things are true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 Favorite tie still..

Elder Jacobson, Houston, and Slivers

Thank you Darin and Susan!!