June 20, 2011

Hello McBride family,

 

Yeah, last week was pretty discouraging. I was sick with some kind of stomach virus, my new companion and I don't really see eye to eye, many of our promising investigators no longer want to meet with us. We finally got in contact with Dawn, but now she doesn't want anything to do with us. It was not a fun week.

 

This past week was pretty similar. Even more of our investigators said that they don't want to meet with us. Elder Conradt and I are still struggling as a companionship. A few of the members have been giving us the cold shoulder ever since Elder Perkins left the area. Tracting is a nightmare. and to top it all off, I've been sick for a few weeks. some kind of stomach virus.

 

I have a few tracting stories I'm sure you're gonna love.

 

Tuesday, we tracted for at least 4 hours in 90 degree weather. Door after door we were rejected. This one door, a lady comes out and starts yelling at us, calling us "Sons of Satan" "Jesus killers" and "Baby eaters" (and those ones where the nice ones). She then proceeded to throw various objects at us, a few of which were sharp and/or heavy. we got lucky though, Her aim was horrible. But i still got hit. Pretty good goose egg out of that encounter.

 

On wednesday. We tracted into this guy and he let us in. We then told him who we were and why we do what we do. He seemed interested, but you could tell he had just been doing some kind of drugs. He still had a bong on his table... along with a gun sitting next to it. We then made up excuses and got out of there as fast as we could. It was pretty intense.

 

Thursday we didn't do much tracting, but we had a lesson with one of our investigators and she started throwing anti stuff at us. She no longer wants to meet with us.

 

Friday we tracted.... all day. and didn't find a single person who would listen to us. Got called out by a group of latinos. I thought we were going to have to fight them, but they left us alone after they circled us and yelled at us for a few minutes. They were all small so Elder Conradt and I should have been able to handle the situation pretty well if it got out of hand, and thankfully it didn't. yeah. I'm kinda sick of Coatesville.

 

Saturday we had a few appointments and one of them, an investigator no longer wants to meet with us because he said he prayed about the book of Mormon and received and answer that it's not true. We know he didn't pray and we asked if we could come back, but he "politely" declined and threw us out of his apartment.

 

Yeah, this last week was rough.

 

To answer a few of your questions.

 

I have been taking pictures but not as many as i would like. We're not supposed to take pictures as we're out prosolyting so we don't look like tourists. But I'll keep taking pictures. I'll upload a few next week (i forgot to bring my camera). And i'll send the SD card out to you when it's full.

 

I haven't gotten a GPS yet just because i haven't had the chance to go and pick one up.

 

We saw Dawn, but she doesn't want to see us.

 

For the most part i'm healthy. I've lost quite a bit of weight and slimmed down a bit. But most of that is due to lack of eating. I'm not hungry out here. All i eat, when i do eat is a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich and i'm good for the rest of the day.

 

My testimony is still strong. It's weird. I look forward to sundays now. I love church. It's a recharge and i need it. I'm reading the BoM everyday and am now just starting Helaman (this will be the second time reading it since i've been out here.) I feel like my testimony has really grown since being out here.

 

I don't think i need anything. But i would like some more music. Besides that i'm pretty good with what i've got.

 

And i do know that you love me. I love you too.

 

It's really good to hear that every one is enjoying the summer. It's crazy to think that J'Nell will be driving soon. And that Maddie's birthday is this next week. Happy Birthday Maddie! Is she turning 9 or 10?

 

Glad to hear that Dad is enjoying Alaska. That's pretty cool that everyone appreciates you. I wish i could read the blog. Alaska sounds awesome.

 

Thank you so much for the prayers. I need them =).  Well, I love you all and Pray for you daily.

 

Elder McBride.