What a week... I don't even know where to start or what to include, and there's probably things that I forgot happened this week. Very wild.
Last week started out with an amazing district council! I've absolutely loved this district, definitely a top 17. We had a powerful testimony meeting, tears were shed, and friendships were bonded for the rest of however long we remember this district. Thank goodness for pictures! I don't know what the kids did back then without pictures.
I think it's interesting how it's easier to see the hand of God and the impressions from the spirit looking back, rather than the ones that hit in the moment. The story that you're about to read is a result of 20-20 hindsight, as that seems to be how I learn from our Heavenly Father the most. After our district council, the members of my district wanted to go out to lunch. I really didn't feel good about the idea, but I also really wanted to go to lunch. Sister B had a Taco Bell gift card, so we chose that place. It wasn't too far from the Institute where we held DC, so we all piled into our matching missionary vehicles and blasted down the 56 at exactly 72 MPH (that's the max you can go with tiwi).
We pulled up to Taco Bell (which happens to share kitchens/store with a KFC) and ordered our rare treat of fast food on the mission. We all enjoyed lovely food, great conversation and a sweet spirit as we munched. The spirit told me we should probably leave, but I knew we hadn't been there the full hour yet and there would be push-back. But then, the door swung open and made that annoying welcome sound. Literally as soon as the door opened, the spirit rushed out the door faster than our Nissan Rogue with tiwi can drive. Two men walked in, one holding a camera and the other asking us if we were enjoying our food. My district mates all responded warmly, so I turned around to face this child of God and saw the other guy with a camera. As soon as I saw the man with the camera, I stood up and walked out of the restaurant. Only one of the other Elders followed me, leaving all the young missionaries in there...
This man then proceeds to tell us what he thinks we believe, quoting what seems to be a ChatGPT description of the Word of Wisdom. He asked how we could rationalize Taco Bell when we're 'supposed to avoid harmful substances.' One of the sisters gave a response about how the harmful substances relates to drugs, playing right into his skewed argument and making a big mess... I walked up, interrupted him and told him that we had to go. Everyone got up and left. Very big smh, for sure. Apparently he's a big name on Instagram, because one of my companions recognized him and we found his page. Not a great start to the week, that's for sure. Throughout the rest of the day, Elder H, M, and I ended up talking to a lot of people who just wanted to argue for the sake of arguing. Very smh of a Tuesday, frfr.
People who target 18-20 year old kids with no education or training on apologetics really are something. I have no respect for any discrimination, but especially targeted at people who are not trained to argue. For heaven sakes, all we do is invite people to follow Jesus, take it or leave it. The massive amount of malicious people here in San Diego is just a testament to me that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is something special, because there is no other religion hated like we are. Satan works double time on God's missionaries and God's church, that's for sure.
Halloween was a W. We ended up walking around a lot, just talking to people at the mall or out on the streets. We didn't want to knock on doors, didn't want to make things weird. The UTC mall ended up doing a trick or treat at all the stores, so it was fun to see all the families come out to the mall in their costumes. I'm surprised nobody thought we were in a costume, I guess we were a bit too realistic or had too much of the spirit... Regardless, it was a wonderful night of inviting people to come closer to Christ. We even had an inactive member text us that we shouldn't recognize Halloween because it's a Pagan holiday... Yeah, it was one of those weeks... I'm exhausted...
But guess what?! It's November! That officially means it's Christmas time again, and it means we can put up Christmas decorations and start listening to Christmas music! My companions think I'm crazy, but as soon as I move into my new apartment on Wednesday my Christmas lights are going up. I'm so excited! Vons was celebrating too, because Halloween candy was 50% off! I picked up a bag of white chocolate Kit Kats, solidifying this week in the books.
This week we got to meet with one of the new members of the ward. They work on temples around the country, so they just moved into the empty lot just south of the temple in their RV. It was so neat hearing him tell us about the construction and the miracles that are happening inside the San Diego temple during its renovation. I cannot wait for it to finish, it was a treat to hear him talk about the building that meant so much to me at the beginning of my mission. Bad news, he said that they're not even close to being done and it's still a long ways off. I guess I'll have to take my family on a San Diego tour once it re-opens.
For an example of a really amazing person we met this week, we met a wonderful man just down the street from the church! We were trying to visit a member that the ward council didn't really know, so we boarded the 2023 Nissan Rogue and warped over to his house. He unfortunately didn't answer, but his neighbor was out on his porch and was really curious about how much we got paid doing this. To his surprise, we told him that we actually paid and volunteered to be here. This ended up evolving into a long conversation about the concepts of Heaven and Hell, in the which we told him we'd bring back the scriptures and a member of the congregation to discuss it further. It was a common missionary W, being so recognizable and friendly that people ask who the heck we are and why we're doing what we're doing.
Whelp, I guess that sums up my week! I'll probably remember more things that happened as soon as I hit send, but this is what gets slapped on the paper today. There were good things that happened, and there were bad things that happened. I'll be looking forward to finishing my mission in the ASL branch, back where I started. We're coming full circle here. Specifically this week, I have really felt the reality and sanctity of the third member of the Godhead. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost in my life, I know he really is my constant companion. It makes serving the people here a joy, even when there are people who don't appreciate the concern ;)
On to eternal perfection!
-- Elder Coxson
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