TMM Love Matters All Around

TMM—Love Matters All Around

Jim wanted to write our blog this time, but two weeks later… 

We came home from church two Sundays ago filled with the spirit. All the speakers were inspiring, including Brother Burwell from the stake high council. His talk was about yielding to the Master. He told of going deer hunting in the Texas brush when he heard a herd of wild pigs from his perch in the hunting tower. He waited, still and quiet, above them. As they emerged from the bushes, he set his sights on a medium-sized javelina of about 100 pounds that he thought would be good eating. As they came routing around below him, he pulled back his bow and bagged the wild beast. Texas’ wild pigs have stiff, dark hair and long snouts for digging. Brother Burwell explained that these are the same animals as those much nicer pigs raised by farmers—with a few differences. Domesticated pork donors have shorter noses, lighter hair, and more charming personalities. All because they have a master. The Master makes a difference to all of us.

Attending sacrament meeting in Laredo is an experience that reminds us how turning our lives to the Master changes all of us. Look around. Love is all around us.

Last Tuesday we drove four Sisters to Rio Bravo for their appointments. Two sisters went to find one of our YSAs, but went to the wrong house. They came back to the car, hurrying to get in before the dogs could take their pound of flesh, literally. As we headed out to find the other companionship, the Sisters were mad at themselves for not making an appointment at the “wrong house.” The man sitting outside of his trailer had said off-handedly that he would like them to teach him. The Sisters asked if we could go back and leave him a pamphlet. Elder Flanagan went up with them. It was dark. There were packs of dogs barking. The man was sitting outside with no shirt on, AND our Sisters are pretty cute. They talked to Johnny for a few minutes and came back with an appointment to teach him the next day. The appointment had to be changed to Thursday, and we couldn’t go, so a sister from the stake went with them. Johnny’s baptismal date is December 21! Jim and Cam went back with the Sisters to teach him. Cam LOVED that! Johnny had lived in Twin Falls and had talked with our YSA who lived next door. He was determined to buy Sunday clothes to go to church and cover his tattoos from his younger, wilder days, he says. (Most people at church DO have tattoos, including the sister who helped teach.) Now, do you really think it was an accident that we dropped those beautiful, determined young missionaries at the wrong house?

We love the holidays here in south Texas! Palm trees sway. People’s hearts soften. The Spirit is strong. We are so grateful for all of you, our call to the Texas-McAllen Mission, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Happy Thanksgiving!