Mariachi!

Ok so this week was probably the best and worst week of my mission so far. It was like everything went right, but everything went wrong at the same time so ya. It was elating and depressing.

Well now that the other elders in our apartment are gone, it is really quite nice. Our apartment was so crowded, and the other 2 elders that were there could get annoying from time to time, so it's nice that a) we have some breathing room, and b) we took all their investigators so things have really started to pick up! We have about 8 investigators right now, with a couple potentials and others that we are probably going to start teaching this week, so it's pretty nice in that sense.

When the other elders moved out, we completely rearranged our apartment, and one of the things we did was move the microwave over. For some reason, when we used it for the first time, it made a loud BANG and there was a huge spark. Well, thinking that China had finally made a move, I hit the deck. Naw, I just got a little scared.

So this week, we started teaching this one potential who is a really cool dude. In his late 20's, he's had a really rough life and a lot of challenges. But it was probably my most interesting lesson i've had yet. Basically, he sorta believes in God, but he saw this movie called "Ancient Aliens" where apparently there are heiroglyphics of spaceships or something...anywho, he is really smart though, and has read all the aprocrypha (the books that didn't make it into the bible) and he especially loves the "book of Enoch" and wonders why it doesn't talk more about him in the bible. He also recognizes that the bible has a lot of errors and wonders why that is. We almost told him to read the Pearl of Great Price, but decided against it. We didn't really teach him, just sat and got to know him more and learned about his concerns. One of the big things from the new simplified MTC curriculum is that we Teach People, Not Lessons. So we really just listened to him to get to know who he was.

Also, that guy that we taught and made cry last week turns out to be homeless. We went back for a return appointment and he doesn't actually live there. He lives "around". well after trying and trying to get in contact with him, we called his number and turns out he's been in Denver for the past couple weeks...Um ok...

We also got to teach Teresa this week, (the other person I made cry last week) and it went really well. I found myself saying things I didn't even know I was comfortable saying. Example, we were talking about prophets and she excitedly asked if the pope was a prophet, and next thing I knew I just flat out said no. (The pope has even said he's not a prophet...interestingly enough, Pope John Paul II was handed a Book of Mormon and remarked "Joseph Smith...beautiful young prophet") And when we invited her to be baptized and she said she'd already been baptized me and my companion just totally resolved her concern in unity. I couldn't believe the words I was saying, usually I let my companion take the concern, but this time I felt like I needed to chime in. We still didn't give her a date though, mainly because she is afraid to make a big change in her life. What is really necessary in those situations is fellowship. Lots and lots of fellowship.

Speaking of which, fear is a big problem we've been facing. The one reason why our week was so brutal was a) we were supposed to have 5 lessons on Saturday but 4 cancelled, and b) we were supposed to have 5 investigators who committed and were ready to come to church, but only 1 showed up. And she is 9. And her parents are active. (didn't get baptized at 8 for some reason, but hey, it's a free baptism). So Sunday we were just super depressed all day because 3 of the investigators, (a family we are teaching) didn't come and now will not answer our phone calls or the door. But hey, on the plus side the weather has been fabulous these past couple days. It's nice in Alamosa because we are at such a high elevation that the air is really thin. So it warms up and cools down very quickly. As long as the sun is out. But yesterday we fasted as a stake for moisture because the San Luis Valley depends on moisture. And it hasn't recieved any unfortunately.

And also this week, some members took us out for dinner to this Mexican restaurant (I am starting to love Mexican food). We were eating and it was really good, and all of a sudden this REAL Mariachi band comes out decked out in the whole costume and sombrero deal and starts playing some awesome Mexican music. There was even a guy singing operatically. It felt like I was in the 3 Amigos or something. It was just probably the most awesome experience I've ever had at a restaurant. But it got me thinking. In Canada, we really don't have anything like that. If I were to start a "Canadian restaurant" in the USA, what would we have? A hockey game on TV, copious amounts of alcohol, and Celine Dion thrown on the radio? Maybe some ketchup chips on the side... I don't know, but it made me feel lame.

And with that, I bid you Adieu.

Stay Fresh,

Elder Gibb

Ps. I call home in 19 days how crazy is that?