Right before I left home someone told me an analogy of what missions are like. "Missions are like a rose bush. From a distance it looks beautiful, but then you go and grab the thorned stem. When you go home you see the beautiful rose bush again and look back at all the amazing memories and experiences!
I see this analogy in action now! I have been gone for 55 day! How crazy is that! Now I haven't quite felt the thorns pinch, but that must be because I have been too distracted smelling the great rose..🥀🌷⚘🥀🌷⚘Hevenly Father is a God of perfection and glorious miracles! He is constantly leading us to those whom He has prepared to hear His gospel and leading them to us.
Can I just say that going on a mission is one of the best decisions I have ever made! Missionary work is hard and it is scary, but I love it. I love it, because I love my God and his gospel. Each of His children deserves to know of the plan that He has for each of US! This week has been a wonderful, but difficult for me!
On Wednesday night we had planned an exciting lesson for 10 year old twins (Kameron and Kollin), whom we refer to as the devils children. Know first that we love these kids, but they are very difficult to deal with. They are obsessed with Fortnight (a videogame that I had never heard of before), and have very sort attention spans. Their single father Kris, is an inactive member, and wants his kids to be baptized. Part of the lesson we planned involed a big cake that we had made for them. But at the very last minute the lesson was cancelled. We had a cake and we did not know what to do with it, so we prayed, and asked what to do with it.🎂🍰 We decided to ask the bishop if he knew of anybody who might be in need of a cake. He asked if he could think about it. About 30 minutes later he called and he said that the Baldwin family could use some extra love. So we knocked on the Baldwin's door (we knew nothing at all about this family). A young man answered and I said "hi! Are you the Baldwin's? We have a cake for you", He stared to cry and invited us in. We met Kendall, he returned home for his mission in South America 5 years ago. Adjusting back to life was very hard, and soon after he went inactive from the Church, his fiance left him, he got kicked out of his parents home, and he decided to commit suicide. So he has spent the last few months in a hospital, and had just gotten home the night before. He told us of his desires to change, and how he had been praying for help and direction. We talked to him for about an hour, and as we were leaving he asked if we could get him a Preach My Gospel book for him to study, and if we would meet with him on Sunday. He came to church for the first time in a long time, and we sat down with him again in a classroom in the Church. He asked us if we would teach him the lessons over time; we told him that we would do anything we could for him. Then he asked for a blessing to help him have comfort and strength to endure to the end.
I have had the privilege of giving many blessings to those in need here, and my testimony continues to grow. I remember that I have needed blessings many times throughout my life and I am so greatful to have people in my life who hold and magnify the priesthood calling. The Priesthood power the literal power of God! Through this power all things can be done!
On Saturday, Nicttorrio got baptized. That's all I want to say about it...😋
We also dedicated the Aldernegros home.
Saturday night we had planned an awesome church tour with two other elders. All together we invited over 50 people... and not one showed up. We were all sad and discouraged. We waited and waited for someone to come for 20 minutes, and after that we stared to clean up. Right as we were about to walk out of the building we got a phone call. Nathan called and wanted to know if it was too late to give him a tour. We said NO! And he said "good, cause I just pulled up"! We rejoiced!! We quickly set up our tour and it was AMAZING! The Spirit was so strong. Nathan Huber was the only one in his family who didn't get baptized last week, and in secret he has asked that we teach him. He didn't even believe in God, or know who Jesus Christ is! Well.. now he does! We are going to ask him to be baptized this week! So the tour work out and afterwards we celebrated by dancing to hymns in the chapel..not very reverent but it was awesome!
On Sunday both of our fast and testimony meetings were AMAZING! Everybody was talking about missionary work and their own conversions! It was perfect for our new converts and investigators. Olabodè, Mark, Travis, and Keenan all got the Aaronic priesthood and that was a powerful experience to be witness!
After church we went to the Moffats house for a late lunch on fast sunday😎
Steak and potatoes is the food everyone feeds us! I love it!
I love you all so much
Elder Hall
