Loving Alabama!

Hey Yall!

This week again went by so fast! But it was so great!

This was a couple weeks ago but its me and Olivia. She is the cutest little girl! She paints my nails every time I go over and this time she did my eyes too haha but she reminds me of all my little nieces!!:) 

So on Monday we had a Softball game like usual and I always love going to those haha the best and most fun missionary work ever! Then on Wednesday something kinda cool happened. There is a family in our branch that are Koreans. They don't really speak English at all and cant really understand you. There is a lot of cool stories for a later time. But we have been over to the Kims house at least once a week for the past couple of weeks. Their daughter is living with them and she knows both English and Korean, so we usually talk with her and she translates. Well one night about a week ago I had the thought to write down a really simple prayer and have the Kims daughter translate it for me. So this week we went over to their house and she was able to translate it and help me enunciate the Korean words. I have been able to practice at night when I pray and other times during the day. I cant wait to go back and say the prayer for them so that Brother and Sister Kim will be able to understand at least one thing that we say. Im so excited to kinda show off haha I know that I don't sound Korean at all, but I try my best haha kinda crazy being down in the heart of the south and learning Korean:)

This is called sand art I think haha its was pretty fun! On Thursday the Zone Leaders were coming down and we were going to do another exchange. This time I was with Elder Hatch. Well this day I planned out myself and it actually turned out to be great! We were able to see a lot of people. To teach and to serve. Something that I was able to learn from Elder Hatch was that missionary work isn't just sitting down teaching a lesson to an investigator. Missionary work is helping people in their trials and bringing smiles to their faces! Its doing what Christ would do if he were on the earth. And when Christ did live on the earth he taught multitudes lessons, he gave parable. Not only did he do just that, but he healed the sick and afflicted, he comforted those who were lonely and in need of comfort, he served and he was a missionary by example. That's all missionary work is. Yes sometimes missionary work is teaching lessons, but its also serving, and being an example to others!

Another great thing that happened this week is that we were able to go to the temple again!! I was so excited cuz I love the temple! I forgot to bring my camera once again so I don't have any pictures of it, but it was such a cool experience! Once I got to the Celestial Room, I felt so good. I sat there and just felt so at peace. I felt at home. I felt the closest Ive ever felt on my mission to my family. Not only my immediate family but everyone. All the members I know. All the investigators I taught. I felt so close to everyone and had a little glimpse of what Heaven would be like. To have our whole family there. I did not want to leave that room! I stayed in there for a really long time. But then I realized that if I stayed there I could not help others come and live with me haha so I knew I had to get back out and be a missionary.

The last experience I had was yesterday. We were able to help serve a family that was moving. They had a porch on their trailer that needed to be taken down. So we helped them with that in the pouring rain and we got a lot taken down. They were so grateful for us coming to help them. I know that helping serve one another and seeing the smile on their face is the best missionary work you can do! I had the Gospel Principles lesson yesterday. I really feel like I have grown so much and been able to teach that class and make it so they learn things. I know that Heavenly Father is helping me with that.

I hope yall are having a great time. Have a great week! If you don't feel like you have yet I encourage all yall to "Catch the Wave":) Even by doing small and simple things! I love yall!

Love Elder Hall