12-19-11
Hey y’all!
Holy Toledo this week went fast! This week was very busy and the upcoming week looks to be just as if not more busy.
On Monday evening, Elder Miller and I made our appearance in the world religion class at the college. Our presentation went really well and the professor (an Anglican priest) had nothing but good things to say about the Church. We gave a 20 minute presentation about the Restoration (essentially the first lesson) and then discussed the 13 articles of faith. After our prepared comments, we answered questions about the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, and Temples. Overall it was a great experience and every student walked away with a pass-along card and a copy of the 13 Articles of Faith.
Cammarae, the girl whose project we were in appearance for, showed a lot of interest in learning more about the Church. As we met with her and her partner before the class began, she expressed that as she’d been preparing for this project, that she’d been given some very special feelings about the Book of Mormon and the doctrines of the Church. She asked if she could have Missionaries come to her home and teach her family so that they could join the Church. She had been praying about it with her husband and they feel that the Church is the best place for their family to be. We gave the referral to our District Leader who happens to cover her area, and we expect their family to be baptized very soon.
Salvador, Cammarae’s partner in the project, showed a lot of interest also. When we met with them before class we gave them the first lesson and answered a few last minute questions. He wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon and stated that he was seriously looking for the truth and that he had been doing so for some time now. He wasn’t comfortable giving us his number or address but we made sure he had our number and knew exactly where the Church was. We also gave him some literature to read over and pray about. We hope to hear from him very soon.
Athens has been in the National news as of late. Some of you may have heard about the controversy going on here that has been covered by just about all the major news broadcasters if I’m not mistaken.
In the center of the town square in Athens sits the county courthouse. On one of the corners of the courthouse property there is displayed a life-size nativity scene. It would seem that a local citizen disapproved of the Christian depiction on the public property and issued the help of a Wisconsin based “freedom from religion” group to protest the Nativity. Some went as far as to vandalize the scene, prompting local officials to place peace officers on watch at the square at all times.
On Saturday there was a rally held in support of the Nativity. There were an estimated 5,000 or so people in attendance. We had the opportunity to go and listen to the various pastors speak and pray. The overall tone of the speeches was very impressive. Most called for responsibility and a restoration of Christian values in our homes and communities. All of the speakers urged those present to make Christ the center of their lives and to cease being the “silent majority”. After the speakers, the entire crowd sang Christmas hymns to close the rally.
Elder Miller and I were able to speak with a dozen or so people and handed out about 100 “Joy to the World” pass-along cards. Look for the story on the internet and you might even see me in a picture or two!
I think that about covers it for this week. I love you all a ton and I look forward to talking to most of you on Christmas! I hope you all have a very happy and safe Christmas and that the Light of Christ shines especially bright in your world this Christmas season. Until next time; be good, stay safe, and keep the faith!
Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
Texas Dallas Mission
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