One BIG Family with Many Faiths

Its only been a week since all of us REU students and the other researchers have been together and already we feel and act like a giant family. We respect each other so much and truly care about each other.

We have a new tradition that we plan on doing each week.... Family Night. This week's family night was making Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Lasagna. It was quite the experience. We didn't eat until 11 pm but we laughed the entire time. Either we were helping cook and set the table or we were sitting outside talking with the others. The noodles were under cooked and the sauce was spicy but it was fun to sit around the table with all 12 of us and laugh and talk about our lives. 

This past Friday I was heading to the computer lab to do some studies when I overheard Ava and Tanner and Jenny talking about the story of Lot. I walked through and I joined in there conversation. Ava is Muslim, Jenny is Jewish, Tanner is Non-denominational Christian and myself- Mormon. We wanted to compare the story with our books of scripture. So, we gathered around the kitchen table and opened the Torrah, the Koran, and the Holy Bible. We read the story of Lot from Genesis. As we were sitting there conversing Karlin finished making some food and asked to sit down and join us. She is Christian. The conversation continued and Kathryn came in and saw we had the three books opened and asked to join. Kathryn is still deciding what she believes but was raised Methodist. Eventually Emmanuel, who's Catholic, came in followed by Jonathan, who is Christian, to join in our discussion. There were 9 of us present all of different faiths and the question was asked, "Why are we as humans naturally good? Why are we born and we don't desire to do evil?" Everyone gave input to what they believe. It was great discussion and I am grateful for that experience. There are so many different backgrounds and I just realized how open my generation is to learning. We weren't trying to shove our ideals or attack anyone's beliefs but rather to learn about them.

After the discussion had dwindled my friend, Ava, turned to me and stoutly said, "Tyler, I've only met two Mormons in my life and you are one of them. You both have been the nicest people I've met, I've got to know more about your faith!" I spent the next 45 minutes explaining the basic beliefs to them. It was quite the experience. It was a challenge explaining to them much about Christ because they don't believe in Him. It was a great experience also.

So, the challenge I think we are all given is found in 1 Tim 4:12 "Let no man despise thy you; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." You never know who's watching, live what you believe!

I truly love my BIG family here in Puerto Rico and our Many faiths!