Bolivia Bound: Thoughts From The Miami Airport

We are sitting in the Miami Airport.  I think these lines are the same ones that I wrote two years ago in the same place while waiting to go to Argentina.  Some eternal experiences have transpired in the last two days.

Sunday.  Many compliments were paid to the Azul District.  We averaged 80% on DMT, 9 out of 10 memorized all 8 discussions, and many commented on the love and examples that we have shown each other.  That night we had a great culture class.  Elder Harris and Elder Merrill really got us excited to go.  Then, we went up to the temple and had a testimony meeting.  I cannot describe the spirit that was there so I won't try.  After the meeting we all gave each other abrazos.  Everyone was crying, those abrazos were so neat.  I just won't forget District Azul.  It rained on the run back from the temple.

I felt like I was in a dream world on the bus to Salt Lake.  The reality of 2 months has not sunk in.  These two months in the MTC have been the fastest in my life.  If I have had thoughts of being unprepared they are gone.  Now is my time and I am ready.

Seeing Mom and Dad and Linda at the Airport really was a dream.  It was so fast.  Dad and Mom were fairly easy to comprehend but I haven't seen Linda for five months and I was just shocked at how good she looked to me.  I just bumbled with my words.  I don't think that I got one clear thing across, and that handshake with Linda just seemed insufficient.  I guess one day I'll gain my reward haha.  I talked with them a little about my experiences in the MTC and what they were doing.  The time went just too fast.  On the way up to the Airport I wrote my testimony in The Book of Mormon that I bought for Dad.  The road was real bumpy and the handwriting was shaky but it was my testimony.  I also was able to bear my testimony to all three in Spanish, it was neat for me and I think that they felt my spirit.

Well, on the plane to Denver I handed out my first pamphlet to a man who had his family with him.  I was nervous as all get out.  Elder Cowley who is in my traveling companion told me that I did a good job, that helped.  Speaking of Elder Cowley, his grandfather's brother was Matthew Cowley.  He is a real good missionary.

My second contact in the plane was real great.  We were flying between Denver and Dallas.  I sat next to a lady named Laura Wallace.  We got a real good conversation going about Colorado, Trumbles in Boulder, sheep, Aspen, and many other things.  We became fast friends when I gave her some of my Mom's toffee that she made for me.  She raved and raved about it.  Well the spirit was helping out and I got some inspiration.  I told her that if she gave me her address I would have my Mom send her the recipe.  That was the first address that I have received for a referral and I think that it was pretty smooth.  We then got on the subject of families.  I gave her Elder Cowley's tract on Family Home Evenings since I had given mine to the first family.  She mentioned that she had the missionaries over before.  I asked her what she thought of the Church.  She told me that she thought the Church was a real good one and that she was extremely impressed with the youth.  However she told me that she couldn't accept the Joseph Smith Story.  I told her my feelings about Joseph Smith, bore my testimony of him and gave her the pamphlet on him.  I aske her to read it again and pray.  I told her also that I would send some missionaries again.

I felt so good doing all of this.  She truly was a good lady.  By this time the plan had landed.  I took a big piece of the toffee and wrapped it in a napkin for her.  I really think she was touched.  We said our goodbyes and parted.

My third contact was probably the strangest.  A lady who was from Cuba and returning on a vacation to Miami.  She didn't speak very good English which gave me a chance to practice my Spanish.  We introduced ourselves and I talked with her a little about Bolivia.  She then kind of drifted off to sleep.  We ate dinner and then she slept a little again.  I had decided that she didn't want to hear about the Church.  I think it was just that I didn't want to talk because the spirit was really working.  It seems as if out of nowhere she just asked me what our Church believed.  Well, I guess I realized that it wasn't me that should decide who to teach and who not to.  I girded up my guts and got going.  I presented the C-1 concept and C-2 to her in Spanish.  I was really nervous.  I hope that I didn't get her too confused.  I told her that if she gave me her address, then some missionaries would be sent to tell her more.  She did so gladly.  She was really surprised with the story of Joseph Smith.  Apparently she had never heard of him.  I felt so insufficient with my ability to communicate.

It's 1:20 am and we just heard that our flight will be delayed until 4:00 this morning.  That is going to be a while.

The variety of people here in this Airport is absolutely incredible.  All races, colors and creeds are represented.  Spanish is as commonly heard as English.  There also is a diversity of morals and standards of attire.  Some with sufficient, others insufficient.  Well it is time to attempt some sleep.  Before I do that, I will write just about my feelings right now.

I can just feel those precious missionary days just slipping through my fingers.  Talking with the people is really a great experience.  Every person is so different and so full of stories of their own life.  I always hope that I can have this desire and love for the people.  I think the love that I have felt for these people has come as part of my call.  The last lady that I taught was a negro.  The funny things was that distinction wasn't made until I saw her later in the airport.  While I was teaching she was just another child of God to whom I should share my message.