The
work here is super different from my past areas because here not
everyone knows who we are. In Valley City, everyone knew (or thought
they knew) who the Mormons were, and on the reservation, pretty much
everyone is or has a family member you is a member of the church, so
they all love and respect the Church. When Elder Samplina (did I tell
you about him? The Elder that got hit by a car the day before we
arrived in Poplar?) got hit, everyone in town knew withing minutes (they
all have police scanners in their house so they all know everything
that is happening around town) that he had been hit and they were
furious! The guy who hit him was despised by many after that. The
gangs out there make sure that no one messes with "The Jesus Crew"
haha! But, out here, we're just a bunch of young adults wearing name
tags and suits walking around talking to people. Most of them are very
nice to us too, so that's good!
This week was
one adventure after another! We cleaned out a guys chicken coup (he has
about 25 chickens, and he hasn't been home for 3 months, so you can
imagine how much there was. There was in the worst places about 6
inches of nasty, and in the not so bad places only about 1, maybe 2.
But since it was below freezing, it all came up in chunks, which was
nice.
I had 2 exchanges this week! The first
was with Elder Griffith on the other side of Bismarck. He is a funny
guy! We had a blast, and for the first time in a long time, I went
tracting (for those of you who don't know what that is, tracting is
knocking doors). Almost no one answered the door, but we got a good
laugh out of one guy (Meaning we laughed really hard, not him.... he
wasn't too thrilled). While we are at the door, I've got the window in
plain sight but can't see in, so I am doing everything I can to not make
it look like I'm looking in, cause that's just rude. But, I couldn't
help but look when the blinds, which were completely open, closed
suddenly. then, soon after they closed, they re-opened. Then closed
again. So, we chuckle to ourselves, wondering what this guy is
thinking, then we knock again, since he just tactfully gave away his
position. A little later, he comes to the door with a pack of
cigarettes and a lighter, steps outside with us, and we asked him how he
was doing. He doesn't say a word, but proceeded to remove a cigarette
from the pack and light it. Once he had fumbled for a bit trying to get
it out and lit, I thought he was going to blow it in my face, but he
didn't. He just said "You've got 3 seconds to get off my porch." We
graciously complied, and told him to have a great day! Honestly, he
seemed like a nice guy. The reason I say that is because he plays a
really terrible mean one.
The second was with
Elder Gates, who, if Benedict Cumberbatch were a Tim Burton character,
he would look just like him. I went to Dickinson (we crossed the time
change, so I was all out of wack haha) and we taught some awesome people
there!
This week I learned a very valuable
lesson and I want you all to take it and burn it into your memories,
never to be removed. First, The Atonement is real, and it is for all.
Not just some, not just most, it is for all. Jesus Christ didn't suffer
for those that He decided He wanted to save. It was for every single
person who ever has been and ever will be on this earth. That means
that no matter what you have done, if you truly ask for forgiveness and
forsake your sins, you will find peace that can't be found in any other
way. Second thing you must understand is that there is an adversary. He
wants you to be miserable like he is. He will do anything he can to
make you be miserable. He knows what to do to get you to go the way he
wants you to because he has been doing this for countless years and he
has it down to a science. One of his tools is to convince you that the
Atonement is not for you, that it won't help you, or that it didn't
exist. Never believe this lie of all lies. If you feel there is
nothing that can help you through a trial, turn to the One who knows all
things! He didn't feel everything you felt so that He could say "Quit
wining! It's not that bad! I felt it too, you know!" He did it so
that He can comfort you perfectly to your needs. What a great gift.
Remember that. Utilize that. The only way to true and lasting
happiness is through Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, your Brother and
friend. I wish I could just tell you all the things going on in my
head, but I can't, so I hope this made sense.
I love you all dearly!
Elder Carter
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