It has been another great week here in Orlando Florida. Here are a couple more fun Florida FAQs:
- There is no neat little grid system like in Utah. The roads are all helter-skelter and named cool things. For example, there is Jaffery Ct., Barrymore Ln., Pineapple Dr., etc. The street we live on in our little apartment complex is Boca Chica circle. I think that is totally pretty, but then this morning I was thinking and it occurred to me that Boca Chica literally means 'mouth girl' in Spanish. .... Not so pretty. Awkward.
- There are a ton of thunder/lightning storms. Apparently I was subconsciously freaked out by these, because I had a nightmare that we were with the Crane family driving around in a lightning storm and I was praying my guts out that we wouldn't die. But they are actually really fun to be in, if you are inside. :)
So there has been another experience this week that can be labeled: #OrlandoFloridaMissionProblems (the boys will understand. It is akin to #FirstWorldProblems). Our air conditioner broke! Haha just like our microwaveable eatingware mishap, I felt so funny complaining about the heat when missionaries in Panama are hacking through the jungle with a machete. But it was still uncomfortable nonetheless. Sister W. is dying, and I am totally laughing.
Here is something else interesting about Florida: People in the south go on and on about how Florida really isn't "the south." (.... though I have heard it is really hick up north) However, Orlando is very much a part of the Bible belt! I didn't know that before I came here. I think we have only talked to 3 people who claim no religion. We run into 7th Day Adventists, Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, "Non-Denomonational" Christians, Baptists, you name it! It is different, because you aren't introducing Christ to people -- you are changing their perception of Him. One of our problems is that Jehovah's Witness missionaries will knock a neighborhood right before we do, so people get irritated. Other than a million billion Christians, we have encountered several Hindus, Buddhists, and we always know when we are at a Jewish door because they have a tiny box with a scripture in it on the doorframe.
Because of all of this religious hubbub, we have had some interesting experiences! Here is one I love: We were at the gas station, and just held the door open for a man who was pushing a cart. We smiled and probably said something too. He said, "Are you all Christians?" And we said, "Yes! We are actually from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!" And pointed to our nametags. He replied, "Oh I didn't even see those - I just knew." That happened another time with a woman outside of her house. Even though there is some tension between religions, I love that people can tell we are followers of Christ. We wear His name on our chests and we wear it in our countenances - or at least we should. "Christianity" is an interesting uniting force. We love to talk to people about how Jesus has blessed their life, and they love to share. I am glad to have the tools to receive a full knowledge of who He really is - a lot of other people don't understand that fully because they don't have the gospel. A lot of times people won't pray with us or listen, but will accept our picture of Christ. A lot of people here love Him and try to follow Him. It is apparent very quickly what people are Christians at heart and what ones that just claim to be.
So with all of this Christianity, we were surprised yesterday to have an interesting encounter. A man called us from across the street, asked if we were ministers, and said we could talk to him. As a missionary, this is kind of always a weird situation. They could either hate your guts and want to bash you, or they could be that miracle person who really has been waiting! Haha so you always have to check, and we did. He was a very devout Muslim, and pulled out fact after fact and analogy after analogy to prove us wrong. He spoke of Christ with respect as a prophet, but insisted that we were brain-washed and He was not the Son of God. We listened, (we didn't really have a choice... he wasn't letting us talk) but my heart started burning with testimony. We know so much more about the Creator of the Universe. Prophets are good, but He was so much more than a prophet. Before Abraham was, He was. He Atoned for our personal sins and for the fall of the earth itself. He is all-powerful and all-loving. He helps us in times of need. He guides His church, succors His people, and speaks to us through the scriptures. He lives, and I know Him. I felt sad for this man who didn't. I love being able to stand up for Him and live my life 24/7 for Him. That was a good experience for me because I was reminded of why I am here and Who my Master is.
I love this mission stuff. I love seeing someone open a door and loving them for no particular reason. I love complimenting people on their yards and houses and seeing them smile. I love offering to help people with the things they are doing and seeing how someone who would have sent us away without a blink or smile will open up to us and send us away laughing and with a wish for a good day. I love being around missionaries where this is all we do, every day. How joyful to be involved in such a great work.
My challenge for everyone this week is to read a Chapter of the Book of Mormon every day. Most of you are probably doing this already. Here is why I have been thinking about it. First, we have been visiting with a less-active member named Sister F. She is wonderful. She hasn't been to church in years, but called us and asked us to get a triple-combination for her - she wants to start reading again. Our Elder's Quorum president was inactive before, and he said what got him back on track was reading the Book of Mormon again. It shocks me and makes me kind of sad to hear people say that they only read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time right before they left on their missions. Read that Book. Love that Book. I testify that there is a power that comes into your life when you read it. I have seen it in mine. Good luck. :)
I love you all so much. I love learning how to be better and learning more about being an instrument in the Lord's hands. I love testifying of things I know are true and love so much. Thanks for being the best family ever.
Love, Hermana Allred
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