Friday, December 21, 2007

You really don't drink?

I had a neighbor ask me a funny thing today. This guy, Mark, is your typical Bronx type guy. He's loud and sometimes obnoxious, loves his beer and can't fathom the idea that I've never had a drink. Not even a drop. He always asks me if I've really never had a drink. Of course, my response is always the same. No. So today he finally asked me why. In return, I asked him why I should. He looked at me for a minute then simply smiled and said, "I guess you've got a point." During our talk, I could smell the alcohol on his breath and I wondered if he's wishing he didn't need a drink himself...I told him I didn't feel alcohol ever did anybody any good and if anything it served as a bandaid for some people. Besides, it isn't good for our physical health. He then said, "You're really only 31 yrs old?" - Not really sure what he meant by that, but it was kind of funny.

I actually really like this guy because he's quite friendly and nonjudgemental (unlike some of our neighbors). Then he asked what we were going to do about xmas since it was centered around the New Testament and we are Mormon. Wow. I didn't realize he thought we didn't believe in the Bible. It was great to be able to squash that idea right away and share some of our basic beliefs and what made us similar. (He's a non-practicing catholic). It made me grateful for Elder Ballard's(?) talk last conference about fast facts of the gospel. People really don't know that much about mormons out here. I hate that no one seems to think we're Christian. It's irritating sometimes.

2 comments:

Lokodi said...

Don't you just love experiences like that though. I thrive on those out in Germany. I have a good time squashing false impressions about the church. Every time I pray for missionary experiences, they ALWAYS come. It keeps me on my toes. I'm glad you were able to talk to him about it. Now he's going to be watching you. :)

Lindsey

Jess and Jen said...

I can't believe you're only 31 years old. My whole life, you've been my big sister, but 31 is just a few short years older than me (yes, older), and it sound very much like a contemporary, not an "older" sibling.

Hope your 31 year old body doesn't ache like my 29 year old body. I knew I should have stopped drinking years ago.

Wait, didn't you say on my blog that I looked "drunk on TV?" Guess my secret is out.