I Am Grateful To Have Been Picked Up On At The Gym

My First day in the MTC

Within seconds of walking into the gym I caught a set of eyes checking me out. As many of you already no I am EXTREMELY observant. But the thing that caught my eye about this boy was that he is black. Here on campus (sadly) there are not many black men and I thought I had been introduced to everyone of them and have seen them regularly, but this one had a familiar face. It was familiar but I felt like I hadn't seen him in a while.

After walking past I took a look back at him and then to my surprise he totally just waved at me. I then took the hint and walked over and asked "have we met before?" He looked at me all crazy and I realized he really was just trying to hit on me and didn't recognize me from anywhere. Right then it all came back to me...

2 years ago in the MTC I was teaching a young black man from New York on the phone (you missionaries remember the RC? Word is they shut it down at the MTC, I was devastated to hear that). This man on the phone said he didn't think there were any black men in the Mormon church. I had noticed the black elder who walked in the room just before he had said that to me and I responded "funny that you say that because there is a missionary in here right now that could clear up that miss conception". I then begged the elder to get on the phone with this young man. At first reluctant and almost offended that I asked he took the phone. Come to find out this young elder was heading on his mission to New york! They had a great conversation and this elder took his information down and promised me he would take care of him when he got to the field.

When he got to the field he contacted him a few times but he didn't live in his mission so he was unable to teach him. Today, this young man informed me that he still has this guys' number in his journal. I have been wondering how I could contact this man again and now the opportunity has risen! I love that the Lord always remembers us, He will never leave us alone.

Not only do I have a way to contact an old friend but I have made a new friend. He is even adopted by a white family which I am sure my nephews would love to get to know someone who shares a similar story to theirs. The Lord is willing to place people in our lives who will bring joy as long as we are willing to be open to those opportunities when they arise.