Blood On My Hands 5/20/19

This week was probably one of the best weeks yet! On Monday, We had our Preparation Day, and in the evening, we got a message from a member named Sergio that we needed to come over immediately. We came and walked in and there was a lady with tears in her eyes standing in his living room. She told us that Sergio was a friend since childhood and she felt like she needed to come here. Her name is Kalee, and she went on by saying that her and her daughter were just kicked out of her house in Lubbock, which ended an abusive 8-year relationship. Her mother lives in Hereford, which is my area. As we testified of the truthfulness of the Restored gospel, she wept, and said that there is a reason why we met that night. It was truly one of the most spiritual experiences on my mission so far.

We were trying by former people being taught, and felt like we should go visit this family. We drove by and got out of the car, but as soon as we did, the mother was frantically trying to get her kids inside! Some of the neighbor kids were playing basketball in the front yard. I told them that I was going to make it first try. Of course I did, and my companion knocked on the door. They saw that we were real people, and had an amazing discussion! The spirit was so strong! As we were talking, more and more family members gathered around us and we had a wonderful talk about our purpose. After the discussion, one of the boys said he could take me in basketball. I feel bad for him that all of his family and friends got to see him get destroyed by a skinny white missionary. Oh well..

On Saturday morning, a member invited us up to his farm to brand and castrate his cows. These were young calves about 4 feet tall, and we wrestled them to the ground as Bro. Gudgell branded them. The smell wasn't great, to be honest. While we were holding the first calf down, he castrated him and threw the slimy thing on my hand! It was pretty gnarly!

Last night, JoAnna Zepeda, the mother of the kids we baptized, told us to come over quick. We got to her apartment and found that her friend from jail was there and she had a Book of Mormon in her hand. She said that she was a devote Catholic, and while she was praying at the feet of the Jesus statue, the Lord directed her to JoAnna. As we were giving her a lesson and sharing our testimonies, she said that what we were sharing felt right. She asked permission to mark the Book of Mormon and we said of course. She was so attentive and marking scriptures and looking through the book with so much interest. Her name is Tammy, and she is amazing!

I love y'all and hope you have a great week!

-Elder Robins