So we went to the Empire State building today and boy is that building soooo highhhhh. Great views of New York for sure! We didn't get to go all the way to the top, however we got to see some great aerials of the Big Apple. I still cant believe sometimes that I live here. I get the "behind the scenes" look at what this city is all about. Of course not in a way that the locals do who have the ability to go any- and everywhere or even the tourists, but I do get to experience it on the personal level.
What do you mean by that? You are just a missionary!... Double duh! What I mean is we talk to more people here than people who have lived here for years. It is not just your superficial "hey, how you doin'?" (not assuming that is what everyone is about around here) but we actually get to know the people who are around us, which in reality is getting to know the city.
There are such sweet spirits here in New York. People who have come here for all sorts of reasons, or who have grown up here for generations call this place home. It is an amazing dynamic. It really helps me to realize how this Gospel is not just a cookie cutter, one-size-fits-all church. Everyone brings their own life to the sacrament table and finds that the principles that govern them in the spiritual sense put every worry at ease and help them build more fulfilling lives.
This last week we had a lesson with such an amazing girl that we stumbled upon; such an intellect and so driven! She was asking us questions about the hows and whys of Mormons, questions stemmed from her brief readings of The Book of Mormon as well as some principles that she had learned from some member friends she had experienced in the past. The questions being asked were predominately in regards to the spirit and knowledge. For example, "How could you have all this (as she points to a nearby bookshelf full of books) and still make the claims of this (The Book of Mormon) being the most 'correct' book?" and "How do you account for the Spirit?"
As I bore my testimony to her I realized something that I hadn't fully enveloped in the past. I opened my Book of Mormon and read 3 Nephi 17:5-7. As I did so I could feel the presence of the Savior...really. I let her know that the Bible gives a great layout of what the Savior did, but who was he? These verses single-handedly helped me FEEL who he is, and recognize that he does indeed live. I continued on without answering her question about accounting for the spirit, there was no need because she felt it too. I let her know that all the knowledge that I have and continue to obtain is in direct correlation to the writings of "this book". I assured her that the things that she has experienced and knows are all a part of our progression on this earth. I couldn't have left a lesson feeling more blessed for the testimony that I have than I did that day.
I know it. That's all there is to it. The invitation still stands for all those who are still wondering to learn more. If anything, knowledge is power :) Anyways, I just love you all so much. Life is moving fast here in New York, a "New York minute" if you will. I've got to take a moment to slow down and cherish what I have. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to recall and do that. Again I love you love you, and so it is...
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