July 6, 2015

Who would have thought it's possible to get mosquito bites on every inch of your body when you're wearing high socks, pants, and over and under shirts. Oh it's possible. Just come over to the Island ....>:) The Fourth of July came and went as quickly and as ordinary as any day on the mission. Looking back at each holiday, even last Christmas, it's almost as if the holidays hold no meaning. We still proselyte, we still do service, we still knock on doors. The people we meet may be in a completely opposite state of mind, but the Lord's hand is always extended, so I guess ours need to be too.

Our new mission President, President Christiansen, changed our curfew Saturday night to be indoors by 10:30, rather than the usual 9:30, leading Elder Teichert and I to brainstorm an adventure to the furthest tip of the Island's wildlife reservation beach to watch the fireworks over the bay. Hence the Mosquitoes. heh. 

Honestly the Fourth of July was the least exciting day of the week! We picked up five new investigators, four of which told us they weren't interested within the next two days of visiting them. There was a horrible boat accident a week ago where a racing boat's engine cut and flew off into a raft that had a family on it, dramatically injuring them all and ending the life of their 7 year old daughter. The whole community is mourning for the tragic incident, but, since we are cut off from the news 100%, Elder Teichert and I had no idea. While we were knocking doors on a blazing humid day, I had the sudden inclination to knock on a home waaaaaaaaay down the street. Let me tell you, we were so tired and so sweaty that each step shook drops of sweat off like a dripping tree after a downpour. But off we went on the current of the Spirit. Out of all the homes in the entire massive area of Kent Island, we HAPPENED to knock on the door of the family that was hit by the boat. The father was ok, but the mother's in a coma at the hospital still. Their extended family was there and, after a brief discussion on their door step, invited us in to the home. We taught the Plan of Salvation and the Holy Ghost completely, lighting up their eyes with comfort unmistakable. They invited us back over in a few days and promised they'd come to church Sunday.

Two days later they texted us saying they were no longer interested and asked us to never come back.

Now, it's human nature to self reflect in situations like these on what I said wrong, how did I offend them, or what I did horribly wrong. Those thoughts fly in and out on repeat, making us feel like failures when, in reality, it was entirely their decisions and their actions that we have absolutely no say in. God Himself has no power over our own personal agency. It is a gift given to every person who has or ever will live on the earth. What matters is that I did my very best being the most loving, genuine person I could be in the moment shared with them. The amount of decisions and choices we make are innumerable in a single day, let alone in a lifetime. So how stinking silly is it to worry about one single choice made by another person we had the privilege to share our love with? Make the most of your own decisions. Prayerfully and courageously act in the name of God for those who need Him and you cannot be led astray. The ball's lobbed into another court behind a 10,000 foot concrete wall there's no hope of seeing through. All that matters is that I chucked that ball as hard as I possibly could. And accurately.   I hope.   :)

xoxo

Elder Burgess