Tuesday September 13th, 2011

Well there’s no need to wonder or worry about where I’ve been for the past couple days, because there literally hasn’t been anywhere I could go.Me and some of my companions were joking during the huge storms and floodings that were occurring; wondering if our parents were even aware of the catastrophic conditions. But I guess you were. And it sounds like you were a little more worried than I was. I’m not trying to downplay the seriousness of the bizarre weather, but I felt pretty blessed compared to what happened to the rest of the city. 

Last Tuesday was when the rain started. And honestly, compared to the disappointing rumbles of a supposed earthquake and the passing effects of Hurricane Irene a couple weeks ago, I thought I could handle a little rain. But it turns out that the Signs of the Times are a little closer than I thought. With large amounts of water accumulating in road-spanning puddles Tuesday evening, my wet companions and I thought nothing of gliding through one particular 2 or 3 inch deep puddle. However, after our car emerged from the splash, the car just stopped – making a clicking noise every time we tried to turn the key. After pushing the car to the side of the road in the pouring rain, a man pulled over to help us. A failed battery jump resulted in the man giving us a ride back to Hershey and we planned to hike back to the abandoned car the following morning so it could be towed. To our dismay and bewilderment, water somehow splashed into the car’s air intake, blowing a couple rods and rendering the car useless without a complete engine transplant. All in all, this meant that we, the five elders of Hershey, were left without a means of transportation.

The next couple days forced us indoors for most of the time anyway. The streets turned into rivers and the rivers turned into floods, blocking all possible routes from Hershey to any surrounding area, making work for our tri-companionship impossible, even if we had a car. I could probably say that I developed a bit of cabin fever, and strangely enough, I longed to be out proselytizing rather than being cooped up inside without any passage of leaving. One day after giving our car keys to the mechanics, we actually locked ourselves out of the apartment, realizing that our only key inside was on that keychain we previously handed over. Of course being the smallest of the bunch, I was hoisted up to our window while it magically slid open in the pouring rain. It probably would have looked super sketchy to any sort of bystander.

The work in Hershey is slow as usual. But like you said, I think in light of the effects of the recent catastrophes, people are being compelled to be humble left and right. The properties here aren’t built to withstand this much of water, so our missionary work as of late has been mostly helping people we come across, both member and nonmember.

When you have a lot of time on your hands and nowhere to go, it’s interesting the amount of meditation that you can accomplish. With the automatic and immediate responses expected by our generation, we rarely seek the time to be calm, not being idle or lazy, but in contemplation of worthwhile and Godly aspects. My advice would be to slow down, wait a bit, smell the flowers, feel the Spirit. You don’t need to experience an excess of water to find time to be still.

Elder Low

P.S. I told you a couple letters ago that I would really appreciate a children’s song book if you sent me a package in the near future. Not a big one, but one of those pocket-sized ones we have at home. Also if you do send me a package, it would be grand to get some more ties (skinnier ones, ie. from Le Chateau if you please!) and also my shorter winter coat. You know, the one that’s black and double-breasted. I know I have the longer coat but since I’ve been informed that I won’t always need to wear a suit in the winter, I could just wear a white shirt and my shorter wouldn’t look awkward.

P.P.S. I actually just got a letter from Jared this week! And it’s great to hear that Derek is loving the MTC. I am SO jealous that Elder Holland came to talk to the missionaries there.

Tuesday September 6th, 2011

As you probably guessed the libraries were closed yesterday. I hope you guys didn’t miss me too much! So happy day after Labour Day! Actually, more like crappy day after Labour Day.

It’s terribly cold and rainy here and apparently from the forecast you sent me, it’ll continue as so for the next couple of days. Reminds me a little of last summer working for the Town. I’ve found that rain is the Devil’s tool to hinder missionary work, and because we still don’t have any real investigators yet, tracting is becoming a frequent activity throughout our days. Although tracting in the rain is miserable and nobody ever wants to do it, I’ve heard a rumour around the mission that the more hours you tract in the rain, the prettier your wife will be.

Driving is becoming the bane of my existence. If I had my way, I wouldn’t care one way or the other if I wasn’t allowed to drive in the mission. I’ve never liked driving, it just makes me anxious. Apparently Elder Jex (the Fleet Coordinator) sent me the form that I need to fill out and subsequently send to you about a week ago but it’s still not here. So we’ll see maybe in the coming week.

This past week has been weird. I don’t think I’ve ever worked in an area where I didn’t know the reason I was there, until now. I made it a goal before I even knew where I was being transferred to find that reason I was in the place I was. God has a plan for me… so… what is it? The people are stubborn here and the areas we tract seemed to have been attacked by missionaries over and over. However discouragement, I’ve realized, is not the answer. It never is. Discouragement is the opposite of optimism. Doubt is the opposite of hope. Fear is the opposite of faith. Without those characteristics, I would be doomed in this area to come and go and accomplish nothing. Every thousand mile journey begins with a single step. So watch your step.

We recently found a lady from Beijing tracting on a street where EVERYONE was MEAN to me. We were very frustrated and were tempted to just go home because one of my companions wasn’t feeling all too well, but we knocked on one of the last doors to find this lady. She said she had a Mormon friend before and although she would soon be leaving for China again soon, she really wanted to work on her faith and come out to Church. Right after we said a prayer with her, she said her own prayer, thanking God in her own tongue for sending “these two boys” to her.

“Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.” I know God has a hand in all things. We need not ever fear. Trust in Him, and in good things to come.

Elder Low