As they would say in Detroit, "It's been a minute with Elder Whetzel!" That could literally mean a minute, could mean weeks, months, or years! The statement "I ain't been to Church in a minute" definitely requires a follow up clarifying question :) It's been a while with Elder Whetzel, and we still like each other! It's a miracle! I'll miss him when he goes home in a couple of weeks.
As for the week, it was a good one :) Didn't go all as we expected, but we had many great experiences. First off, we went on exchange with some Zone Leaders in the Roseville area (their whole area is Detroit). I actually was working with Elder Ferguson for the day, we served around each other in Ypsilanti 8 months ago, I love him! He's a great man. Anyways, We drove down streets where both sides were filled with houses that were abandoned, boarded up, I even saw one with this huge tree that had fallen into it! Trash all over the yards and streets, it's just so different from anywhere else I've ever been in my life! I should've taken my camera down there but I forgot!! Sorry about that Mom :) I won't forget next time! But the people there are AMAZING. So humble and such strong faith in Jesus Christ, and most all of them are willing to listen to you if you're talking about Him. We had a super cool experience as we were biking that I'll share:
First you've gotta understand that in Detroit the people just walk across the main roads, forget the crosswalk! They just choose a pace when they start across the road and go all the way through. We call it "the Detroit walk." Much better than simple jaywalking. So we see this guy come out of a Dollar Tree and take a Detroit walk across the street and he ends up a little ways in front of us on our bikes. So we catch up to him and stop to talk! You could tell he was a little surprised two guys in white shirts and ties were riding their bikes and stopped to talk with him, but he kept talking with us! So we get off our bikes and just start walking with him, we walk a little ways and we end up on his front porch and we start to teach him The Gospel. He expressed that he's had family members pass away and he wanted to feel peace in his life. He had attended Churches in his youth but had never really applied what he learned. We discussed The Plan of Salvation with him, and his eyes were opened, it was amazing! He was just intrigued the whole time as we talked about our (his) purpose in life, and where we came from. We testified of Jesus Christ and His Saving and Redeeming power that is available to each of us, and that He made it possible for us to live with our families again. We taught about Baptism, and how as we are Baptized we gain full access to that Atonement that He made for us. He was feeling like he needed to be perfect to be baptized but we assured him that neither of us were perfect and that all we are required to do is strive to be perfect. He was still unsure about baptism when we invited him to pray at the end of the lesson. He prayed and offered a very sincere, simple prayer. He didn't even ask if he should be Baptized, he just thanked Heavenly Father for the knowledge that he gained as we talked with him. We sat there pondering after the prayer for about 15 seconds and he says under his breath, "That's crazy." We said "What's crazy?" He replied, "My life just flashed before my eyes... I think I need to be baptized. Yes, I need to be baptized!" We were so grateful that Heavenly Father heard and answered His simple prayer, and showed him his next step in his spiritual growth.
In our area a similar thing happened, Elder Whetzel and another missionary stopped to talk with someone who was just getting in their car in their driveway to leave (Elder Whetzel and his companion were just walking down the street). But he talked with them and they said they'd be back in about 20 minutes and that he could talk with his girlfriend at the door. So they did! They talked with her and of course she thought it was pretty awkward and it held her back from opening up and discussing her feelings. But the guy that got into his car came back in 20 minutes as he promised, and they shared The Family Proclamation with them. We've come back and taught their family (Kevin & Sami are dating, and their 4 year old daughter named Courtney) 3 times now. They are doing so well!! And they said that they "love having us over." Of course that is because they feel the Spirit when we are with them. We've taught them about who God really is, and how they can communicate with Him as individuals and as a couple. We love them so much! We hope they will keep their commitments and progress towards Baptism.
Remember all of this came to be because we stopped to talk with someone that God placed in our path. How many times do we pass those opportunities up? How often does God place someone in our path, or place us in someone else's path to share the Gospel with them, and we shrink from the responsibility? I think it's more often than not unfortunately! But I know that as I've come to know that on my mission, I will not make those same mistakes when I get back home! I will talk with everyone, and teach everyone. And surely as we all act in faith and share the Gospel with all those around us, The Lord will trust us enough to place people in our paths who are ready to receive it.
OH! I almost forgot to tell you all, Rao Olibiri and William Lomas, two of our Recent Converts here in Livonia both went to the Temple last Saturday and were Baptized for their Fathers!! Isn't that just the greatest thing?? I love them so much :) I'm so happy they were able to go experience The Spirit in the Temple.
I love representing the Savior, who is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. May we all share his perfect Gospel with those around us this Easter Season.
A super easy way to do that is to share this video with them on FollowHim.mormon.org, or posting #Hallelujah on your Social Media sites. Check it out! And don't be afraid to share it with friends, neighbors, and strangers God has placed in your path.
I love you all!! I hope you have a wonderful week :)
Elder Goff
I found our street!!!
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