June 02, 2014

"Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?"

- Frank Scully

What a week! There was the Memorial Golf Tournament in town, and there was graduation this week, so you can imagine the amount of people that were here in Dublin. I will start off this letter with a funny story and then the greatest story ever!

Private Drive to the Ryan's House

The Mangum Family in our ward are buying a house on the 18th hole of this golf course where the Memorial Golf Tournament is being held. Monday, we were able to walk around the golf course before the actual tournament (see last weeks’ blog entry), and then on Thursday we went back while the actual tournament was going on. So on Thursday we set aside 4 hours to do contacting at this tournament. I was super excited because it was going to be a place where there are thousands of people that won’t run away from us because they want to be at this tournament watching people. I thought we were going to be walking away with a ton of potentials and many new investigators and also referrals to send to other missionaries because there are a ton of people visiting. Well, we get on the golf course, and come to find out, you can’t talk AT ALL at golf tournaments. You ask someone a questions, and they stare at you like, "What are you doing talking to me here? Can’t you see there’s a Golf tournament going on?" I actually did get in trouble by one of the workers. He said "Either you zip it, or you leave." Well... that idea was just as bad as my bandage scenario from last week… (that’s my funny story) Lesson #99: Don’t plan on doing any contacting at golf tournaments... you can’t even talk to people!

Pretty path in Dublin

Now, for the greatest story ever: We were getting ready to leave with Sister Mangum and Larry, who is not a member and is the owner that they are buying the house from, comes up to us and says, "Sisters, I know you can pull some strings for us with the Man upstairs. Pray that it won’t rain this weekend during the tournament." I just laughed and said okay, and then he held out his pinky and said "Pinky promise?" I couldn’t help myself. I reached out and pinky promised him. For anyone who knows me, when I pinky promise, it’s for real. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in 28+ years, it did NOT rain at the Memorial golf tournament. 

After the Rainstorm

We had the opportunity to talk with Larry again last night, and we said, "Hey Larry, you asked for no rain, and your request was granted. You owe us a missionary discussion." His response, "You are right! I will give you 2 one hour sessions!" AH-HA! We got him! We extend on the first lessons and then set a date on the second lesson. Larry and his wonderful wife are going to become members!!!! :) (Well this is me planning for the future.) But how awesome is that?! I know, so great!
Lesson #100: Only bring up pinky promises when the odds are in your favor!

A couple of cute girl's in Sis. Gale's ward in Dublin

I also must say... The tournament ended Sunday, and Monday morning at 1AM it poured and thundered ALL NIGHT! So great, but I am so tired! 
The rest of the week was different. Every area of a mission is completely different, and regarding missionary work, you have to figure out how to play the area right. We have found that tracting does not work in Dublin but working with the members does. I know that since we have focused our efforts on helping the members have missionary experiences, a lot of them are working with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even CEO's of pretty big companies. It is the best when they run up to you and just tell you their missionary story. We happened to go to a wedding reception, because the mother wanted us to meet some neighbors that would be in attendance. Well, the focus for a bit was taken off the newlyweds, as member after member came up to us and told us of all their missionary experiences that they have been having. It was so great! :) I love every minute of it! :)

Hanging out with the Activity Day Girls

Being a missionary is the greatest thing ever! I understand why people say it is "the best 2 years!" or in my case the best 18 months. I get to learn so much about the gospel, people, the church, other religions, and most of all myself- the type of person that I want to be and the type of lifestyle that I want to have. The reason why people say this is the best 2 years is because it is a time to be engulfed in the scriptures, good people, and be away from the world. Did you go to the movies during that time? Did you read the most popular books? Did you go to concerts? Did you hang around just one group of friends? No, you did something different! You were set apart from the world, and it’s AWESOME! Some ask if a mission is hard… The only hard part about it is not talking to my family every day. Everything else--the cellphone, music, parties, etc.--I am soooo glad I don’t have that in my life. It’s a blessing, and I know that I will forever want this feeling in my life. I know what I must to do have it and the "rules" I must abide by. 

I would like to extend this challenge to all of you. As we set ourselves apart from the world and do things that are the best, such as reading scriptures, listening to good music, being INVOLVED in church, etc,. we will see a difference in our lives. I know that! I love you all so much. I love this gospel so much! I know what happiness we can bring to people's lives. We must be willing to share what we know so that others can be brought back to this knowledge. I love this work so much, and I love my job!

Sister Gale