Elder Collin DeWitt: WEEK NINETY EIGHT

What a good week!

On Saturday the Parkland ward had a breakfast that we helped set up for. After helping out at quite a few major events in the last few weeks, we were ready to work hard and fast. We quickly found that our newly acquired catering skills wouldn't be needed, since it was just a regular ward party with not nearly the same levels of attendance. We got to talk with a lot of members that we don't see very often, and get to know them. The best part was when the kids asked me to push them around in some of those little plastic cars that the primary presidency had brought. It was SO FUN. I ran the cars all around the parking lot at top speed, and did some pretty awesome drifts that for real cars probably are only possible in the movies. Kids are the best. No adults have ever asked me to push them around in those little cars. I guess they won't because they all remember the day back when they were kids, and they tried to fit into one that was too small for them, and the panic attack they had when they couldn't get out. I'm sure all of you know what I'm talking about.

You might remember me mentioning our investigator Geri at some point. We've been in frequent contact with her over text this week, keeping in touch and seeing what we can do to help. We asked her when she would be able to meet, and she said she was available on Friday night. We remembered that President and Sister Keung were putting on a "cottage meeting" that night, and so we invited Geri to come. She said she would love to! A cottage meeting, for those of you who don't know, is a gathering usually at a home where people are invited to eat, mingle, and enjoy a spiritual message at the end. And of course, dessert. Geri loved meeting the Keungs (everybody does) and Elder and Sister Amberson, who are a senior couple from Wisconsin. The spiritual message was about the First Vision and Joseph Smith. Afterwards, she expressed concern that we might be placing Joseph on the same level as Jesus Christ. We helped her understand that we don't worship Joseph Smith, but that we respect him for the things that he has done for the church. We explained a little more of his life, which helped her understand better the reason for the respect. The conversation continued for about an hour afterwards, and we were the last people to leave the mission home. It was a great night!

We had a few potential investigators that we found this week, which was great! We're still working on meeting with them, and hopefully I'll have something to report next week.

Yesterday we did something a little different. You might have seen a video the church made of the "Book of Mormon Experiment" where people come and read a page of the Book of Mormon and share their thoughts on it. Our mission has been authorized to do that here in Calgary, as well as what we are calling the "Chalkboard Experiment". We stand in a public area with a huge chalkboard, and ask people if they want to write on it. Written on the chalkboard are a bunch of questions like, "What is the purpose of life? What does family mean to you? What brings you joy?". People write their answers, and we try to relate their answer to the gospel.

Did I mention we wear street clothes, go by our first names, and don't wear a name tag?

It was great! We talked to a lot of people who otherwise would have avoided us, and had great conversations! It was super, SUPER weird to say my first name out loud.

Our apartment needed some maintenance this week, and so our landlord's dad came and visited. When he came inside, he said, "I have to say, you elders keep a very clean apartment! Better than the sisters when they were here!" Every time we've had housing inspections, Sister Miller always says, "Your wives are going to be very lucky to have such clean husbands!" So not only is cleaning super relaxing and rewarding, you get lots of complements! (I guess low expectations are a prerequisite to getting compliments.)

Have a wonderful week! I love you all!

Elder DeWitt