Another great week!

Hey Yall!

So this week was another great week in Highland Home! Im feeling more and more like a missionary every day. And not just a regular missionary but I feel like im becoming better and better at missionary work each day. Its a lot of hard work, but at the same time I realize what we really do. We sit and talk to people all day.... That should not be tiring at all right? I think it shouldnt, but im the most tired ive been all my life haha Its a good kind of tired:) haha just a random little thought.

My district haha So this week was just like the other weeks. It seems like there is not much to my week and I dont have any cool experiences at first, but then I look back on each day and I can see all the things that really happened. Sometimes we all feel like our days are all alike, but when we look back, and we are trying to make each day great and serve then we will see the little blessings of each day! It started off with Zone Conference on Tuesday. There were 2 zones there. Man that conference was so amazing! It was the last zone conference Prez. Holtzapfel will do down in the Montgomery Stake. And he did amazing! It really got me thinking on my mission so far and the things Ive been good at and the things ive slacked on and need to work on. Which is great! Because thats how you become a better person and missionary is working on your weaknesses. "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." -Ether 12:27. We always need to be humble and improve ourselves to become more like Christ. And he also talked alot about our purpose as a missionary. You can find a missionary's purpose in preach my gospel, but there are 2 important words in it. Invite and Help. As a missionary we dont just go and give a spiritual lesson. That is good but the best thing to do is to give a lesson or share a scripture and invite people to act to improve there lives. Every time we see someone we need to always invite them to be better. With that invitation we can ask them if we can do anything to help them improve or to help them in there every day lives. We need to look for service opportunities! Those 2 things are what missionaries need to be doing:) That is the main lesson I learned from the conference but it was just so amazing!

If any of yall ever get a chance to learn from or hear from President Holtzapfel take advantage of that opportunity! He is such an inspired man and gives such great talks! I love him so much and will miss him! He goes home this June. He is going back to Utah to teach at BYU again.

After the conference we were going to do an exchange. So me and Elder Kelley came back to Highland Home. We worked here on the exchange for 2 days! It was so great! Not only was I able to learn from him, since he is going home this transfer, but me and him were able to get along so well! He is from Detroit and is black and man I swear him and Isaiah are twins! They just look so similar haha jk not because they are both black but they both talk alike and they both have the exact same personalities! Its so dang crazy! It felt like I was back with Isaiah for a moment haha but yes Isaiah is better cuz he's my bro haha. But those 2 days I had to plan out myself and I was basically the Sr. Comp. It was fun and weird at the same time cuz ive never had that chance before. We were able to follow the spirit as well and because of that we were able to give a man a blessing that he really needed. I love following little promptings and being able to have a great outcome:)

Our B-day party decorating. Everyone said that we should start a business cuz of how good we made the whole party turn out haha. We were able to help a man named James build an add on to his house! That was really fun! We were just helping him frame the walls but it was a learning experience! And on Saturday we got to go to a little girls, Olivia, birthday! I dont know if I told you about Diana, she is the one that cut my hair, but its her daughter. Diana is a recent convert and is so amazing! She is the convert that every missionary wants! Haha we were able to help her set everything up and decorate then play with the kids as well as talk to Dianas sisters, mom, aunt and uncle who are all non members. It was the funnest missionary work ive done haha.

One really cool experience was Sunday. So not yesterday but the Sunday before that a man in the Elder Quorum came up and asked if I would give the lesson in priesthood next week. I told him yes like always. Then I realized that next week it was my turn to give the lesson for Gospel Principles! Haha so throughout the week I actually only read each lesson once. Like all of yall know im horrible at preparing lessons and talks. I was going to read them both again Sunday morning but didnt get the chance. So Sunday came and the amazing thing was that not only was I able to teach both classes, but they had to tell me it was time to go in each of them. I was able to teach the full time and for me that was amazing because I usually end my lesson and we have like 15-20 minutes left haha. But not only that, I felt like I am learning and growing as a teacher as well. I was able to involve and ask questions to get other involved in the lesson. I was able to relate everything to them and I thought that both classes went well. I know that is an answer to my prayers! I couldnt have done that without the Holy Ghost being with me to put thoughts into my head. I had read the lessons and thought about them all week and because of that the Spirit was able to tell me what to say! It was pretty cool to see that little miracle!

But I just love my mission! Every day I get to go out and help people and bring a smile to their face! Its the most spiritual and fun thing ive ever been apart of! I know that this gospel is true! I know that Christ is our savior! And I want to invite all of you to do something this week. I want yall to pray and look for an opportunity to help someone. To make thier day better. You can talk to them, give them a hug, take out the trash, pull weeds, anything to help someone else be happy and to see them smile. I know that if you do this you will have more peace in your life. That you will be able not only to help someone else but you will be able to help yourself through what ever you may be going through. I love yall so so much! I hope you have a great week! I hope yall are happy this week!! Keep being the great Latter Day SAINTS that you are!

Love Elder Hall