Sad to hear about Cardon though. I swore he was out of the thick of the health problems. I feel like I dont know that side of the family well enough. And now im not sure how much time ill have to spend with them. I guess thats why we will have an eternity to do that right?
This week has been CRAZY. We had transfers on Tuesday, Elder Shepherd, Elder Cockers last companion, who was fine on Tuesday went in to the ER wednesday and had surgery at 2am. He was sent in for appendicitis but when they opened him up they found out that it wasnt his appendix but his small intestines ruptured. So Elder Cocker has been worried for him all week. Yesterday President Weidman allowed us to go see E. Shepherd in the hospital. Great guy. His mom was there too. Was a great time.
Also happened yesterday, E. Cocker was asked to baptize someone in his old area. Actually it wasnt even in his only area. It was a kid he met while on exchanges last transfer to the Chinese program in Santa Monica. The kid, JunBo, fell in love with him so we got to go to his baptism. It was in the area I served in in Santa Monica in spanish so that was a flash back going through there.
My favorite part of the week though was a lesson with had with a family that the missionaries have been visiting for over 7 years. 7 years of missionaries visiting them and they still didnt understand much about what we do or about the Book of Mormon. I dont blame them, they was obviously something preventing them from learning. But last week we had a lesson with them that was a game changer. We were invited over for a little Cul-de-sac BBQ. Debbie (the Mother) was the one who invited us. It was really nice being in a family setting, although it wasnt my family. He neighbor who is a pastor has been giving her 'advice' on what to do about attending a church and meeting with us 'Mormons' etc. So it was a blessing we got to meet him. Debbie has been really conflicted with the 5000 different sources telling her wha tshe should be doing. My companion is a mad genius I'm telling you. In this short visit he changed the game. the Pastor was questioning us about a ton of stuff trying to trip us up on our words. Things such as why we stick to the 'too formal' shirt and tie uniform, how we come from all over and dont speak the language, we obviously dont fit in the culture and he said that makes him like we are belittling him, he says. My companion, seeing the pastor wasnt looking to openly bash and ruin his appearance of a man of God, saw where the questioning was going. So Elder Cocker shared a story I was quickly paraphrase. He said that the pastor was right in the sense that what we do, or how we act doesnt always openly make sense sometimes. But how he knows that is because often we dont understand the ways of God. Elder Cocker is the 4th child of 14 in his family. When he was young one of his older brothers was being taken care of by an aunt after the birth. I believe she was like a midwife or something. But due to an argument the aunt took the baby and took off to America with no word or warning. For over 20 years in daily family prayer and countless personal prayer the family pleaded with the Lord to help them find the son, when the time was right. About a year ago Elder Cocker was able to meet his brother for the first time in his life. thanks for the Tongan community here in LA people helped him get in contact with his brother. There was no coincidence that Elder Cocker was sent here to Los Angeles. Of all the millions of places in the world the Lord knew His purposes and blessed his children.
This story, as im sure you feel now, touched the hearts of the people at that BBQ. There was no question about if what we are doing is the work of the Lord, or of man. It was so amazing to see the spirit working in that man. It has been by far one of the most eye opening experiences of my mission. I love being able to serve the Lord and take part in this wonderful work. I love you all and pray you try that extra little bit to be able to know your part in His plan. There is no greater joy in this life.
Elder Wilson
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