We talked to one guy on the street the other day who was chewing on a bullet and called himself T-Bone. He was friendly and said he might enjoy checking out church. He asked us our names and looked back and forth from one of our tags to the other a couple times, and then seemed to settle on a decision. "I will call you my two crackers. Two holy crackers." And thus it was. Elder Harris here, one half of the two holy crackers.
Tomorrow is transfer day and we anxiously await the news to know if we stay or go! They were supposed to call us last night, but we still haven't heard anything. I am happy with whatever happens, I just don't like the wait to know! We shall see.
Dad, you will probably be thrilled to know that Elder Parker and I have both decided that every knuckle crack shall be paid for with 10 military pushups. We both have a little sticky note on our desk labeled 'Knuckle Punishment' where we put our tallies. Certainly makes you remember and give a little groan every time a knuckle crack sneaks out.
The other night we had some phone calls to make, but we were tired of being in the house. Instead, we jumped over our little porch railing and brought our folding chairs out into the corner of the apartment parking lot. The sun had gone down, so it felt pretty cool. We would make our calls and wave at the cars as they pulled in. Probably looked a little strange to have us there in our folding chairs, but it was fun. Anyways, as we went down our list, we decided off a whim to give a try calling a man that we spoke with once on the phone, but we had gone to his house several times, and he never was there for our appointments. When we called though, he answered! He picked up, and we talked a little. He then told us how he had been feeling pretty down and depressed. He had had some problems with work and seemed to be feeling pretty lonely and friendless. He said that right then was when we called, and he saw it as a sign that God really knew him and was looking out for him.
It so often blows me away how oftentimes when we are just trying to be good, God guides us to impact people in very specific ways. It reminds me of a little story from the MTC. My whole 6 weeks in the MTC we waited and waited every devotional to have an apostle come. We all thought it would have been so cool, but it never did happen. Then, 4 days after I left, David A. Bednar himself came to the MTC. I was sad to miss it, but I heard that one thing he said was to be less worried about receiving giant spiritual promptings. He said instead, to just be "good boys and girls." If we are just sincerely trying to be good, to help, and serve, God will direct us and will not let us go astray. That openness is what He needs to answer others' prayers and take us where we need to be. And we don't even realize it all the time!
Yesterday was a great day of service. We started off the morning helping package and organize food at a food pantry. It was a lot of fun. It feels really strange, now, though, to wear jeans anywhere. While we were there, we got a call from some other missionaries about someone that moved from their area to ours, and needed help moving in! We bustled on over. We carried all their stuff into their apartment, which included a couch, several chairs and dressers, and mattresses and things. We had to take everything up in an elevator, and there were some elderly folks sitting in the public room nearby. It was really funny as they would chat amongst themselves about the things we brought in. When we had a mattress, they were like, "It's too big! It'll never fit. Much too long." We did just fine, but it was funny. Moving furniture is some of my favorite service. Makes me want to start a moving company.
When I went on exchanges with some other Elders, they had three bikes between the four of them. And they had one working brake between all 6. I whipped out some tools and they are at least now at about 50% braking capacity. It is fun to be able to know how to adjust brakes and stuff. All these crazy missionaries though go and buy their bikes at Walmart, because they are really cheap. But Walmart also only sells kids bikes! They are so small. I was pedaling on one and my knees hit my wrists. And then they break down and nobody likes biking. Very very grateful to Pres. Carver for helping me get a phenomenal bike. Those other missionaries are always so jealous.
Anyway, we keep on keeping on! See you all later.
Elder Harris
Pictures include our parking lot call session and my awesome canteen tie from the family! They are the best.
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