This week I'll call it "The Good, the Bad, and the Funny"

Susan asked me to share this entire email from Eldrew.

First, the Good:

To answer your questions about investigators: (not that anyone is counting...) I have been a part of 3 baptisms. Jimmy, Malonni, and Lacey. But the way it seems to go in missionary work is that you can't really claim any baptisms of your own.

The other day we got our mission newsletter, 'It Is Written', which contains articles from President and Sister Saylin and the Assistants, pictures of incoming and outgoing missionaries and baptismal statistics and names of individuals baptized. It was cool to see names of people whom I began or helped teach on the list. Oscar was going to be my first baptism...back in December on the 12th. He had some things to still work on so I never saw it happen. BUT he did. And the word was passed along that he is preparing for a mission! Edwin in my first area got baptized as well as a boy named Brooklyn.

Hopefully people I helped come unto Christ! Miranda moved to Virginia with her mother, she hasn't been baptized yet but she asked the sister missionaries if she could get baptized as soon as she got to her mothers. They told her yes...so...I'm confident she is going to be baptized. Currently we are working with a 24 year old man named Eric. He is going to get baptized this Saturday. He is overcoming word of wisdom problems and this week he is going through "detox". He took work of so he could sleep, throw up and feel miserable at home. Will you please pray for him this week that he can feel God's comfort and have the strength to endure. He is a very passionate young man and will go on a mission! ha ha :) I will send pictures of it home next week.

Some more good...My birthday. No breakfast in bed but I did get to wake up at 6:30 and exercise ha ha. My birthday present was given to me on Sunday. Lacey bore her testimony. I got all choked up and stuff. ha ha to feel the Spirit bear witness of what she said. She's thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. :)

Also, I feel great riding on my bike. I hope I stay on it my whole mission.

Also, today I read Alma 17...its amazing how diligence, faith, scripture study, pray, fasting, optimism increase our effectiveness in the Lord's work (Whether you're a missionary, a Sunday School teacher, on the High Council or a Laurel) Effective teaching, testimony bearing and even rock slinging and sword work! Ha


Second, the Bad.

There's none of that.

Finally, the Funny.

So here's an interesting encounter for you:

We were riding through a trailer park in the bottom part of our area when a car pulled up next to us and said, "Are you Jehovah's?" I replied, "No, Mormons!"

He said, "Nice, I'll pull over!"

So, he drove up a ways and pulled over and got out of his car. He was wearing black boots, black tight pants, and a black and white stripped shirt buttoned half way up with his chest exposed and over ten necklaces. His hands were covered in rings and his wrists with bracelets. On top of his head was a fedora hat covering is dreads that went halfway down his back. I laughed to myself as we rode up to him.

So! Tell me! What are you all about...maaaaan."

We told him, we're all about Jesus Christ and told him about the restoration. He was really interested but was really just interested in everything possible. He was "spiritual" and prayed to everything and anything people pray to...while he does yoga. He's studying to be a lawyer but the Man (American politics) is going to keep him from making a difference. He informed us early on in the conversation not to look up, because the airplanes and helicopters that were coincidentally flying above us weren't actually coincidently flying above us. It was the government keeping tabs on him. They are scared of him because he's going to do something for the people...probably a communist thing.

He also explained his ridiculous policy on guns which...I am afraid to say though it is stupid is kind of clever. He wants to take away everyone’s guns but not their arms. He will give everyone an arm...a sword. Because when everyone has a sword and no one has a gun, you'll think twice before you kill someone. His rhetorical scenario, "If I'm standing right there and you're standing over there and we both have guns are you going to think twice about shooting me faster than I shoot you? Probably not. Or if I'm standing right there and you're standing over there and I have a sword and you have a gun are you going to think twice about shooting me? No, because you have a gun! But if we both have swords you're going to think twice before you kill me because you may die first." ha ha ha ha hilarious. He told us to look at his face and remember it because it was going to be famous someday and then he was off.

Famous or infamous he will always be funny to me!

Your son,

Elder Andrew Paul Bellomy



Translation:

(Eldrew's Dad with a little Mormon-speak translation and commentary for those who may not understand all the LDS references.)

Andrew has never really spoken in detail about the people he has/is teaching who have accepted the restored Gospel and have been baptized. We were wondering and asked him in his weekly letter. The first part of his letter is sharing with us. Obviously, he is happy that he is teaching and people are listening to his preaching...but he is not boastful about it. (I will say that I am eternally grateful to the Mormons who introduced me to the Church and missionaries that taught me.)

Testimony meeting -- a once a month sacrament or communion meeting in the LDS Church where there is essentially an open microphone for members of the congregation to 'bear their testimony.' They can speak on any topic they want regarding their feelings and experiences in the Church. (One of my favorite meetings...very unscripted.)

Restoration -- Mormons believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure and authoratitve form was lost from the earth and that through a modern prophet, Jesus Christ has reestablished (restored) his Church. If  you are interested in the concept, you can read about it here: The Restoration of the Gospel

High Council -- This is essentially an executive board of Elders that assists in the administration of an LDS Stake. They are sort of like a board of Deacons in a traditional Christian denomination. A stake is an territorial/administrative unit of the Church made up of about 5-7 congregations. The closest equivilent is that of a diocese in the Episcipal or Catholic Church.

Laural -- a member of a woman's youth class aged 16-18. Eldrew's younger sister is a Laural.

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