This morning, rain forced me to ride the bus to school like a proper 5th grader: cold-lunch packed, homework-folder protected, and rain-jacket properly fastened. This particular bus route is quite popular, which is why I generally prefer a bike ride to the snails-pace, over-crowded, and smog-farting bus.
I was about to settle for the standard oxygen competition called “MBTA commuting”, when I realized that I was seated amidst nearly TEN Mormon missionaries, with name-tags affixed and ready-to-rock youthful smiles and articulate small talk. I witnessed one particularly excited guy jump around to several different non-native-English-speakers and strike up an exciting conversation in each of their own native languages. JEALOUS!
Our neighborhood in Chicago was always staffed with a pair of young Mormon gentlemen looking for fresh converts, which is one reason I enjoy seeing them around our new ‘hood. Reminds me of home.
Moreover, I am just SO impressed by many character traits that this (strange) religious organization seems to so consistently bring out of their young adult cohorts. To think that most of these geographically displaced evangelists are willfully spending a couple prime years to get their preach on is intense. I am not saying I agree with WHAT they believe, but I’m a pretty inspired by how hugely well-organized, passionate, and sustainable a social institution can be.
Maybe this positive impression is The Enemy at work, and I’m being blindsided by their seemingly confident empowerment. HOWEVER, I got a good vibe from my kind bus-neighbors this morning and I wish them the very best.
