Elder Brad Simmons Blog: 11/22/15

Crazy week people. So this week was my first week with my man Elder Howard! It was pretty strange being in charge but I know Pittsburgh like I know the topical guide. The part that has really whopped me is I'm the guy thinking about buses, and routes and where to go. It makes things a bit more stressful but its all good.

With my new companion Elder Howard

The highlight of the week was Sunday for sure. Sundays are just the best. The ward members are great and Nick came to church again. He's gotten so much better with not smoking it's been great. Dinner at members' houses are always fantastic too.

Saturday was a interesting day. We went to a nicer area that we don't go to that often. We turned a corner where an old Italian guy was with a Pirates fedora. I said hi and asked him if we could help him with anything. He was really touched by the gesture and he talked with us for a good twenty minutes at least. He said he could feel the Holy Spirit from us. He also told us some great stories about him in the Korean War. He's one of those people who just make being out here all worth it. Then we turned the corner.. to a guy's house who was very nice to us. He was a past potential investigator. It quickly came out that he was a pastor. He was a really nice guy but when it came to having gospel conversations he was rough. He would ask us twisted questions that didn't have a good answer. We were there for an hour. He pretty much was one of the guys who got his authority from the Bible. So we never got anywhere with him. So that sucked. I was so exhausted. There's one example of the ups and downs.

Elder Howard after our Pastor Punishment

Today, Monday, it's been up and down as well already. Nick called us and said the baptism was off. He and Debbie got in a fight. The life was sucked out of me when that happened. Twenty minutes later he called again and said he needed to talk with us. So not all hope is lost. He's too into this gospel to let the people ruin it. Thank goodness.