Hello my friends!
This has been truly a crazy week as I now have my feet on the ground here in Texas. I got here on Tuesday and was greeted by the Bramwells who are my mission leaders. Our first stop was the Alamo where they told us the story of it. Then they gave us Book of Mormons to hand out and we were sent out into the city. The experiences there were pretty incredible. One lady I met said she had never heard of our church or the Book of Mormon and that she had been feeling very down with life. We gave her a Book of Mormon and invited her to read a certain part. She said it really helped her and she was interested in finding out more. So we referred to the local missionaries and went our way after a prayer. Later, I saw her on a bench waiting for the bus and she was reading the Book of Mormon! We then got to walk around the beautiful San Antonio Texas Temple and take pictures. We actually got see a owl there too who was perched on the spire. I can't remember seeing an owl before so it was pretty cool.
I also have had what feels like the whole experience! I have had doors shut in my face and been told to go away. But I also have had people open their doors to me and the message of Jesus Christ. The first lady who actually opened her door to me is now a friend we are actively teaching.
By the way, I am actually in Seguin, Texas. It is a little ways east of San Antonio. I will probably be here for 2 transfers which is until the end of the year. Everything here is very flat and it is becoming fall, but the trees are very green here. Seguin is not what I expected to be honest but I have had some fun moments. We got to help set up the county fair and we helped set up the lights in the parking lot. My trainers name is Elder Rudolph and he has been good at showing me the logistics of many things which is good because our days are pretty much full always and it is a lot to manage.
This Sunday was also pretty unexpected, because it was a lot different then home. I am in a brand new ward that split, and I am in the smaller ward. Our church is at the center of town and it has a security force to help keep it safe for the congregation. We actaully got 3 of our friends we have been teaching to come to church and it was wonderful. I sadly did not get to meet many members but we are gonna be stopping by more throughout the week. I also got to have lunch with the Bishop and his wife yesterday and they are just wonderful and are great leaders of the community here. We are planning a fall festival and are expecting 3,000 people to come. Last night God also blessed me with a joyful encounter with just some lovely people. We were in an area to meet someone but they did not show. But someone Elder Rudolph has met before was home and had friends there. We got to sit down with them and just hang out, they are not from around here so it really felt like angels making me happy just to be a friend to someone.
I know this email is a little scatter brained lol. And I hope to get the hang of being more clear on my events here. Even though this is not easy here, in fact it has been pretty hard, I have felt the Holy Ghost and I am gonna keep pressing forward. Something I realized is that it is Jesus Christ who is strenghtening me so much. I have been places I would normally avoid, talked with those I would not want to say hello too. And when I do it ends up being such a wonderful experience and I see them as children of God. Even if the day was disappointing or I feel discouraged, Jesus Christ is picking me back up and telling me to press forward again.
I want to just share one last moment with yall. While knocking doors at an apartment complex, there was one door I did not intially knock because of some agressive signage that made it seem like they do not want visitors. But as I turned down the stairs my trainer knocked it. No one answered and so we left a picture of Jesus and walked down the stairs. When we got to the bottom it was as if I had no idea where to go. I felt like I was told by the spirit to wait. And so we just stood there and then that door opened up above us and he said Oh come in!! We went inside and got to meet him a bit and he wanted us to pray with and for him. Truly wonderful and humbling experience with the Holy Ghost.
With love,
Elder Noble
P.S My Prep-Day is Mondays here in Texas.
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