4th of July

email 7/8/10
I couldn't email on Monday because apparently we celebrate the 4th of July on the 3rd and the 5th, so OF COURSE the libraries were all closed. Tuesday we had zone conferences, and yesterday I had appointments scheduled for every hour of the day already (both a good and a bad thing), so I'm emailing on Thursday, and I will email again on Monday. Weird.
I think the founding fathers would be pretty shocked and a bit ashamed to see the way people celebrated the 4th of July here in Providence. There were lots of murders, lots of drinking, lots of car accidents, and trash EVERYWHERE the next morning. Everyone had hangovers the next day as well, so the whole city seemed to be a little lethargic. We deemed it kind of stupid to be out on the streets at the time, so we retired to our apartment early that evening (it was a good choice). "Happy Birthday America! Sorry that your party was so lame." (Who can guess that movie quote?)
This week was really cool because Elder Dowdy finally got here, and my threesome split up. It was bittersweet. I loved the threesome, and I'll miss it, but I'm excited to be in a normal companionship for the first time. I've been in a foursome for 4 transfers, a threesome for 3 transfers (including the MTC), and I've yet to be in a regular companionship, but I'm stoked for it. It's been a whole lot less hectic with just 2 of us, and I find it much easier to focus. I'm really glad that my teaching pool survived the split between the 2 new areas, and that I still have tons of work to do up in North Providence. This week has been really productive so far, and we still have lots of good things set up for this weekend, so all is on the 'up and up'.
I had a pretty cool experience this week when I found a woman, Luz, on the street to whom I just gave a card for a free video of Jesus Christ, and set up a return appointment. We showed up at her house for the appointment, and she actually led us to her daughters house so that we could teach the 2 of them together. We had a really good lesson with them as we watched the church video "Together Forever" and taught them about God's plan for families. Luz loved what we were teaching, and mentioned to me before we left that first appointment that she had been searching churches her whole life trying to find the 'truth' and had pretty much given up her hope when she saw me in the street. She said that the only reason she invited me back was because she was so blown away by how nice and sincere I was. She said that she'd never seen such a countenance in someone before, and even though she was weary of hearing about religion, she knew something was 'different about this one', just because I was nice to her. I have a testimony that there are honest truth-seekers from all different walks of life and circumstances. They are all around us, and they are kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it. Some are actively seeking for specific answers, and some just don't know what to look for. As members of this church, I pray that all of us may be more conscientious of the opportunities around to us to share the gospel in simple ways. Just being a 'nice' or 'happy' person may be the clue that people see about you that leads them to investigate the church. You don't have to proselyte, but you should always be a witness of Christ, no matter where you are or what you are doing. Being a witness of Christ is both profound and very simple, but whatever you do just 'let your light so shine before men... that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven." Being a witness of Christ, in many ways, involves little more than just being good to people.
I love this Gospel, and I love this wonderful opportunity I have to be a special witness of Jesus Christ. I know that this church is true, and I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
With much love from your favorite elder,
-Elder Shepherd