I just wanted to
share a really weird experience I had the other day. We were basically
running from one appointment to the next, because we were a little bit
late. The streets here are really crowded and there´s always a ton of
people going from place to place, but as we passed a restaurant, I saw a
blind man struggling with the steps leading down to the sidewalk. He
made it safely to the sidewalk and started moving hesitantly toward the
crosswalk. We caught up to him, and passed by just as he ran straight
into a light post. It was just like what you would see in a movie - his
face hit the pole, and his body kept moving, and it just looked painful.
Nobody else noticed, thank goodness, because someone might have laughed
or something, but he just shook his head and kept moving. It was a
moment that made me feel so sad. I don´t even know how to explain
it...just so much sadness for this man, I don´t want to say I felt pity
but basically that´s what it is, right? I told my companion we should
help him cross the street, so we went over and started talking to him.
He told us where he needed to go, thank goodness, because he was headed
in the complete wrong direction. I put my hand on his shoulder to keep
him from walking into the middle of the busy intersection, and asked if
we could help him. Very quickly he noticed that my accent was not
Peruvian, and asked where I was from. I told him I was from the USA, and
that we were missionaries from "La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos
de los Últimos Días." If we´re being totally honest, I think the part
that was most interesting to this man was the fact that I was American.
But, we crossed the street, and somehow he managed to get his arm
completely around my shoulders, so I was hunched over completely trying
to help this short (very, very short) man cross the road. We get to the
other side, and he just plops this huge, slobbery kiss on my cheek and
takes off. I don´t know where he ended up going, if he got to where he
needed to be, but I just stood there so surprised. My companion just
died laughing, and I didn´t know if I should be offended or if that was
like my "thank you" and I should just say "You´re welcome". Hahaha it
was really just a strange moment of my life.
I feel like that´s just a weird example of life, the
way that we as people serve other people. There are a lot of times when
we have the chance to serve others, but we just pass by because we are
busy or because in the moment our problems are more important than
whatever could be happening in someone else´s life. Sometimes they´re
little things, like helping someone cross the street, or sometimes
they´re bigger, more noticeable things. The funny thing about this man,
is that no matter how much I might wish that my little act of service
would be the reason for this man to search our church, talk to the
missionaries, and get baptized, it just isn´t going to happen that way.
That´s just not how it works.
I just wanted to share that little thought with you. Also this one -
I
was reading the talks from General Conference (where all of the leaders
of the church speak to all of the members of the church) and the Elder
Russel M Nelson said a few things that I loved in his talk in April :
"Faith is the antidote for fear...When we speak of faith - the faith
that can move mountains - we are not speaking of faith in general but of
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." He also said "Truth is truth! It is
not divisible, and any part of it cannot be set aside. Whether truth
emerges from a scientific laboratory or through revelation, all truth
emanates from God. All truth is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
I can´t explain the greatness of the truth that
Elder Nelson expressed right here. Everything, every single basic thing
in our lives, is centered in Jesus Christ. Those little acts of service
to waking up in the morning to go to work. All that we see, who we are -
all of it comes back to the basic fact that there is someone greater
than us who loves us perfectly and gave us all that He was so that we
might be able to find Him in this life, and exercise that faith that
Elder Nelson mentioned.
I want you to know that I believe that is true. With
all of my heart. I am so happy! I love my mission and I love Jesus.
Thanks for being the best family in the world. I love you all so much!
Have a great week! I will be talking to you soon!
All of my love,
Hermana Michelle Scott
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