Missionary Work is Challenging

 Hudson is experiencing the challenges of missionary work in the bible belt.  Most people he talks with tell him they already have a religion and he need not bother with them.  People feel if they have been baptized in any religion that is enough.  He states there are churches everywhere from run down small buildings, to large ones that look like office buildings, to one where everyone dresses in wranglers and the preacher rides into the building on his horse and preaches from on top of it.  He has been told of a pastor that when the spirits strikes him strongly will run along the backs of the pews during his sermon looking up to Heaven and praising it.  He has felt optimistic about a few contacts that have resulted in heartache and worry.  He was prepared for one man to come to church on two occasions with them, but he did not show up.  Now he won't return calls, texts or answer the door.  He is a veteran with health issues and Hudson has been concerned for his well being.  The young man that was baptized just before he got there had some issues at the ward Halloween party.  Hudson is concerned about the way the Bishop handled it and is not sure he will be back to church.  A cold call led to a Book of Mormon delivery, in a mailbox, under the cover of darkness, at night.  When they made a follow-up call they were told they had the wrong number and this person did not request the Book of Mormon.  I hope he was answering someones prayer, by putting it in THAT mailbox, that he is unware of.  To top the week off, Hudson went to meet with a religiously scholared woman that he has been talking with since arriving in Tennessee.  She has met with the missionaries over the years.  She states she knows the Book of Mormon is true.  She feels the priesthood exists on the earth, but feels it does not have to follow a line of authority.  When Hudson and Elder French arrived she was sitting on the porch.  She was reading from the Book of Mormon in one hand and holding a glass of wine and a cigarette in the other.  I keep telling him "I need pictures".  He is excited to be able to eat in homes and restaurants with investigators now.  He is invited to a weekly Saturday morning outing with two elderly men in the ward and their retired pastor friend.  He got to try chocolate gravy which you dip your biscuit in.  He said it was the consistency of  thin pudding and was not that great.  Maybe if it was homemade it would be better?  He hoped for a possum kicking while delivering the night ride Book of Mormon.  He was in the "sticks" and had passed several deer.  He saw multiple little eyes on the side of the road, so they stopped the car and he went running.  It was a good think he looked before he kicked, because it was a family of raccoons. Since it was P-day he was wearing athletic shorts and tennis shoes.  I don't think he would have won that fight!  Hudson has also learned that Amish do not shave and that includes the women.  He was unaware so many woman could grow beards.