Missionaries

So this week has been a bit difficult.  I had a new group arrive from Europe this week.  It's always good and bad when I have a group of new delegates arrive.  Despite weeks and even months of preparing for some groups, it is always stressful when they are finally in DC.  The good thing is that I finally get to meet them and converse with them. 

On Monday we had lunch as a group at Busboys and Poets.  (I just noticed that the only times I've written about my groups on here seem to be when we go to Busboys and Poets. We eat at other places too, I promise!) During lunch I sat and talked with our State Department supervisor, a Croatian and a Fin.  Somehow a good portion of the conversation was turned to my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Both the Croatian and the Fin knew about the Church and had seen our missionaries in their countries.  They asked me all about my faith and knew quite a bit already.  I was amazed at their inquisition.  Since our State Department rep was sitting there, I made sure not to say anything that could veer toward proselyting.  I really only answered their questions.  Of all the international visitors I've met, they're two of three who have seen our missionaries.  They're the only two who knew anything about the Church. 

Later that night my roommate happened to have our ward's missionaries over for dinner.  We try and feed them as often as we can.  I related to them the conversation I had with my visitors and they were pleased.  There are missionaries working hard here in DC as well as in Finland, Croatia and many other parts of the world.  Not excluding McAllen, Texas, where my lil bro is currently serving a mission.

I got a letter from that lil bro today.  He found a typewriter so he typed out my letter that is usually handwritten.  He gets a limited time to email so he usually only writes my mom while on the computer.  I think he'll soon realize that typewriter typing is very different from using a word processor.  I'm sure the novelty will wear out before I receive another letter from him.  I miss him so much!  It feels like he's been gone forever!

beck