Week 31: Squirrels are food, not friends.

Whoever said squirrels are cute and aren't scary are SO WRONG! They've never had a terrified squirrel run right for them! It's quite the adrenaline rush. So our friend Brandi in the branch has a hair salon and we asked if we could do some service for her at the shop. She said yes, so we went by friday to pick up the key to her shop so we can sweep and mop Saturday and she tells is theres a squirrel in her shop that loves the Christmas tree right by the front door! So of course me being me tells Brandi that not only will we sweep and mop but we'll attempt to help catch the squirrel...so much for that haha. Saturday comes around and we head the the shop. I unlock the door and step in and all the sudden I see the Christmas tree rattling. I immediately think "oh shoot." And all the sudden this wide-eyed little fur ball jumps out of the tree and on the wall!! Sister Johnson gets in and the squirrel is climbing behind the door, then gets on top of the door, THEN FALLS, and runs RIGHT FOR US! So we did the only sensible thing! We screamed! Screams of absolute terror! Well, we didn't see the squirrel after that, he sprinted to the cabinet and we never saw him again. But! We did get a text from Brandi yesterday saying we may be having squirrel for dinner! Sounds like someone finally caught him. welcome to the South!

This week was just amazing. We played Kickball on Wednesday for pday with the Waldrops and some other members of the branch and boy! It got intense. Let's just say all the adults (Including us missionaries) were pretty sore from the game...worth it! It was a lot of fun! But the most incredible thing happened after kickball.

Most of you know Will. He's been home this whole week before he goes back to the rig today, so you already know where we were each night this week! The progress Will has made has been incredible. Wednesday after kickball, we went over to finish off pday and have a lesson. We read Alma 36 with Will and man. I wish yall could've been there. The Spirit that filled that room was undeniable. It was a burning in my chest. As we testified of Jesus Christ and the Atonement He made, as I told Will how his boys came to trust God and Jesus Christ by being baptized, and as I expressed the love I have for him but more importantly the love God has for him, the Spirit just radiated. We went over last night and the same thing. We addressed his concerns, and as we testified, I had a burning in my chest. The Holy Ghost was testifying of the truthfulness of our words! And Will recognized it! He knew the gospel was true! He felt the Spirit bear witness of the truthfulness of the gospel! When I say that was the best night of my mission, I'm not just saying that. This week I've realized how much I love the Waldrop clan, including Will! All I want for them is the most joy our Heavenly Father has to offer them, and I know its through this gospel. My desire for Will to be baptized comes from my love for him and his family. Hes not a baptisimal statistic, not a name I get to write in my PMG, but a person I love and God loves. That's changed everything for me. I love this gospel! Will's really close friends! 

Last week I wrote about how out of tune I felt. I felt like I wasn't receiving any revelation, like the Heavens were closed to me. I had no idea what people needed, what I needed! But let me tell you, Heavenly Father is always talking to us. I've realized that this week. Ether 12:6 says we recieve no witness until after the trial of our faith. Well, I had that trial of faith for sure last week and God answerd me! He answers you! God is a god of light, of truth, of knowledge. He doesn't leave us confused, He doesn't leave us lost. Sometimes He'll let us struggle a little, but that doesn't mean He abandons us. He answers our prayers, He walks with us, He helps us in every aspect. Heavenly Father loves us, He loves YOU! 

This week marked 7 months on my mission. It's going ridiculously fast. It's been so hard. But seeing people come to know the truthfulness of this gospel is so worth it. I love this work, I love this gospel. I love Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father with my whole soul. I love yall!!

Love, Sister Crouch

1&2. Kickball!!!!

3. Please enjoy the video of our squirrel encounter.