Week 41: Anyone Can Cook (or bake)

August 21, 2023

Week 41: Anyone Can Cook (or bake)

Hey y'all!

Yes, somehow it's been a week already. It's been a bit of a crazy week (per usual) and I'd be lying if I said I haven't been looking forward to today! Partially just because it's nice to be able to take a break and chill out for a bit, but most because we're headed to San Antonio today! We did some math last week and discovered that we had enough miles to take a trip to go to the Mercado and spend a little time in civilization ha. The Mercado is like a bunch of little shops and booths with all kinds of souvenirs and clothes and...sorta random stuff to be honest. I haven't been before but I've seen a bunch of Elders wearing ponchos that they got there. Pretty funny.

This last Tuesday we had zone conference which is always a treat. I love getting to spend some time with other missionaries when I get the chance. We always have great discussions and lessons from our mission president, and we've had some pretty great breakout sessions that have been put on my other missionaries. All that AND we get food. Not sure what else we could ask for! They also had a break out session where we went over how to change a tire so I got to show off my skills.

Right after conference we had interviews with president which I've always loved. It's really nice getting his point of view and receiving his council. I don't know how he does it, but he somehow knows and cares deeply about all 200+ missionaries under his stewardship. I don't know if I'd ever be able to do what he does.

Anyways, the rest of this week was honestly just tracting and making calls with a little bit of service sprinkled in there. I'm definitely repeating streets at this point, but you gotta do what you gotta do! That's the unfortunate truth of Cotulla. There's just not a lot of streets! Really the tough (and kinda funny) part is when people answer the door when I've been there before. I see a lot of faces and sometimes I can't reallllly remember if I've met a person or not. But for THEM it's pretty easy to recognize and remember two guys in white shirts and ties knocking on their door in the blazing heat. That happens much less often for them! Yeah...it's just a little awkward when you talk to someone like you've never met them before but you can tell that they recognize you. The joys of tracting a small town.

We got to help out at the library this week. We helped move some heavy boxes, organized books, and dusted shelves. Nothing super interesting but it sure beats walking around in 115° weather! We also helped Elder McDowell with some light fixtures in the KOA building that they park their fifth wheel at. It's got a little laundry area and a room with a TV and Foosball table, and all but one of the florescent bulbs had gone out. So we removed the lenses, cleaned them out real good, and replaced the bulbs. That place is a LOT brighter now and I'm sure all the residents will be grateful.

We've been inviting people to church left and right this week as we've gone around, plus we sent out a text to a ton of people with an invite as well. Nobody showed up, but hey at least we got it out there. Maybe next time.

Church was great though! Pretty solid turn out of 29 and we totally could have gotten more. Having a branch is so awesome. We had a sweet meeting and some sweeter cookies afterwards. Also, HEB sells this lemon cake stuff and for some reason it tastes like froot loops. I cannot explain why, but it's true. It's also delicious. Albeit strange. (maybe it's not lemon cake...but it was VERY yellow so I'm not sure what else it could be. Maybe I'm crazy)

That's kinda all I got for this week y'all. Sorry it's not the most eventful week, but really that's just the way it goes. Sometimes life as a missionary is insane and sometimes it's pretty simple and not a lot happens. (We did talk to a man who had been in a gang in Chicago and got stabbed and lost all of his blood but lived somehow. Crazy story. Forgot to mention that) Anyways, I hope y'all have a fantastic week! Make it good.

"Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever."

Jacob 3:1-2

Love,

Elder DeWitt