My first and only Fourth of July in the capitol as a missionary! Honestly that's a huge bummer, because I had such a great day, and an amazing week overall. I actually anticipated the opposite because earlier on in the week we heard that there were threats of a hurricane moving through the area. How are you supposed to do fireworks in the rain?! I think we figure it out back in Seattle.. On Thursday evening we had no appointments for the evening, so we went out to knock on doors. We were driving along and Elder Fisher had the thought to turn down this one street, but we had already passed it. So we flipped around and went to check out this street we had a hunch for. Dark clouds were rolling in right over our head, and I really did not feel like taking a shower. But we got out of the car and started knocking. We had only gotten four houses down when a man in his late 20s comes walking by with his dog. We compliment his dog and he quickly identifies us as mormons. He then proceeds to ask us what we're all about and says he's really open and interested to know what we have to say. We had the greatest discussion about Jesus Christ and what happens after this life. He has recently been going through an in depth study of the New Testament, and has been trying to explain a lot of the teachings of his current pastor. He shared that earlier in his life he got into partying at college, and every worldly pleasure, but found that it left him empty and unfulfilled. He repented and feels that he was born again. He married a good Christian woman and now has an 18 month old. He has a testimony of our redeemer and the power of the atonement. He brought us over to his house where we got to also speak with his wife about the scriptures and about our invitation to read the Book of Mormon and ask God about its truthfulness. There was such a good feeling about our discussion, they were being so genuine with us. Unfortunately he is going on a mission trip with his church to Uganda to help out in an orphanage for a month, but he will take the Book of Mormon and study the contents during his travel.
I also got to watch the baptism of a young lady in Lexington Park, where the spirit just testified to me in my heart that what she was doing was right. That we do have the authority to perform that ordinance. On the 4th my ward mission leader and his wife took us up to DC to see the parade and visit some of the museums. All along the way we talked to people on the streets and on the metro. We felt like celebrities because everyone quickly identified us as missionaries and stopped to talk with us. One couple was just sealed in the temple the day before, another young man was baptist and we had a good conversation about salvation. He then gifted us with some anti-mormon material! Every year on the mall they feature countries from around the world, and this year was China! What a coincidence! Even though I didn't see a single firework on this fourth, I felt more joy than any other year. I think we can feel that at any time if we live to be the kind of Americans our Fathers dreamed we could be, we will find true joy. That means to live trusting in God, and serving others, so let's do that every day of our lives!
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