Hello everyone!! I hope y’all had a FANTASTIC week!! This week went by faster than last week but not by much. Not much happened but I’ll try my best to share the experiences I had that were enjoyable.
Thursday we had dinner at the Murdocks and after we ate they asked us if we wanted to feed their baby cows and were like “heck yeah!”. We would never turn that down. So we got to bottle feed them and it was so fun. They’re so cute I love them.
Then Saturday we went to Barbs to roll out some more hay and even though it’s a ton of work I always enjoy being w the animals after we’re done. It’s nice to get away from everything and just enjoy the quiet and the cows and horse.
That night we had a super awesome lesson with Courtney. She was drinking wine and smoking the whole time but it was a good lesson nonetheless. She committed to coming to church and it was funny because she said she’d only come if I sat next to her. She didnt care about the other Elders, but I had to sit next to her
 it was kinda funny. But at the end of the lesson she said some things I really needed to hear.Â
Often times as a missionary you don’t always see the fruits of your labors. It can be pretty discouraging when you’re working so hard and nobody wants to be baptized or change. Especially out here in Texas because a lot of people don’t baptize anyone their whole mission. Anyways, that day I was getting pretty down on myself and it was just a rough week and I was just trying to distract myself from my thoughts. Courtney told me that she didn’t know what it was but there’s something about me that she connects with. She said that I always know what to say and it always comforts her. She has told me a lot about her situations and things she’s going through and I try my best to share a scripture that relates but often times I felt like I didn’t help her at all. But she said I always share a verse that helps her. Then she said, “I just want you to know that you’ve made a big impact on me. I’m sure you’ve helped people and don’t always know it. So I want you to know that you’ve impacted me a lot”. It meant so much to me to hear that. I’m a pretty sensitive person and so I get attached to people and get so emotionally evolved with the people we teach. So to hear that my hard work and dedication toward loving others paid off. It was a tender mercy for sure.Â
During the lesson with Courtney, bro Colvin called us but obviously we didn’t answer. So we called him back after the lesson and he then said, “I bought some more dove chocolate” in a British accent. It was so funny. Then we’re like, “cool, is there like anything we can do for you or…” and he’s like “nah I just wanted to let you know I got more chocolate.” So we’re like, “awesome thanks” and then he said bye and hung up. It was just so random and funny.
This week I’ve felt so strongly about the book of Mormon. I didn’t have any specific experience or anything that happened, but I’ve just felt this overwhelming love for the book of Mormon. Anytime I talk about it with the people we’re teaching I feel so passionate about it and I just know it’s true. The book of Mormon makes me so happy and its truly amazing the difference it makes when you study it daily. It really can change your life. I didn’t always realize that in high school. My leaders in church would always say to read it and I knew it was true but I didn’t prioritize it like I should have. I remember distinctly a time I was struggling and in stake conference our stake president said that if we read the book of Mormon every single day, it would change our life. I thought that was a pretty bold statement but I took it as a challenge. I can testify that the power of the book of Mormon is real. I have received so many overwhelming feelings of joy and peace while reading. I love the book of Mormon so much and I’m so happy to know with a surety that its the word of God.
I challenge you to think about the blessings you’ve received from reading the book of Mormon. Pray to recognize those blessings. Continue to study the book of Mormon daily and ask Heavenly father to open your eyes and your heart to recognize the power of the book of Mormon. From my own countless experiences, I can promise you that as you study the book of Mormon every single day, it will not only change your life, but make you happier, and feel more connected with our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. I love you all and I’m so grateful for your love and support. I appreciate every single prayer and know that Heavenly Father is blessing me every single day. Muchos Besos! And remember, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!!
Love Elder Grubbs
