Michael

He said:

So it has been a really long time since I have even looked at this blog, let alone record some feelings. Courtney and I woke up on Saturday with a fun day planned. We planned to go to the International Sportsman Expo in Sandy, Utah. I am trying to get back into outdoor activities, like hunting, fishing and camping so we decided that this could be a start. Before we left, Courtney prayed that we could have a missionary opportunity that day, and that we could follow the promptings and share the gospel.

Well......After a fun filled day of walking around, we decided that we would go and see the nice new library building downtown. We were driving there when I remembered that we were going to wash our bedding before we went to the library. We found a laundry mat in Sugarhouse. After doing our wash cycle, we put it in the dryer. We were writing on napkins some ideas we had to become a power couple, when this dude walked into the mat. He wasn't hard to notice because of the right side of his face was pretty bashed in, eye swollen, lips cut and scratches on his left cheek were hard to not notice. We were sitting in the corner of the laundry mat, and he decided to use the washers right next to us (even though there were a ton of open ones else where). Hehad that stench on him, that took me back to the days of mission. I taught someone that was interested in the LDS church that had this exact same smell. It had the tang of cheap liquor and bad breath. He smiled at us, and started mumbling and talking to himself under his breath. We weren't sure if he was talking to us, so of course Courtney said hi. He was very nice, but kept dropping the F word, and talking to someone saying you stupid mother F______. He then said something that Courtney and I are proud of...You two are LDS, huh? I responded. Yes we are! Why did you think that? He responded, you two just look happy together, and go perfect together. We thanked him, but asked him if he knew anything about the church. He replied that he was a member. He had been a deacon, teachers and priest quorum president, until he caught himself. He stated that the bishop is the president, but that he was the second councilor. He then went on about how he came to Utah to go to BYU, and then how he served a two week mission back in Texas. The stories he told were between his split personality conversations, and the statement of you stupid mothers, and you don't care, kept coming out. We talked with him for a good 45 minutes or so while our laundry was drying.

I kept getting up to show him that I am 6"10 and 280 pounds. He kept saying that this is one big mother to Courtney, while she stated; "I know". He kept going on that he won't mess with me because how tough I am. haha Out of all sincerity he was playing and joking, but I wanted to make sure he knew I was in charge if he wanted to get down. :)

We kept talking to him about the church, and committed him to come to church. We really didn't think that he would come, but he accepted. He kept saying that he will be drunk when he comes, but he would come. He said he will stink, and not shower before, but wants to come and hear about our Heavenly Father and JC (this is how he referred to Jesus). We told him we were doing a baked potato bar after church so he should come. He gave me his cell number ( he is homeless, but has a cell number ???? ). I told him that we would meet him the next day at 10:30 to make it to our sacrament. He accepted, but asked if we had anything to keep him warm that night. We had a University of Utah blanket in the trunk of our car, that we both felt that we should give him. We gave it to him, and he was so happy and grateful. He kept saying that he would never lose it, sell it or anything.

We finally were able to break the conversation and make it out to the car, while he stood there like he had something else to say, but we thought it was best if we left him for the night and followed up with him the next day for church.

We prayed that he would answer his phone the following day, and come with us. I personally was a little worried that he would start talking to himself in sacrament, say the F word, or smell so bad people would stare. Courtney was pretty excited about the whole thing, but I wanted to support her with this so I really didn't say anything about bringing someone like this without really preparing them for church.

We woke up early on Sunday morning, prayed again for Michael and called to see if he was still wanting to come. He answered, and said he was still down to come so we drove to Sugarhouse and picked him up. His face looked a little better than the night before, but there was still the smell. I let him use my cologne...Well I can say good bye to the cologne. He literrally probably used about 45 sprays all over his body. There is a tiny bit left, and everytime I where it, Courtney says it smells like Michael. She wants me to throw it away now. :) As we drove to church we talked about his favorite scripture. He said that his favorite was found in 1 Nephi 1:20. He said that the middle part is what he loves most. "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

We asked our friends Halee and Schylar Namanny to save us a seat in the back of the chapel, just in case there was any incidents that happened. He was actually pretty good. We sat in the back, and he was quiet the whole time. He cough weird a few times, and grunted, but overall he was pretty dang good. Afterwards, we went outside to chat a little bit and he said the last speaker was full of SH*^. He said that he didn't think he was sincere. I started laughing so hard because of the way he said it. I wanted to keep talking with him outside, but Courtney wanted to bring him into Sunday School. Flags instantly flew up! I have seen investigators come to classes, and instantly chase the spirit away, and I didn't want that.

What is an illusion? This was the first question of the class. Well Michael instantly rose his hand to answer. The real question is illusion, or delusion...? I swear, after answering like 10 questions, Michael got up and went outside. Courtney was the happiest person at this time. She kept tellingme to take him outside. He is controlling the conversation! The only really weird thing he said was; you're either man, or monkey. Which one are we? He was referring to Christ being real, or an illusion. It actually was quite a relief when he got up and went outside. I followed him of course, and Courtney soon followed.

We stood between the outside doors, and the church talking. He kept swearing so Courtney got mad at him, saying that while you are in the doors of the Church you can't swear. He would messup every once in while, but overall did pretty good. We talked about what he really wanted....I want a big thing of weed. I just want to get high right now. After a few chuckles, Courtney with her stern face said, Michael! That is your temporal desire, but what do you want out of life. When you look back at your life, are you going to be happy with the way you are living now, or happy that you changed, found a job, started coming back to church, etc...He said it didn't matter, because he believes that God will judge him accordingly, and whatever kingdom he was placed, would be better than now.

We decided instead of waiting another hour, that we take him out to eat. We drove to the Wendy's in Sugarhouse and ordered food. We told him to get anything he wanted, and of course the Baconaider was what he wanted. The most expensive meal up there. haha At lunch, wetalked more about church and him meeting with the missionaries. We told him that we would let the missionaries know about him, and that he has a desire to go back to church. We told him that the church could help him get out of the place he is in. He kept saying that he can't find a job when he is sleeping under a pine tree. We told him that people have changed in worse conditions, and he can be one of them. After lunch he wanted us to drop him off at the Aquatic center to shower. We gave him 3 dollars in change to go and take a shower, and also gave him a bag of food. Top roman, canned fruit, etc... He was very grateful for all that we did for him, and walked up the steps.

This was an experience that we will never forget. We couldn't afterwards, because of the smell in the car and the fact that every time I put on my cologne, it reminds Courtney of him. I had to sell my cologne to Courtney's brother because it bothered her so bad. haha :) We pray that he can find his way, meet with the missionaries and continue to run into people that are willing to lend a helping hand. All we could think of were the scriptures referring to giving to people in need, and if we don't then we aren't his. Or the kingdom will be according to your actions.

We are grateful to have met Michael! PLEASE READ THE BOOK OF MORMON, AND MEET WITH THE MISSIONARIES.