That one time I held a bottle of Vodka....

You all remember our investigator, Dave, right? The one that was super drunk

 the first time we met him? Of course you do, I talk about him like every week. 

Well, he had sort of a relapse this week. Actually, he had like three relapses. BUT

 THAT'S OK BECAUSE WE HAVE THE ATONEMENT FOR A REASON! But

 the story is a great one. So here I go.

Earlier this week, I was on exchanges in my area with Sister Hernandez. We had
 an appointment scheduled with Dave and Michelle for that afternoon at 2, but he
called and said he had to cancel for a doctor's appointment. So we did some other
 stuff and then started walking down the street, when I look over and who comes
of out the liquor store? Dave. My goodness gracious, I about peed myself. 

I yelled, "Dave!" He looked around, trying to figure out where the voice came from,
 and then I yelled his name again. This time, he saw me, and tried to hide the bag
 behind his back, as if I didn't see him walking out of the liquor store. 

I marched up to him and said, "Give that to me." 

He hung his had and handed me the bag, and then looked at me all confused and said,
"Hey, you give that back!." 

"No way, Jose," I said. "I'm going to pour this out right here, how much did you spend
 on it anyways?" 

"Ten bucks," he said. "No, don't pour it on the sidewalk, that's a waste. But I don't want
 Michelle to see it, either." 

"Where is Michelle?" I said. 

"At home in the pool," he said. 

"Alright, well let's go show her what you got!" I said, and then we walked him to his house,
 which is literally right behind the liquor store. Convenient, I know. I walked in the front
 door and into the back yard, holding this bottle of vodka and yelled, "Michelle! I brought you something!" 

She climbs out of the pool and into the house and looks at Dave and says, "David! Aw,
come on." 

"I'm pouring this down the drain," I said, but Michelle asked me to let Dave do it. No way
 was I going to let him do it on his own, so I held the bottle over the sink, waiting for him
 to come pour it down the drain with me. He puts his hand on the bottle and pulls it to his
 lips like he's going to take one last drink before we pour it. 

"Oh no you don't," I said, and pulled the bottle down, placed his hand over mine, and we
 poured that whole bottle of vodka down the drain. It was glorious. 

Needless to say, this week has been rough. When someone has an addiction, they can't just
 overcome it right there. It takes a lot of work and support, and effort on their part to accept
 that the Savior really can help them and that's what the enabling power of the atonement is
 for. So we're working hard with them and we will never ever give up. They need this gospel
 so much and I can just see them being sealed in the temple some day. 

Other than that, this week has been pretty slow. Because it's summer, everyone is out of
town, so it's hard to meet with our less active members and finding new people to teach is
super hard. Especially because it's hotter than Hades outside, so there's no one to street
contact and people get suuuuper upset when they open their door and we're standing there
all sweaty and crap. It's great haha. 

This work is so. Hard. And we can't do heaven's work without heaven's power. So It's been
 a week full of praying and praying and praying, because I can't do this without the Lord'
 help. It's His work, and it will happen how He wants it to. 

I love you all so much and I'm extremely grateful for those of you who email me and send
 me letters and stuff. Emily, you're slacking. But I still love you. 

Loveeeeee,

Sister Pipkin

P.S. here's a photo of me and my baby. Sorry it's blurry and sorry it's the only one, but oh well.