This week was so hectic but it was so good! On Tuesday we had Zone Conference and it was so sad. It was a ton of fun seeing everyone and what-not but it really hit me that it was my last one. It was even more sad because it was the Seitz’ last Zone Conference too so everybody was sad. Then it came time for all the departing missionaries to bear their testimony. I’ve been dreading this day for months just because it would be my last Zone Conference. I got a bit choked up but I didn’t cry during my testimony
As soon as I sat down and President and Sister Seitz started talking, I burst into tears. It all just hit me so hard. I’ll never have one of these ever again. President and Sister Seitz were both crying too and it was just so sad! For the closing Hymn Sister Seitz asked us to stand as we sang, and of course we sung “God Be With you Til We Meet Again”. I don’t even know how much I actually sang; I had tears streaming down my face. President and Sister Seitz were crying too during the song and it was just heartbreaking. Once the meeting ended I gained most of my composure and went up to talk to the Seitz’. I gave them both a hug and when I hugged Sister Seitz I said, “I don’t wanna go home” and immediately burst into tears again. I’m definitely excited to go home and see my family and everything but it’s just really sad thinking about leaving all this behind. Everything I’ve done everyday for 2 years of my life just ends and I’ll never do it again. I hate change and goodbyes and I was feeling so many mixed emotions.
That night we did some street contacting and knocked a few doors. We walked past this couple sitting in their garage so we went up and talked to them. Their names were Dolores Jose (goes by Lolo) and his wife Agostina. Lolo works at the apartment complex that Elder Allgaier and Elder Thompson live at so he’s seen a lot of different missionaries but hasn’t talked to them. It was a really good chat! I shared Helaman 5:12 with them and then explained a little bit about how we all have our own storms and trials in our lives but we have strength and support through Christ. I didn’t notice at first but Agostina was crying. She thanked us and said she loved what I said. She called me “mijo”-which basically means my son, or my child and usually only say that to close family and friends-and while still crying asked me for a hug. She kept apologizing for being emotional but said I reminded her of her grandson haha. I’m sure the spiritual message and a hug helped her a lot but I definitely needed it too after today.
On Wednesday the other Elders in the branch had a baptism for the friend Angel! It was actually a super cool miracle. If you remember from my past emails we have been teaching Abñer who has been taught everything but is waiting to feel ready to accept a baptismal date. We invited him to Angel’s baptism in hopes that it’ll help push him towards accepting baptism. He said he would be late and couldn’t come til like 7:30 which sucked because we knew Angel would probably already be baptized by then. However, Angel’s truck broke down on his way to the church. So our Elder’s quorum president had to go pick him up so we didn’t start until 7:30! Abñer came before we started and was able to be there for the whole time! God sure works in mysterious ways. We knew Angel’s truck needed to break down in order for Abñer to come to the baptism. Crazy miracle!!
On Thursday we went down to Allen to do some finding. We went to an apartment complex we usually go to down there but didn’t have any luck. We decided to go to this one neighborhood and knock a few doors. It was honestly really tough. Allen doesn’t have a big Hispanic population so it was basically just white people answering the door and then getting mad at us. But we knocked an older dude’s house who wasn’t interested but we asked if he knew anyone in the neighborhood that spoke Spanish. He directed us to one house a few doors down so we went straight there. We knocked and could see a man and his wife who saw us and didn’t know who should answer the door or what to say lol. But the woman answered the door and then told us her husband was a pastor and stuff but thankfullly it didn’t turn into a bash. She was overall pretty nice and was impressed when we asked her if anyone in the neighborhood spoke Spanish that we could talk to. She is from Nicaragua I think. But she gave us one other house so we decided to knock it and head back to McKinney afterwards.
We knocked on the door and this big dude probably 6’4″ answered the door. He looked white cause his skin was lighter and he had blue eyes, but as soon as he saw us he immediatly invited us in and only spoke Spanish. He is from Chihuahua Mexico and indeed doesn’t speak a ton of English. There is a pretty big LDS population in Chihuahua so he had talked with quite a few members and missionaries too before. He was so happy to see us it was sick! It was funny cause he knew we didn’t drink coffee and talked to us a bit about that. He knew we didn’t drink coffee but he hadn’t heard about Joseph Smith somehow lol. But it was crazy that we caught him because he doesn’t even live there. He was house-sitting for a few days and actually lives in McKinney! Before we could do anything he asked us for a card so he could write down his number and address and everything. It was so cool! He said when he’s done house-sitting he wants us to come over and they’ll make us food!! He basically found himself and gave us his info before we said anything, it was so funny. He was a truck driver and knows the states pretty well. He also used to weigh like 450 and lost at least 150 lbs. He got in some accident and they told him he would never be able to walk but he pushed himself and now he can walk! He needs a walker but the fact that he can stand and walk is crazy.
On Friday we had a member call us and asked if we could give a blessing as soon as possible. We finished lunch and went over to his house. We walked in his apartment and it was just him. He had us sit down and basically gave us a run down of the last few months. He had a divorce but I’m not sure how long ago. He still wears his wedding ring and his kids don’t live with him. He explained that he has been super depressed and doesn’t have any energy to do anything. It was super sad. He was crying and explaining how he felt completely alone and he did know what to do. He has thought about calling us multiple times but he just didn’t have the energy or willpower to call us. Finally he did and knew he needed God’s help. He talked about just not feeling worthy to pray and stuff. It was so sad. He feels like he doesn’t have any support with the members in the branch so he didn’t want us telling them that we stopped by. It was all just a really sad situation. But we gave him a blessing and it was really good. We’re gonna go back sometime next week and see how he’s feeling.
That night we were knocking a few doors and I felt like we needed to knock this specific door. We knocked and these 2 dudes Juan and James opened the door and looked surprised. They were like, “we were literally just talking about God” They’re 24 and 22 years old and we talked to them a good while about the BOM and it was sick! They were super impressed that we’re on missions and stuff and asked a ton of questions. We read Helaman 5:12 with them too and they loved it. We gave them a BOM and they wanted us to come back. So that was really cool.
We had a super busy week! We have been working super hard and it definitely feels super good. I wanna give it my all these last few weeks. Here’s a quote I love from President Nelson, “Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Sorry my emails have been less spiritual lately, I’ll try to spend more time next week! I love you all! Muchos besos! And remember, God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!! 
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All my love,
Elder Grubbs
