"Good Mornin' Boss!"

"Hey good mornin' boss!"

        I've decided to open my weekly emails now with ways that
people here in the south greet us. This was my personal favorite this
week - an old black man sitting in a wheelchair just yelled it out to
us across the street with his hand raised and a big smile and it
literally made our lives complete. People here are so expressive and
unique, nobody is bland. Point to be taken from the story? 1) Don't be
boring 2) Say hello to people, it makes a difference!

       This week was incredible though. It's humbling to be on a
mission and I can't explain the love that we feel for the people here.
That's probably been the biggest part of my mission - learning to
love.
    
      We had a powerful experience on Friday night. We have an
investigator named Samantha - young mom with a pretty hard family
situation. We went to teach her, and her boyfriend was there - a super
nice man named Bobby. We're teaching Samantha  and we have been for
about half an hour - we're answering some of her questions about
prophets and the Book of Mormon. Then, out of the dark, I feel a hand
in my shoulder. A little surprised, I look back and see Bobby. He's
standing there, smiling, and holding three bowls. He gives one to me,
then walks to the couch where Elder Stuart and Brother Jack, a member
of our local congregation, sits. He gives a bowl to each of them.
       
     Inside the bowl are two hot dogs and fries, all covered in
chili. It's sloppily put together and a little cold. Let me say - that
food tasted better than any chili/French fry/hot dog hodgepodge I've
ever had. For this family, that much food was a huge deal. It built
our testimony of charity - they gave out of pure love.
      
  So on the topic of love and charity... Here's a poem about charity!

It starts as a feeling,
As small as a seed,
But quickly it blooms,
From a thought to a deed.

Far stronger than armies,
More grand than the sky,
Pure love leaves its mark,
Sometimes unseen by eye

All thoughts lead to actions,
So where does love go?
It's brings us to charity,
Which isn't for show.

Charity ne'er faileth,
It's part of our soul.
So all over the world now,
Our love now will flow.

Feel free to hate on the rhythm - charity ended up being an awkward
word to use in poems because of the three syllables and strangely
stressed foot but OK MOVING ON!

I love you all! Continue to have a great summer :)

        Elder McMullin