Well, this week was ok I guess. Not a
lot to mention. Thanks for letting me know about the postage thing.
I'll be sure to send mail from the Post Office. We have been getting
home kinda late this week so we don't have a lot of time to sit and
talk before going to bed. The time between planning and sleeping, is
the time I spend to clean the apartment. It's a mess. The blinds were
likely cleaned for the first time in 10 years. I had to use that
spray-can cleaner thing you use to clean the inside of an oven in
order to get the "dust" off. I don't think it was really
dust. They were dirty. I still have a lot of cleaning to do. Elder
Henrie is funny. While I clean he'll just stand behind me and watch
and say things like "Wow Elder Peck, you're really good."
or "Elder Peck! Look at you go!" It took me over an hour to
do the dishes. Yeah. So I'm learning to clean!
I went to the store and bought some new
ties. They are really nice. I'll have to take some pictures and send
some. We got a bunch of old ties from a couple return missionaries.
My collection is growing! There was a watch in the apartment when I
got there - which belonged to Elder Given I think, and it was way too
big for my wrist. One of our investigators works at a jewelry store
and she said that she would re-size it for free! So we did. Now I can
wear it. It's pretty nice. *I need a new white long-sleeve shirt for
going to the temple/baptizing. I guess I can go to the store and find
something.
During this week, the only story that
comes to mind, is what happened to us last night. Elder Erickson was
teaching a lesson with some members while Elder Henrie and I went to
go talk to people. First, we tried Kmart. The manager approached us
and told us that we were breaking the rules. So we left. We went to
our usual place which was just a parking lot. There are a bunch of
little stores so people are always walking in and out. We parked the
car and started walking. We talked to a few people before meeting
this man. He pushed a shopping cart full of random objects including
a baby pit bull quietly sleeping. The man had an mp3 player and head
phones. He was listening to hip hop or something. When he saw us, he
opened his mouth, astonished to see such fine, young, white fellas
walking down the sidewalk. Our initial thought was "Yes! Someone
to talk to!" But as the conversation went on, I grew more and
more uneasy.
The 47-year-old colored man had deep
wrinkles in his cheeks and his fingers were crooked. His hands were
dirty. He wore a baseball cap and his clothes were quite average. He
had a couple friends who would walk by every now and then, giving him
something to drink, and a pack of smokes in exchange for a handful of
coins. He seemed religious enough to keep talking to. He knew the
Bible, and he had heard a little about our church. He walked back and
forth. Towards me, and away from me. Each time getting a little bit
closer. At the time, I didn't realize it. I thought he was just being
weird. But looking back, I can see that this man was conditioning us
to the presence and the closeness of him being there. And eventually,
he would jump us. He was a distraction while his "friends"
slowly gathered (out of sight) and formed a circle around us, and
when we least expected it, they would move in for the kill.
I had a strong feeling that this man
was not talking to us to be spiritually fed. I knew without a doubt,
that he had a weapon in his pocket and that he was going to steal all
of our things. I had a cell phone, GPS, my wallet, my watch, my shoes
and my belt that seemed like a nice addition to their collection of
oddities. The reason we were not attacked last night, (mainly) is
because God was protecting us. We only lasted as long as we did,
because we are missionaries. Another reason, is because two security
guards came up to us, told the bums to get lost, and so they did. The
armed guards talked to us for a while. Telling us that this
particular area is really, really bad. They told us that they won't
even take out the trash at night. After telling us to be careful and
that this is not the place to do missionary work, I asked them if
they were interested in hearing our message. They politely declined.
We quickly walked to our car, being
sure to keep an eye on our 6, and drove back to a better part of
town. I made a rule with myself, to not talk to homeless people. Yes,
they are still sons and daughters of God, but in most cases, they are
not mentally fit to accept and live what the Gospel offers. They'll
have to wait until they get to the Spirit World. Satan is real and He
works in and among us to harm us. Pray always, that you may come off
conqueror yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape
the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work. Anyway,
that's the story for the week.
As far as Thanksgiving dinner goes, we
have had a few offers. The Zone hasn't announced anything, so I guess
we'll just go eat with some members. I remember last Thanksgiving
very well. I went to Tony's house to watch him open his mission call,
then we went to dinner. I heard "Harry Big Nose" say "Smell
my bellybutton" and Charlie can confirm that. I could not stop
laughing. Do you remember me laughing my head off at dinner?? Then I
took a nap on the chair, then I went to work at the Post Office. Fun
day. Those post office days where we actually had dinner together
were funny. I remember having uncontrollable laughing fits. They were
joyfully painful.
Me and my comps aren't really working
out anymore. We just kinda do individual things in the morning. I
tend to try to make something to eat because I've never made that
important meal a habit. Elder Henrie just gets in the shower and then
studies. Elder Erickson either does some sit ups or studies as well.
I think it would be smart to make a goal to exercise more often and
to get rid of my love handles. HAHAHAhaha...
Thanks for everything. I'm looking
forward to getting my shoes. Thanks for sending them. I'll write you
again next week. K bye
Elder Peck RIV
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