Dec 15th - "No solicitors, can't you read?"

They had such a nice grand piano too... *sigh*

It's not the door slamming that's discouraging; it's the fact that
they won't hear the message we have to share with them! While tracting
on Tuesday before dinner, we stopped at a house out on Battlefield
Pkwy. I peeked through the big window, and sitting there in the living
room was a shiny Yamaha grand piano! As always, I got super excited
and waited with eager for them to answer the door. We heard footsteps,
I saw a man peek through the smaller window next to the door, and he
locked the door. *CLICK*

Huh.. so I tried again. This time, the wife answered the door, but
before she said anything, her husband came back and said, "no
solicitors, can't you read?" And slammed the door. Sure enough, a sign
was posted out by the big tree saying "no solicitors". Great, except
we're not selling you anything! We kept going, but after every house,
I'd always look back down the street, give a big sigh, shake my head,
and keep walking. A message was skipped, a piano wasn't played, a
lesson wasn't taught, and, and... :/

But hey, our purpose is to invite, right? If they're not ready, then
they're not ready. Simple as that - and hey, I'm okay with that! It
just annoys sometimes, ya know? Anyway.

We hit the Festival of Lights at the Washington DC temple yesterday!
It was so beautiful, and after a bit of strolling around we went to
the Visitor's Center to watch Jenny Oaks Baker perform! Hooooly canoly
she was amazing! And her kids (four of them) were incredible! One had
the guitar, another the piano, then the violin, and finally the cello.
They played this huge Christmas medley, and it was just killer -
Sister Todd was among the little orchestra playing with Sis. Baker,
and so the whole front row was us from the ward going "Whoooo, Sister
Todd!" After the concert was done ^_^ hehe

I've told you guys how well the members feed us, right? Well, if I
haven't, let me tell you what my dinners were last week:

Monday: Bro. Rothman and his family took us to CiCi's pizza buffet
(THEY HAVE MAC N CHEESE PIZZA. WHERE HAS THIS THING BEEN MY WHOLE
LIFE)
Tuesday: The Stallards fed us huuuuge soft shell tacos
Wednesday: Bro. Rothman's father fed us lasagna and garlic bread
Thursday: Bro. Guymon fed us taco soup, then took us out to Arby's
Friday: Bro. Canigiani fed us cheese steak subways (I had three -
golly they were good!)
Saturday: Ward Christmas party!!
Sunday (yesterday): Bro. Peterson and his family fed us steak and
mashed potatoes

So much food... goodness. Oh! And we had our Christmas Mission
Conference at a stake center in Mt. Vernon, and it was a talent show
with lunch and a program - I was the last talent of the night (played
and sang Silent Night (yes, a very nice and serene version :P ))
before we had Brother Studderd came and spoke to us. Long story short,
this guy was one of the top advisors to Pres. George H. W. Bush, and
the first presidency turn to him for a lot of political discussions
and such. And if you want to have an idea of how much of a "stud" (see
what I did there? "Stud"derd? XD oh man I'm too funny) he was, he got
visas for Elder Holland and President Monson to go to Nigeria, Ghana,
and South Africa in the space of five days. Pretty boss, right?! :D

This work is amazing; I'm so thankful for such strong members here in
the Goose Creek ward, and I'm definitely thankful for all your support
back home! Above all, I'm most thankful for the opportunity to be out
here. We are all His children, so as such, He loves us all no matter
what! And this gospel IS for EVERYONE. Christ sat and ate with
publicans and sinners during His Ministry; not for public image or
for praise, but out of love. We don't knock on doors and stop people
on the street for praise or recognition. We do it out of love - and I
really do love the people of Northern Virginia. Many different
ethnicities, cultures, and lifestyles slammed into one, and hey, guess
what? I get to experience all of it! Not as a tourist or a journalist,
but as an instrument in His hand. 3 Nep 9:12-17. "Whosoever will come,
him will I receive" and we're here to help them reach for His extended
hand of mercy. What a great time we live in. Love you all!  keep up the good work
wherever you are! :D

Love,
Elder Taps 😎

P.S I heard the Raiders beat the 49ers... ahahaha! ;D