Hello everyone!
I have now been in Tennessee for almost 5 weeks and time is passing faster and faster. And this area is doing really well right now. 3 weeks ago the ward split in half, creating a Lebanon 1st ward and a Lebanon 3rd ward (Lebanon 2nd is the spanish branch). So Elder Wakefield and I have cut our boundaries in half and are now just focusing on the Lebanon 3rd ward. It was sad to not see a lot of the 1st ward members as often as we did, but this change is for the best, and the members in the 3rd ward are incredible!
We started having car problems 2 weeks ago, so we got bikes and were on bikes for a few days until the car was fixed. But then, when we got the car, it started having the same problem again just 4 days later. We turned it in again and were on bikes for almost another week. Cars are much more effective for missionary work, and much safer. But I actually loved the bikes! It felt like I was cheating and getting more exercise time each day and it was awesome. We now have a loaner car until transfers (which are next week).
We had zone conference on Wednesday and it was fantastic! President Graham is an incredible leader. There are more people on date for a November baptism than any other month in the history of the mission. After President Graham told us this, he started talking about the need for a temple. They have officially marked a spot for the Knoxville temple and it is going to be incredible! This part of the world is ready to better help people on the other side of the vail. Exciting times in the Tennessee Knoxville mission!
On Saturday, Elder Wakefield, a member friend of ours, and I went to visit a house of someone who had met with missionaries in the past, but due to lack of contact, it was tough to keep teaching her. It had been a few months since anyone had tried so we decided to stop by unexpectedly. The lady we were looking for was not there, but her son in law was. He seemed fairly set in his ways, and while we did tell him about our Church and the Book of Mormon, he felt the need to try and teach us as well. He said that with his non denominational beliefs, and listening to different pastors throughout his life, he has come to the conclusion that we must become 1% better each day. Really nice fellow. As we walked back to the car, we just kept realizing the similarities in the principles he taught and the principles we believe. There are a whole lot of Christians here, and they are such great people. But like President Hinckley said, we are just trying to add to their knowledge. There are a lot of great people everywhere. But this gospel is the next step. And the only way by which we can enter the gate. Everyone can be a great and happy version of themselves. But as I've come to learn, only this gospel, the true and restored gospel, can each individual become the greatest and happiest version of themselves.
I hope everyone is doing well! I love being a missionary!
Elder McConkie
