Week 30: Hermana Crouch takes on a Dog

The South is slowly making me hate all four-legged critters. Even dogs. Slowly but surely, my love for dogs (other than my own pups) is being driven into the ground. How sad is that?! But hear me out...we almost got attacked by a dog the other day! Thankfully we weren't bit, but we were darn close! It's actually kind of a funny story.

So Sister Johnson and I have branched out. We've been trying to find new people to teach in our good ol small town of Mendenhall and to do that, we've been walking around the neighborhood, talking to people in the streets and faith knocking. Faith knocking is just walking down a street and knocking any door that sticks out to us and seeing what happens. Well, we were walking down a street and all the sudden theres 2 real angry dogs in front of us. They weren't too happy we were so close to their house. So I pulled out my pepper spray just in case and just was holding it in my hand. We didn't feel like getting attacked so we walk around the corner to walk away (they were at a corner house) and guess who came back? But this time they were actually trying to bite and getting super close. Welp, sister Johnson took a huge L. As we're trying not to get bit, this dog gets real close to her and she just EATS IT! She falls flat! And I realized how terrible of a companion I am because I LAUGHED! This dog was bow about 1 foot away from her and I had my pepper spray unlocked and a second before I was going to spray, their owner calls them off! MIRACLES! But yeah it was rough haha. Thankfully their neighbor saw the whole thing and they told us to come in and share our message. MORE MIRACLES. It was just crazy! Safe to say, my love for dogs is just going away real fast.

We've had lots of miracles this week and the Lord has been involved in the details! One miracle happed last night! As most of you know, sister Glenn was the Spanish speaker of the companionship. And before that, it was Sister Strobelt. I picked up on a few things here and there, but I definitely couldn't truly speak it. Well, yesterday one of the Spanish investigators from forever ago calls us! I thought it was someone else and then he asks (in spanish) if we're missionaries and my heart drops because I dont know Spanish! Well, somehow I picked up on just enough to have the Lord make up the difference and I was able to have a full on (choppy and slow) conversation with him. He even wants to meet with us! Not sure if I'll be able to do that, but I'm an English speaking missionary who know knows that the Gift of Tongues is LEGIT. The Lord takes care of His people!

This week has been hard in all honesty. I've had a hard time feeling like the heavens have been open to me. I've had a hard time recognizing and receiving revelation from God. And I need it so much! It's made me a little discouraged honestly. Missionary work is hard. It stretches you spiritually and mentally and emotionally. There are trials all the time, external or internal. People reject you, people are stubborn, people know the truth but wont act on it. It can suck sometimes. But I shared this scripture with someone this week and its been what's given me strength this week. 3 Nephi 27:14 says "And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father..." Christ is the reason missionary work isnt impossible! He's the reason life with hope IS possible! Hes able to lift us when we fall or when we're down because men lifted Him. Because our sins and sorrows lifted Him upon the cross and He willing partook of the bitter cup. I'm so grateful He did. Without Him, life wouldn't be full of joy, even with all my trials. He's the gift that never stops giving.

I love this gospel so much. I love my Savior Jesus Christ more than I can even express. I am grateful that because of Him we get new chances, 2nd and 3rd and infinite chances! What a beautiful thing to celebrate right after His birth! The gospel is true! I love yall and I pray all yall find the hope and joy of life through Christ. Happy New Year! 

Love,

Sister Crouch

1. Our cute friend Marley let us see her horse Ginger! I'm officially getting a horse when I get home

2. Sister Johnson and I won blankets Christmas day when we played dirty Santa at a member's house! Didn't know that was a game, but at least we wont something good!

3. New Years Eve with some of our favorite members!

4. You know, just getting soaked out here in Mississippi

5. The Fam.

6. No one I'd rather kick off this new year with