Week 104

 This last week we were privileged to go with our roommates to the Mission Office, for what will probably be my last time there. I felt like a tourist because I took a whole bunch of pictures. 

The office secretary wasn't there and so Sister Lichlyter allowed me to fill in as the secretary while we were there (which was quite a while since we were stuck waiting for some other missionaries to turn in their car and then our roommate's TIWI driving system stopped working). I learned how to check in packages, use the label maker, restock the shelves, and order missionary tags. I was THIS CLOSE to ordering myself some American Sign Language tags, since of course I used to be ASL-assigned. But I decided that I probably shouldn't immediately begin to abuse my delegated powers so I managed to forbear.

I got to sit at the desk when the Fire Marshall came in asking if he could talk to someone about beginning his inspection. You should have heard how official I sounded as I told him I would have to ask my "supervisors" and he nodded respectfully. I had no idea what else to do but I doubt anyone has ever managed to sound more official about not knowing how to do their job. 

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We were invited over to visit by some elderly members. They live in a gated community so they had to register the visit with the security guard. When we came in we had to talk to the guard over the intercom which was an enjoyable experience while sitting on my bicycle. 

After the visit we couldn't get our bikes to trigger the automatic gate to open, so we went over to what we thought was the main office to ask someone to help us out. Turns out it was actually the community center and something like 40-50 old people were gathered together eating and talking. There were "Happy Birthday!" banners up. When we stepped in to the building, white shirts, ties, bike helmets and all, you would have thought that there was a record scratching and music stop like in the movies. People's jaws actually physically dropped, people were gaping at us and looking at each other in shock with their eyes bulging.They could not believe that somehow we had foiled all their security measures. An old lady stage whispered "is that..." like we were the Bogeyman. Many people started glaring at us, daring us to begin trying to proselytize to them. 

I have to tell you, the temptation in that moment to whip out my Book of Mormon and start screaming at the top of my lungs "REPENT! REPENT!" was almost overwhelming. 

Luckily, a man came over and asked if he could help us "gentleman." We explained the situation and the people immediately around us relaxed a little bit. Somebody volunteered to help us out so we had him as a golf-cart escort as we biked back over to the gate. He couldn't figure out how to trigger the gate either so we thought we were going to need somebody to come back with a car, but as he turned his cart around to leave the gate opened. We bid him a hasty goodbye and then sped through to freedom. 

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More seriously, we have been very richly blessed in this area with people to teach. We have a baptism this week for our friend Ember, she's 11 and her family is returning to activity. She's super bright and is reading the Book of Mormon and praying on her own, can't wait to be baptized. 

We started teaching 2 sisters, Macy and Kyley, who have been coming to church with a member family (the Hewards) for a year. Kyley who's in high school has been going to seminary during that time as well. Everyone in the ward assumed they were the Heward's daughters, but when we went over to the Heward's for dinner they told us the situation and that Macy and Kyley want to be baptized.

We've had some very spiritual visits with them, they already know a lot about the gospel. When asked why they want to be baptized they said "we want to deepen our relationship with God by making covenants." I was honestly speechless. They are devouring the Book of Mormon, when they were over in Mesa for the Jesus the Christ pageant they bought 2 journal editions for themselves to mark up and highlight. Their notes honestly look much nicer than mine in my own Book of Mormon.

Yesterday a family (the Zieglers) came to church for the first time, the mom is a member but hasn't attended both hours of church for 25 years. Her two youngest sons are 14 and 17 and we visited Priest's Quorum (the boys know many of the priests from school) and got to visit with him and his brother after. Both of them were blessed as babies but never baptized. 

The younger son Eathen said he's been reading the "Mormon Bible" and he looked up the closest "Mormon Church" to him and went. He intends to come every Sunday from now on. Their mom was a star in Relief Society and super happy to be there, actively participating in the class. They want to meet with us so the boys can be baptized and officially become members of the Church. 

My friend Daniel Monson came to church this week, he's been returning to activity. We were the first missionaries to be in his home since he was baptized in high school. the first time he came back it was Fast and Testimony meeting and he went up and bore his testimony. "Nineteen eighty-eight," he said, "that's the last time I was in this church." He wasn't able to come last week because of some terrible circumstances, and the bishopric visited him and our ward mission leader, Elders quorum president, and others all reached out a lot to help him feel loved. I'm grateful to be in such a loving, proactive ward. 

Our mission is exploding with the number of media referrals we are getting. Salt Lake City pays for ads on Facebook and Instagram for things like meeting with missionaries, studying scriptures, or coming to church. Because we've been pretty good about reaching out quickly when we get them, our mission president successfully petitioned them to send a lot more our way. At the beginning of the year we were getting about 200 a week as a mission, 2 weeks ago we got 640 and it's expected to keep increasing. I've taught and baptized someone from a media referral before and increasing number of missionaries can say the same. 

My companion and I have been guided to people who were formerly taught, media referrals, and others who needed a prayer or a message when we needed them. I'm finding a lot of fulfillment in my mission right now and I feel increased confidence that Heavenly Father is pleased with us and is trusting us with the privilege and responsibility of helping these people.

Actually I'm pretty annoyed that we are getting all these amazing referrals, seeing the work hastening before our eyes, right as I'm about to leave. But it is great to be a missionary right now and I'm optimistic for the future of the Arizona Phoenix Mission and of this area. 

Yours Faithfully,

Elder C. Calder

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Found a nice hat in the Church's materials center. Perhaps archeology might be in my future after all. 

Ordering an ASL tag. Elder Tenney would be so proud of me...

Found this on the way back from the ward Easter picnic. I think it might be a sign.

Me about to investigate the attic. If you don't think my headgear is flattering then you can keep your opinion to yourself. 

Elder Calder, office receptionist extraordinaire.

Zone Activity Be Real. I got to be on the cool side with Elders Rolfe and Miranda. I guess since I'm a certified office elder I have earned my place with the other service missionaries. 

My picture is up with the other missionaries who are returning home this transfer. It's strange to see but it still doesn't feel real to me yet. 

Elder Calder solo bikes the forbidding Sonoran desert. Stay tuned.