This week has been so busy that we've even missed meals, and Elder Han DOES NOT miss a single meal. So busy. I've had some crazy experiences this week; strangely, they all turned out similarly. Alot of people have been coming up and teaching us lessons, and giving us advice on what we should teach, which is a nice way to find people who are interested in religion. But, most were very keen on letting us know that they were all kinda crazy. Had a guy follow us for a few blocks, making sure we were going to tell everyone that Jesus was Black... It was pretty cool to hear his opinion, but when he said we didn't preach the bible, or Jesus Christ, oooo, was I fiery. I rode away with my finger in the air and declared "We will preach the Bible as far as it is translated correctly" #8
"...energy, yoga and fruit veggie smoothies..."
Also met a really interesting lady who we found while we were taking a walk around Laney Community College; She opened her car door and started screaming, Somthing like, "I've been waiting for you" and something about how weed was so great. She also said she wasn't on weed, but I would strongly argue against that. She was a Nirvanist, like energy and yoga and fruit veggie smoothies to soothe the energy balance.... blah blah blah. Anyways, she said she had always thought there was a greater energy, and that it wasn't a person, but lately she'd been thinking that it was really God. So she'd been listening to alot of catholic gospel sermons and tapes, simply on who god is (black gospel style"devil begone!!") and she decides to talk to god.She said the whole day, she'd sensed something *(she wouldn't say feel for some reason...) But she finally couldn't resist the prompting and pulled over. She came to the point where she said that if God were real, that she would commit, and that she would do whatever god wanted her to do. She looked at her phone, and it said 3:33, 33 seconds, and amazed by that simple fact, looked around and saw us two missionaries outside her door. Literally. She listened earnestly, and we ended up talking for an hour and a half, in which she told us all of this, and more about her energy; pretty much she said she would need some time to get used to the idea of the Plan of salvation, and restoration. what really was hard for her to accept was that Christ was the only way to return to God, she said there are tons of philosphers and doctors, gandi and such, that we should follow as well. Like she pretty much demoted Jesus, and we left her with passalongs and told her to go to church.Oh and if she met with us again, no weed.:P Oh, at some point in the conversation, she asked me, specifically if Music was a massive part of my life, to which I said "absolutely". she said "great" and pulled out a tie with sheet music and records, music in general... Aaand she gave me a gospel cd and told me to listen to it, and even told me to go to a meditation session down at berkeley.
It's really nice to be one of only two companionships riding bikes in our zone; it lets me get to know every crook and cranny of Oakland. Yesterday, I got to know it too well.
I was riding my bike, approaching an intersection, and my handlebars simply fell off. I kinda sat there a second in confusion, "I thought this bike was new...", as I flew off. I landed comfortably on my back in front of a guy taking a smoke in his car. Like any friendly guy with full hakka tattoo, he just said whoa, and sat there watching me. Pretty much everyone was surprised, Elder Han picked up my bike and just stared at it in confusion as I just lay on that asphalt stunned, pondering what just happened. Don't be worried, I didn't injure anything, just a little dirt (nothing some bleach can't handle).
I am entirely grateful for this experience and every single one surrounding it; as I sat famished from fast, I thought of the things that I could complain about. And I knew I had that choice and even reason to complain, But I had a peace and a simple understanding as I was fasting and thinking of my Father, that there was one who suffered more than I, that had no complaints. And my peace blossomed with that, enough to work and continue on smiling for the rest of Sunday. My understanding of God and His plan are very small, and my knowledge of the Atonement is even smaller; but I know I can continue in this gospel and work because I have been changed. I find greater meaning in my life as I discover who my Father is, on earth and on heaven, and by doing so, discover who I've yet to be. I know we are all children of our Heavenly Father, and that we really can ask Him as a father to comfort, teach, and guide us to live life as he did.
I love my family and parents, for the wonderful pattern they represent, and the powerful love they've shown for this Life and for their children. I encourage all of us to remember who has prepared everything in hopes that we might have a fullness of joy as he has had, and that we can simply show our gratitude through having and serving our families. I think it's interesting that the only song most people remember after leaving primary, and the first one converts know is one of the simplest.
I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.