I would just like to start with a comment. I did not realize how big of an issue Racism is in the south. The African-American population here definitely do not like it when to white boys knock on their door. Then they get even madder when we try to talk to them about Christ. It is insane. But, I just choose to love them with all my heart and afterward I feel sorry for them. I feel sorry that they cannot open their hearts to the love of Christ. God doesn't just love his white children. He also doesn't just love his black children. He loves all of us.Anyways, that is my rant for the week. Let us jump in!
Monday: after P-Day ended, we went and visited Giovanna. We haven't heard from her in awhile. She hasn't been responding to our texts or calls. We chatted with her on her doorstep and we talked about how she was feeling... she said that she has lost a lot of the desire to learn more. She isn't reading anymore and she isn't even praying anymore. Very sad day for me. She was one of my first investigators here... and she made a ton of progress. But now she cannot see how having God in her life can help her now. Now we had to consider if we should stop teaching her or not... It was a sad evening.
Tuesday: Two down days in a row. On Tuesday Lucero told us that she was not ready to be baptized. She told us she has too many things in her life that she is not willing to give up yet (Drinking, clubbing, etc)... that hit Elder Judd and me hard. She knows better than that... I saw so much more peace and joy in her life. I knew it was changing her.
Wednesday: Elder Judd and I went out east to marshall to go on splits with Elder Wankier and Elder Teague. I went with Elder Wankier! He is our district leader. We walked for most of the day to save car miles. We only get a certain amount per month. I love splits. It breaks your routine and you get to see how other missionaries work. I have been going on a lot of splits lately with Elders who are almost done! Elder Cox has one more transfer, Elder Crockett had 10 days left and now he leaves tomorrow, Elder Wankier has 22 months, and on Thursday I went on splits with Elder Buford who has 23 months. It is crazy! I have learned a lot from them all. Elder Wankier and I taught a lady named DD. She had a lot of questions about Joseph Smith. Every time I testify and bare witness of Joseph Smith, the spirit hits me so strongly. Each time I share my testimony of him, my testimony of him grows even more. I love it so much.
Thursday: we woke up in Marshall and drove 3 hours west to Dallas for a combined zone conference with half of the mission. President Taylor wanted to tell us the story of him getting called and set apart as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy! Sadly, I will not share the story with you all. He said it was something very sacred and asked that we do not post his story, so in respect to him, I will not share. However, I know that Christ lives and directs this church. President Taylor was called of God. He is an incredible man. After the meeting, we drove 2 and a half hours back to Longview, where like I said, we went on exchanges with Elder Nixon and Elder Buford. I went with Elder Buford and had an amazing time. He told me that I was doing great things and that he could see a lot of great things coming for me. He is the man. Transfers are tomorrow (the 18th). Sadly, Elder Nixon is leaving... but Elder Buford is staying.
Friday: we were still on splits for the first half of the day. At noon, the four of us ate lunch with a member named brother Ball. He is awesome. After lunch, he drove Elder Judd and me to his house. He is a chiropractor and offered to fix our backs up for free. So he did. It felt great!
Saturday: Ramon took us out to lunch at Cici's. It was good! I have not eaten there for a long time. After that, all we did was try and find new investigators. We were trying to clean up our area book a little bit, so a lot of calling and knocking doors. Saturday night we had an amazing lesson with Lucero. We taught about eternal families and temples. We all drew out our life goals. All had one thing in common. We all wanted to have families! Lucero told us that she wanted a husband who loved God and would teach her children about God. After she said that, Elder Judd and I paused for a minute. After a second or two, Elder Judd said in the most loving voice, "Well, you aren't going to find him in the Club." That hit Lucero deep. She sent us a message later that night and told us how bad she felt. She told us that ever since she started meeting with us, she felt something beautiful inside of herself that she can't explain. That is the spirit. I know so. I am so excited for her. She has had a Rollercoaster of a week. We almost thought she was going to stop meeting with us, then she came back. She has felt alone, sad, lost, happy, and peaceful all in one week.Sunday: Happy Easter! church was great, but Latinos don't show up to church. We had 25 people in our congregation. Lucero came though! Besides that, we didn't do much. More cleaning of our area book.
Today: we found out that Elder Nixon AND my companion Elder Judd are being transferred. We still don't know where or who will be my new companion, but for now, I am staying in Longview. Sad to see him go, but he has taught me a lot. He was a great trainer!
That is all! Love you guys!
Elder Bullough
Here are a few pictures! Sorry, there are not more! Elder Judd and I found some Bunny ears in our closet from past missionaries, so we put them on and took a picture. We all get shirts when we arrive in the mission, so I got mine in the mail this week! Also, I already have the famous collar tan line...
Elder Brandon Benjamin Bullough
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