October 21, 2013

People are great. They really are. I think I might just share stories about people this week, because that's who I'm constantly working with. Strangers, friends, teachers, students... people. And when doing this work, it's so easy to absolutely love those you work with day in and day out.

We got a text one day last transfer from Church HQ, giving us a referral for Thomas. We got his address and number, but nothing about him or what he might've requested. When we knocked on his door, he said he had no idea why he was "referred" as he didn't even know any Mormons! I felt a little ridiculous until he said he wouldn't mind learning more, regardless of how we got there. What. Cutting the story a bit short, but he is now on date for baptism next month and has seen a difference in his life from our being there. He says his desire to learn stems from seeing how happy Christians are in general, and "I want some'a that!" Yes, Thomas. Yes you do. He was an answer to our consistent prayers for a referral, and although we have no idea who gave us his name we do know that we've been able to meet with him for a reason, and it's thanks to the wonderful example of others that he desired to know more.

Our Ward Mission Leader is the absolute best. He was once a Bishop but now devotes his time and energy to the missionary work of the ward. Every Saturday we meet with him and the other missionaries in the congregation, and he always has something new to share with others! He told us the secret: every night, he'd ask Heavenly Father "is there more?" and always got a response. Recently, he changed his question to "and what else?" He gives his all to his calling and is such an inspiration and example of positive thinking for me. When one of our investigators asked where he got his speakers, he said "you can have them, I've got another set at home!" ...what. She was absolutely shocked. The spirit was in the room so strongly as she stared at the speakers and back at him... when she asked what she could give him in return, he simply said "just keep doing what you're doing." He's given us pumpkin swirl bread and is always there to offer a ride when we can't find anyone else. I've titled a journal entry on him. Brother Winder. is. the. absolute. best.

Last Friday we doorknocked into a 91 year old man who happens to be the father-in-law of a less active member in the ward! He is such a jovial man, he has a chuckle that literally wiggles his chin, and loves learning about religions since his wife died 5 years ago (he uses her Bibles, was raised Baptist, but we noticed two JW's leaving his house before we knocked so we think he'll listen to just about anything). We intended to teach the restoration the next day but learned more about his tragic backstory and decided he needed to learn about the Plan of Salvation first. He had 4 kids -- one daughter died at age 2, and one son committed suicide in adulthood. His son recorded one final song on the guitar before passing... and he shared with us the tape. It was such a talented song -- couldn't hear too many words, but the chorus of "On the Other Side". I cried. Literally cried. I felt such an overwhelming feeling of compassion for this man and his son. To think how sweet and happy he was, despite all of the opposition, is amazing. I can't wait to share more with him. He was teary eyed our first meeting, after having read in the Book of Mormon, and simply said -- "you've made my day."

Meanwhile, I intend to get my district all saying "tcau tcau" by the end of the transfer. It's gonna happen. I've already got the Elders in the ward practicing the line, "Not me, not Hermione, you!" somehow. The Elders and Sisters I get to work with here are all so fantastic, for serious. To think we've all sacrificed what we have to be here... I can't imagine any other church being able to send 80,000+ young adults with the standard we have to live with. It's absolutely incredible. One funny exchange last Wednesday: "I think God has a sense of humor. Every Sunday night when I say my prayers, I like to tell a joke at the beginning. I mean, he already knows the answer, but at least he gets a laugh..."

People are so great. To think we all have such intricate little lives, each and every one... I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of those lives, however small a role I play, out here in Michigan. I know I'm here for a reason -- whether to touch other people's lives or for them to touch mine -- and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to serve.

A great quote from General Conference sums it up pretty well: "It's not about where you serve, but how."

Be great, and you can do hard things!

Best wishes e amor,

Sister Kaegi

Last District Meeting

Service at the Golf Course! Got to dig a hole. Sis Nuttall drove a tractor thing. It was funtimes.

We didn't have a dinner one night so a family in the ward brought one, and the family, to our porch! I love these kids so much.