Dogs and Milagros

Elder P last pic before transfers. ~ Photo with the wonderful  Nield family who takes great care of the missionaries!

So this week could be summed up as such like unto the last email: "Did you run into a Jehovah's Witness or a Baptist? That eye is pretty bad, son."  The eye got progressively worse and the people always gave me a look like when you see someone seriously injured, disgusted. But it was fun and it helped us get more lessons. I think it hurts the people who see it, more than it actually hurt me.

But on with the story. Elder T's last exchange. He goes home in T-Minus 4 days. It was night and we went to a man that I might have mentioned in a previous email. He has a walking stick, lives in a trailer and has a beard of steel wool. We knocked on the door and immediately heard the barking of not one or two, but six or so dogs. He waddled to the door and looked lethargic and dizzy. He has gone to the hospital many times in the last few weeks and has been very ill, but now he is fine but is on quite a few medications. He invited us in and we were swarmed by the dogs. I tried my best to testify of the veracity of the Book of Mormon but it is a little difficult to do that while a lab is cleaning out the inside of your ear with its tongue. As the lesson went on the man slumped further into the couch and his wife in the other room opened a door releasing 16 puppies. So now at this point there are 21 dogs running around, Elder T, the animal lover, is in heaven, the man we're teaching is probably near there as well at this point, and I realized we should probably set up a return appointment.

We had our first Spanish sacrament meeting as a Spanish group. We have tried and tried to get people to come but no one ever does. Then Saturday night, a preacher of a church just outside of town called us. She wanted to come to church and bring her whole family. We got to church she was there and so was one of our other investigators. The disease of Grandma and my Dad began to act up (crying). I saw this group when it had three people. Yesterday there were 13 of us. It was very special and it made me extremely happy. I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord in our lives, like having your ears cleaned while teaching a lesson. 

I hope all is well and I'm grateful for the prayers you send, they were answered yesterday.

Elder Thomas

He called this "dramatic pic"

This looks exactly like Ian's very first bike when he was 7.

He said, "Eating way too much....

A large Triple Chocolate Shake from Andy's....

And a Roast Beef Sandwich from Arby's.....