It's a major meltdown up here! 02-20-08‏

Ok! So not long ago we had another of Canadas cold spells! Here in the more southern part of Alberta the wind is the real topper. The weather can be at a decent -15 degrees (which isn't terribly cold) but the wind can drop that dramatically to the point we're advised to stay inside!After about three days of that wind the next day the temperature shot to around -5 with minimal wind. We went and shoveled snow for 4 hours! We call it service tracting and it made a ton of progress for us. Ok I'm gonna tell the story... We had noticed that the Millards hadn't shoveled their walk all winter. They're a small family Dianne (mother) Ron (Father) and James their adopted 4 year old son. James is a riot! He talks more than most adults and always has a million questions. Sister and Brother Millard are very kind and always eager to have us over for supper. We've grown pretty close with this family since they make it a point to fill in our dinner calender whenever there is a vacancy! Yes that means sometimes we eat there three nights in a row!We had talked earlier about doing service tracting. Basically the plan was to walk down the street and shovel walks for strangers. We decided we would start at the Milliards and do their street! Now Sister Millard had warned us that they have Jehovahs Witnesses on both neighboring sides of their Duplex. I have nothing against Jehovahs witnesses I have in general found them very nice to us. BUT they are extremely devout and very VERY rarely receptive to the missionaries. Nearly every single house on that block had someone come out and thank us for shoveling their walk. One family had had a baby the past week another had been ill.Then we came to Brents house. Elder Frost started on it while I finished one of the houses near it. Brents wife came out and said "Thank you so much It's very VERY appreciated." She bundled up her children and left the house in her car. We continued shoveling. The driveway was packed solid and about 5 inches thick. We were only planning on doing a walkway for them but then came out Brent.Brent is about 22 years old. He smokes and is a pretty nice guy. That being said he never would have given us a second thought had we tracted that street. He came out and sat on the porch and lit up his Cigarrette. He Said (explatives removed) " I feel pretty guilty sitting in there watching you boys work your tails off." We assured him it was no problem and that we were happy to do it. Brent told me that he had that morning lost the person most dear to him. I made sure not to be pushy and asked a few questions. He told me it was his uncle who had raised him. He suffered a massive heart attack and simply slumped over in his chair. This uncle had a wife and children still at home.I asked "Do you have a belief in God?" He answered "well I never really was religious but I more believe in positive energy." I explained our beliefs on God. I expounded on the plan of salvation and that Brent very well could see his uncle again one day. He asked "What do you believe happens to people not in your church?" I told him they recieve a fair chance to accept the gospel. His ride had arrived and he picked up his bag. I asked his name and if we could come back sometime. He said this upon leaving "I'm not much of a religious man. What you had to say was a nice comfort to me. You boys can come back any time if I'm home and we can talk about the history of your church."This email is extremely long but look at that! A man that I feel very confident in saying would have given no second thought to us knocking doors accepted a lesson and said we could come back! What a major step in his life. I have a testimony of service! I heard a talk the other day about the second mile. Jesus taught a sermon where he mentioned (paraphrased) "he that would have you take his burden one mile, go ye with him a second."He was referring to the Roman decree that the Israelites were obligated to carry a Roman soldiers load for one mile. This indeed was a lesson in service. I have seen truly the softening ability service can have! Imagine how great the world would be if each one of us made it a point to do something kind that someone else cannot do for themselves each day!Life here in Canada is good! This past week has been as regular as missionary work gets. I hope at home you're each recieving the blessings you need. Love, Brother, Son, Cousin, Nephew, Friend
Elder McCarty