week 2 in North Carolina

Another great week out here in the Dirty D. Durham is a lot of fun and the people here are really fun to talk to, because you never know what there going to say. People have some interesting views on God. Anyways this week has been a lot of fun. The lady we have been teaching with the newborn twin boys, Kristen, is awesome! We met her last Sunday, taught her Sunday, taught her Monday, taught her Tuesday, and she came to church yesterday and we taught her again!!! Her family is pretty against the church and threw her Book of Mormon away, but she doesn't care, she still keeps meeting with us. Hopefully she keeps going in the right direction.

We did A Ton of service this week! We mowed a bunch of lawns, raked leaves, dug a 30 foot long ditch, layed a ton of pinestraw, relayed gravel on an Elderly lady's driveway and the list goes on. We hit just under 20 hours of service this week which is insane, but it was a lot of fun.

The members out here are so cool. We have been fed dinner every single night since I've been here. Elder Cook said that him and his last companion barely got fed. I'm guessing it's because I'm the best looking missionary in the mission and people just want to get to know me. Hahah I'm just kidding the people out here are just really cool. We played basketball with the Elders quorum on Saturday which was fun. I feel like me and Elder Cook were the only ones actually going hard, and of course they had us guarding each other. The gym here has a carpet floor. Let's just say after that basketball game me and Elder Cook have quite a few carpet burns.

Teaching is becoming much easier. People here are super easy to talk to, well most of them. We've had some people tell us to get out of here but for the most part people are pretty cool. Elder Cook was wearing a team Jesus shirt while we were mowing a lawn, and an old guy driving by slammed on his brakes and skidded to a stop. He rolled down the window and he yells, "Hallelujah Team Jesus, God Bless you" It was pretty funny.

When we were going to dig a ditch at the Smith's, we were riding our bikes and we turned the corner and almost hit a vulture. The thing was massive!! Everday as a missionary something crazy happens but it keeps things interesting.

Me and Elder Cook have been having a blast. I dont remember a time I've laughed so hard in my life. We literally end up in tears every night from laughing so hard. Elder Cook is a great trainer and we've been working hard.

There's a guy named Frank who got baptized last year and he hasn't been to church in 8 months. With the help of a member, Brother Cummings, we convinced him to come to church this week!! Hes a great guy, hes just really shy, but he had a great time at church. We're going to continue reading scriptures with him every week.

There is another guy in the ward who got baptized a couple years back, and he has a bad addiction to smoking and drinking. We went to teach him the other night, and he asked us to drive him to the grocery store to get some chicken. He told us to stay in the car and he'd be right back. Turns out he bought cigarettes. Me and Elder Cook were straight up pissed. We didn't say a single word on the way back to his house and when we got there we sat him down and layed down the law. He was lying to us saying that he just got chicken. We said, "is that all you got?" He said, "yeah" so we said," what about those cigarettes?" Then he admitted to buying them. Elder Cook explained our disappointment on how he used us. Then we started him on the addiction recovery program. He's a great guy he just has a bad addiction. We are going to continue to work with him.

Me and Elder Cook fell into a little trap the other day. I had my first experience with bible bashing with a guy named Charles. Luckily Elder Cook stopped me before it got to heated. But I learned that bible bashing is a waste of time, and it will lead to nothing.

In John 13 : 34 - 35 it says...

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The savior loved everyone. He is the perfect example of love. He taught only with love. I realized that arguing about religion will lead to absolutely nowhere and the Lord wants us to Love one another.

Overall it's been another great week of learning and growing and striving to be a better missionary. Being a Missionary is the best, I truly love the people out here, they are amazing. Remember to Love God, and to Love one another. In doing so we will grow closer to the Lord, and we will be blessed.

I love you all! I hope everything is going well back home.

Elder Forrest

Reading the good word