We went out on Monday evening to a forested neighborhood part of
the area and began going out and about. We gave out three copies of the
Book of Mormon that night and then on Wednesday we gave out five copies, and
then on the weekend gave out seven copies, making fifteen copies total.
Given how this is a United States mission it is amazing. Because of it we
shall be cycling around the area a lot following up.
A lot of time was spent walking around talking to whoever was out
and about. Several run down neighborhoods were found and a typical
conversation went like this:
Guy: yo, what ya finna be doing in the streets, boi?
Us: we're going around sharing a message about Jesus Christ.
Guy: Oh, I know Jesus
Us: That's great, have you ever heard of the Book of Mormon
Guy: nope
[Explain the Book of Mormon]
Guy: Freak ya, I'll take it!
The majority of the people seem willing to meet with us. We
did run into a guy who was working on his motorcycle and he let forth a string
of expletives but he seemed nice. A guy told that his name was Damage (I
am not making this up). Its things like this that make the day to day
stuff interesting.
The news on transfers is that I am staying here in Lakeland until
the end. Everyone in our district is staying for the most part.
Elder Bledsoe's foot is doing better and we are able to get outside every day
and see all the beautifulness of Lakeland.
For Thanksgiving we went by Brother Kline's. He and his
friend Dennis cooked a plethora of food and we ate quite opulently. The
tryptophan surprisingly did not kick in at all. Black Friday was
uneventful as we did not go anywhere near stores.
That was how the week went. I hope you all have a great week and have fun,
Love,
Elder Fabricius
Spiritual
thought -
Joseph F.
Smith went through an interesting experience. He was walking and a mob
showed up and pointed a gun at his face and said: "Are you a Mormon?"
Joseph
replied: "Yesiree, dyed in the wool, true blue through and through."
Mobster:
"why you are the pleasantest man I ever met. I'm glad to see a
fellow stick up for his convictions."
Joseph F.
Smith was fifteen or so at this time. He chose to stick up for what he
believed and was blessed accordingly.
Also, soon it will be the
week of Hanukkah, the celebration of rededicating the Temple after the Maccabees defeated the Syrians. During the Feast
of Lights (the Israelites would do feasts often) the miracle of the oil occurred
where a short supply of oil burned for eight days.
Picture - Decorations are popping up around Lakeland:
