I just wanna start off this email by expressing my sincere gratitude for you all. Many reached out to me and offered friendship and support and it helped me so much this week. I’m truly grateful for you all and all of the emails and support you give me. Every thought and prayer for me I have felt and I am truly grateful.
This week started off with some Spanish practice! I went to a lesson with a solid amigo (can’t call them investigators anymore) whose baptism is set for December 11th. I understood most of it and it was good preparation for Zone conference because I had
After zone conference, we met some pretty cool people. We talked to this one lady with a super cute dog that’s 6 months old. He’s a pit bull mix and he was so playful and then laid in my lap. But she was awesome and wanted to meet again
We also met Greg who was super cool and he wanted a book of Mormon and everything right then and there. He said he’s gone through a lot and spent time in jail and lost his wife and daughter and doesn’t have contact with them. He’s been trying to find work so that he can support himself and he wants to change. He said I was just praying for help and was super happy to see us. We talked with him and promised that he would see blessings through daily prayer and it was a super cool experience.
After all those amazing things, there was a not so amazing night… We had a lesson with Shalonda lined up and we had Sister Ault and her 16-year-old son Isaac coming with us. Shalonda has been super awesome and open with us. When we went over, she said she would be home soon so we ended up waiting an hour outside her house. When she finally came home, her mom was with her. Her mom was always super strict with her children about going to church and knew the Bible inside and out. Needless to say, we knew it wasn’t going to be a good lesson. She kept bashing us saying how we’re wrong and how Joseph Smith wasn’t a revelator because Christ was the only revelator and it was just bad. It was so contentious and I just wanted everyone to stop. Sister Ault was super good about everything and helped explain things as best she could. It was a huge blessing to have her there. When Sister Ault drove us home I didn’t say a word. They were all talking about what had happened and what to do, but I just sat there deep in thought. I have grown pretty close with the Ault family and Sister Ault has always been with us when we need her. Sitting in the car I realized it wasn’t just the lesson that was upsetting to me. But that Sister Ault reminded me so much of my mom. Sister Ault was always ready to give us a ride or dinner or reach out to someone or go to lessons with us whenever we needed. She has a strong testimony and wasn’t afraid to declare it. She’s such a spiritual giant and it’s obvious. When I was getting out of the car she said, “you’re ofly quiet Grubbs, are you okay?”. Naturally, I just said, “yeah I’m good just tired”. But I just wanted a hug more than anything. Contrary to the societal views that real men don’t cry, I got in the apartment and went straight to the shower and cried. I missed my mom more than I ever have and it was killing me. But I soon realized that the best thing I could be doing for my mom and the rest of my family, is being out here. That experience helped me understand my role as a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that being on a mission will bless my family more than I’ll know and it gives me so much motivation and determination to have a better attitude and Preach the heck out of Paris Texas!!!
Another miracle this week. We found this Hispanic family and later found out they were the most catholic Catholics I have ever met in my life. We walked inside and they had us wait on the couch while they finished a prayer to Virgin Mary with their shrine and prayer beads. We were super nervous but the lesson went good and we just talked about faith and prayer. We went back Sunday for a follow-up lesson and it was the coolest Spanish lesson of my mission. I didn’t understand as much this time but I felt the spirit. They had their 4 kids all on the couch listening intently to us and it was so amazing. I could tell they felt the spirit too. After the lesson, I felt impressed to bear my testimony even though I was super nervous and don’t know my Spanish very well. I bore my testimony and I almost started to tear up because the spirit was so strong. I had a few errors in my conjugation and wording but they knew what I meant. Even though I didn’t say it perfectly, I know they felt the power of the spirit in my words. The mother even said, “Gracias por tú bonitas palabras” or something like that. Which means “thank you for your beautiful words”.
The spirit was so strong that night. It made me realize the true blessing it is to be a missionary. I often get discouraged and down because it can be pretty hard being a missionary. But this experience helped remind me of the joy and blessing it is to be a missionary. I love this gospel so much and I’m truly grateful to be teaching the people of Paris Texas.
My testimony grows every single day no matter the circumstances. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer of the world. Because of his great sacrifice, we all have the opportunity to repent and be perfected in him. We can overcome sin and become clean. I want you all to know that I love this gospel and love my Heavenly Father. My invitation to you all is to strive to talk with your Heavenly Father every day. I promise you, just like Greg, that as you talk with him every day, you will see a difference in your life. You are a child of God and his love for you is unconditional no matter the choices you make. He loved you infinitely. I pray for you all constantly and appreciate the love and support you give me as well. Muchos Besos!! And remember, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!
Love,
Elder Grubbs
