Teenage Book of Mormon Throw down ;)

My FAVORITE MIRACLE of the week happened Saturday night. Sister Dixon and I were walking back to our car and I started talking to two teenage boys who were running out of a garage. One said he was Christian and we stood and talking for a few minutes, his others friends came out. (Actually the teenage boy called one of his friends out, he said, "Mitchka, you're atheist, come talk to the Mormons, see if we can change your mind.") We told them we're not here to change minds but to share what we know to be true so they can find out through prayer the same things. That God loves them, that we have a prophet on the earth today, as in times of old, that has authority to act in his name That Christ came to earth to perform the atonement and reconcile us with god, that the fullness of the truth was lost soon after the apostles' death, and that god once again lovingly stretched out his arm to bring forth another prophet. and We can know all this to be true by reading the book of Mormon and praying about its divinity. 

 It was apparent right away which ones were not interested.  A few listened quietly, others were curiously and asking questions, and a few laughing and sneering at us all. Of the 12 or so kids 4 of them agreed to read the Book of Mormon with us. We all walked down to our car, I opened the trunk and as I handed each a Book of Mormon I said, "Will you pray tonight about the truthfulness of the book of Mormon?" "yes." "Will YOU pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon?”yes," and so on. 

We sat down and read the introduction under a street light (yes it was before 9pm... :) followed by Nephi chapter one. The spirit was there and the teenagers were sitting reading the word of God. It was such a blessing to witness the first time those children of god uttered words of holy scripture from the book of Mormon. We finished the chapter and discussed it. The "Atheist" girl said she was surprised how much it made sense. the other girl seemed to understand it very well. One boy, Andrew, seemed to be sitting and contemplating. Right as we were going to have a prayer the whole group of friends came outside, some of the readers dispersed, but we got them back together to say a closing prayer. They asked me to say it. and while the 6 of a stood in a circle a little off from the rest. It was hard to concentrate because the other 7 or so (including an adult) were talking to each other, joking about the prayer and my remarks, I tried not to listen to them, and was amazed at how I was able to block them out like a switch. WE were not ashamed. I was not mad at the others. , but disappointed that they would treat scared things so lightly. However it was very encouraging to see these four high schoolers participate with us in spite of their other friends' readily apparent disapproval. 

It's bizarre to me how easy and natural at times it is to be a missionary, and how at other times how forced and unnatural it feels. The difference I think is congruent to the readiness of the child of god we talk to. I promise for as many small success stories I share or experience me have 15 not so successful stories. 

This one I thought was pretty great. Saturday Sister Dixon and I we're tracking and met a woman named Barbara, she said she was Jewish but it turns out only by blood. she didn't really know much about Judaism. We read the Intro to the Book of Mormon and it takes about how the LDS Church is the true church "once again established on the earth preparatory to the Messiahs second coming". she says, "Oh that’s cool. It's says Messiah. Jews believe in a Messiah, right?" We gave her the Book of Mormon and she said she was going to start reading the bible but, "Can I start reading this instead?" :) of course Barbara. Of course, she said she is busy as well until her kids go back to school, but we invited them to church and will keep trying to get her there! 

Jessy is on fire! He asked us for an extra Book of Mormon so he could give it away, he delights in reading the scriptures, and upon finding out at church its gods plan for us to get married he changed his views on marriage (he had mentioned before he didn't want to ever get married). He is excited to get the priesthood and striving to be worthy for it has kept him away from past temptations and dark paths. he is a wonderful young man.

We have been planning Matt and Eddy's baptismal service. It is on the 24th at 4pm. I’m excited to attend the first baptism of investigators I have taught! It is such a mercy from the Lord that I was able to witness their entire conversion process to the church; or should I say more specifically, conversion to Christ's gospel. the both bore their testimonies in our lesson with them last night. Sadly I can only resort to cheesy, or clique words to attempt to describe it. You could just SEE it in their EYES. They are happy. They are more comfortable, more themselves, EXCITED for life, more aware of others, and JOYFUL. Eddy was talking about how he is thinking about serving a mission. Matt told us when he was sad or angry he used to play video games or waste time, "Now, “he said, "I read the scriptures, and it makes me feel so much better. I feel so much better."