This week has been packed. Elder Judkins and I have done a ton of stuff and have met with tons of people. We've been having a lot of laughs together and have met a lot of very interesting people. We got to go to the temple this week and it was AWESOME! The DC temple is absolutely beautiful, and It's also the tallest temple in the world. We got to go with a less active member who finally prepared herself to be worthy of receiving her endowments. After that we got dinner at a diner which was super good. It was awesome being there with other elders too. The same day we went to the temple elder Judkins asked me for a priesthood blessing. It was my first time I believe giving a blessing of comfort. I was kind of nervous, but it was an awesome experience being able to speak with inspiration from the spirit. The spirit was so strong in the room as we prayed and exercised the priesthood gift we have been given. There was an overwhelming spirit of love and peace and comfort. The Holy Ghost is a quiet feeling but an undeniable knowledge that it is the spirit of God, when you feel it, it is quiet and soft, but a feeling you cannot deny. This is what I have learned to feel and recognize as I am on my mission.
We got to go to another ward and elder Judkins gave the priesthood to someone he helped teach. It was so relieving being in a church building that felt somewhat familiar. The church I go to here in Arlington isn't "standard" and has a different layout.
I always forget what I do during the week when I write my emails. I'm excited go take a nap today though. Today should be a good P day. Last week we blew all our money at Costco so we don't have any money for groceries this week. In turn, we don't really need any groceries because we have 6 lbs of chicken and large quantities of everything else too.
We took Kenny out with us to street contact. He isn't a member, but told everyone about the Book of Mormon and how Joseph Smith is a true prophet. We were biking around one day and met this little kid on his bike. He wanted to ride his bike around with us because I could bunny hop my bike super high. He wanted to show me how he could ride with no hands and do a wheelie and stand on his seat while riding. Such a funny kid, we returned him to his grandma after we had to leave the area, he wanted to go knock doors with us too, so he did. He took his bike up to their door and listened to us as we knocked on people's doors sharing our message.
Andrea is super ready for baptism, it's amazing to see a mighty change of heart in her. A month or two ago she never would have considered it, but she is willing to give up everything she has to follow Christ. She is reading the Book of Mormon and is going to church, and when she describes how this church is so much different than the other ones, but she can't describe what makes her feel good she is totally describing the Holy Ghost. We just need to teach her everything so she is ready to be baptized on the 8th of July. She talks a lot so it is a bit of a challenge, but I know we can teach her everything. We are still working on Donna, but there isn't a one size fits all in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all have to form our own relationship with our Savior, and It's so awesome to see that Andrea is able to feel the blessings and saving power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Donna needs to loosen her grip on the Bible so that she can take hold of the Book of Mormon. Once she has a testimony that the Book of Mormon is true, and will bring her closer to Christ than any other book, she will be converted quickly.
We ate dinner at the Kuipo family's house, they are from Cameroon, so it is really cool to see what they eat and have a small taste of their culture. Elder Judkins and I have been eating well, we made a cilantro soup in the crockpot and have pancakes eggs bacon and sausage for breakfast. Sometimes we make waffles instead. I let my companion try the "cookie butter" my parents gave me, and he has told almost every investigator about this amazing discovery. We might go get some more cookie butter today at the store if we can find it.
One of the highlights of the week was something I never thought I would do! Elder Judkins and I went into a mosque during Ramadan and broke fast with them. They prayed for about 15 minutes and then we ate dinner. As they were praying the little kids were running around slapping all of the men's butts in the air because they were bowing. It was hilarious to see these kids run around during prayer. It was a cool experience to see how kind these Muslims are. A few wanted to just tell us how they were the correct religion, but most wanted to share their beliefs and invite us to go read the Holy Quran. We shared with them how our beliefs are very very similar, and how they are also different.
We asked a guy if he could get us a prayer rug and he said he would call us when he got a hold of some prayer rugs for us... so that will be an awesome souvenir to take home and a great memory of when I went to the mosque for Ramadan.
There was a woman who we met who seemed pretty homeless who we met earlier. She said she wanted to come out with us on bikes. We told her she could steal a bike and come along sarcastically. We had kind of a long conversation with her. She asked me if I could prove if I was a male and not a female. It was weird because she slapped her face right on her mouth then asked us which one of us hit her.... She said ouch, which one of you did that? Pretty creepy. Then she was telling people around her to be quiet and go away, but it was just us next to her. She ended up getting on her knees and praying the Lord's prayer out loud very loud in the middle of a busy city. My comp and I just looked around like what the heck. Obviously is either permafried from drug use or very mentally ill. Maybe we will run into her again.
We also met with Sadiq and his family this week. They offered us ice cream sandwiches, and since we were talking about some Pakistan food I asked them a few good questions. I looked at the ice cream like I wasn't sure what it was and asked if this was a Pakistani dessert and what it was called. He looked very confused and concerned and told me that it was from Costco and It's an American dessert. I looked at him with wide eyes and said "really!?"
I asked him which Costco (There is only one) and if it was a good deal. Since he has kind of broken English he said "I am to get them at Costco and get maybe get 30 for 11 or 12 dollars". They are a good family, and their little boy Bariam is super funny and energetic. He was begging me to make him a paper plane, he is 5 years old.
Calvin
