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October 20, 2008
To My Family,
Sorry I wasn't able to write last week, it was pretty busy. I was able to go to Walmart today and copy all my pictures and stupid videos to some CDs and they should be ready in a few days. So you should be getting them by the end of this week or early next. Last week was really hard, we weren't able to find any new investigators and we had to drop about 3 people, one of them being Johnathan, the ex-drug lord. He told us he had to "take care of business and that we wouldn't be able to come over anymore for now. A lot of slammed doors and a lot of anti-Mormons came our way.
Last Wednesday was the hardest day of my life. All day we heard nothing but searing, rude gestures, and slammed doors. All of our appointments for the day were blown off and a new investigator that we tired to see told us, "I've read the Book of Mormon, it's false and so are you! Go back home, you're wasting your time!"
Feeling worthless and lower than ever, my companion and I walked back to the apartment for the night. Once we got inside I pretty much broke down into tears, my companion asking why I was down I replied, "How could the people show such acts of cruelty towards us, I wanted to teach them because they need to hear and I cared for them!" My companion replied, "Elder Holmes that's what it feels like to love and care for the people." And he was right, it was something that I never knew I thought I would feel, to care for complete strangers. He then gave me a blessing and I stood up with strength and rejoiced! The blessing he gave me helped me realize these times are indeed hard, we must overcome them. Satan throws all he has at us everyday and in the end we always stand taller and look at how far we've come.
I'm still trying to get used to the sleeping schedule. I wake up about 4 to 5 times every night and it's hard to study in the morning. Last night I prayed that I may be able to get some sleep! This morning I woke up feeling better than ever!
We are getting fed well and the members are pretty cool. Next week we have the chili cook off and the trunk or treat, it's going to be a lot of fun.
I've really enjoyed your letter to me and how you all have been doing each week. I've enjoyed your stories from when you were on your mission dad, it's funny to see how similar we really are! This week is Zone Conference and we get to go to the Susquehanna River and be in the spot where Joseph Smith lived and where he received the priesthood! It's definitely going to be a freakin awesome experience!
I hope that you have been enjoying my bed Adam, and no picture this week! What the heck man, if I could poke you I would! It's nice to hear that you are having fun playing catch, maybe you can get into baseball.
Mom, it's awesome that you got clip shoes, the next Mrs. Armstrong? hahaha. The area I'm in has awesome hills, very steep and can go about 35 mph down it! I would never thought I'd say this but I actually miss hearing "My Stinky D" hahaha!
I'm doing a lot better now and am working hard, I love and pray for you every night.
Love your son, your missionary!
Elder Devin Holmes
It is so hard to deal with rejection on your mission, especially when you care for the people. Devin L. has truly learned to love the people and it hurts when they don't want to listen to your message. It is so great to see him grow so much.
Copyright © 2008 Devin Holmes