Monday, September 30, 2013

Baby blessing

Hey Yall!

Life down here in bama is great! It is starting to cool down just a little. Its usually in high 60's low 70's in the morning and evenings and in the low to mid 80's in the middle of the day. Its still a little hotter then I would like, but its not to bad. There are spiders and there webs are everywhere! You always find yourself running strait into a huge one! Haha its funny cuz you wouldn't need Halloween decorations since you got them all already! But other than that nothing really to crazy has happened around here. This area isn't full of any crazy people, just country layed back folks that farm haha This week has been kinda rough. Not a lot of people have either been home, or they have been sick and don't feel like havin us come over, but I do got a few good stories to tell yall for this week!  This is a sign we pass every week makin sure that we know that a church is coming up haha the funny thing is ive never seen any other sign like it down south, and the church is so teeny tiny!

The first one I wanna share happened on Thursday. We had gotten a call from a man named Joel. He is a member of our branch and a huge farmer. Well last week he had fallen off of his tractor and hurt his back. He asked if we could come over and help him farm for the day. We told him we would love to. Especially since I haven't gotten to do any service for a while and I wanted to do some good old hark work in my jeans again! So he came over and got us in the morning. We helped him with his fences. Now they were already up, and they were just a couple strands of wires. So what we had to do was unhook all the wire, then pull the whole string out into the field. Then we had to go back and pull up all the posts so that Joel could come through and bush hog all the weeds that were up there. Then we would put the posts back in and drag the wires back where we could hook it all up again. I also gotta use his machete to cut down some branches and limbs and things that were in the way which was pretty fun. But we had done that all the way down one side of the field, then we had to go down the other side. He wanted to take a break and go and eat some lunch. So we did that then started down the other side of the field and did the exact same thing. Once we finished that we were done for the day, he was so grateful that we would come help him with that and he kept saying it helped him out so much! He asked if we wanted to go to the cow sale they are having tomorrow and we told him we would love to! So ill have to tell yall about that next week and send pics:)

The next story is kinda similar it happened on Saturday and it kinda goes along with this story. So a man named Greg Sexton (he is my hero! I wish I could bring him out to Utah with me for my homecoming so that everyone could meet him. He is so dang funny. I love him to death) He is another man in our branch. He had shattered his elbow back in January and just back in July was able to go back to work. He needed help with moving a stove outta his house onto the porch. So we helped him do that. We had to do surgery and take the door off which seemed like it was 100 years old. But we did it. After he told us, " Yall to boys are very good missionaries. Your helpin out an old man that could never do this himself." Or something along those lines haha but as I sat back and look at it I realized that is just as much missionary work as is teaching a lesson. Even though they are members they are still in need of help! Well on Sunday we helped another man move the stove from the porch to his trailer so he could sell it for scrap metal. It has been so nice to be able to do so much service. Me and Elder Hodge were talking about it and this next week we are gonna take a day and dress in our jeans and a shirt and go around and just ask if we can do service. That way we can not only help people, but we can develop relationships with active members, less active members, and investigators. And it could possibly be a finding opportunity for us in maybe someone would want there friends to talk with us. I don't know what'll happen, but we figured it was a good out side of the box idea and we could have fun with it too!

Like I said earlier we have had a hard time trying to see people this week. So its been a lot of the same people we have visited. We were able to visit a man named Chris. He is a return missionary and is in his 30's. He has a girlfriend, Sarah, that's not a member, but he has wanted her to take the missionary discussions. Well we went over to there house one night and both of them were there and Sarah's friend Kayla, who also isn't a member was there. And after we talked about regular old boring things, we asked them if we could practice the lessons with them. That way it didn't put them in an awkward situation and we could get practice, which is what we need. But also at the same time we are really teaching them the lessons. So its kinda tricking them into it but hey whatever works right? Haha but we were able to give a really good Restoration lesson to them and they understood everything, Chris was able to help teach us as well and everything went really well. So we are going to "Practice the lessons" every time we go over there from now on.

Last story of the week. It happened yesterday at church. I attached a picture of the Mom, Dad and baby. So Jamie is a member of our church. We visit with her and her family a lot. She had a baby with Brandon, one of our investigators. The picture last week of the guy who I thought looked like Petey from remember the titans. Well aren't married, but they wanted to bless the baby in our church. They asked is I would hold Raylan, the baby, and if another member would bless him. Well the other man didn't feel like he could do it, so they asked if I would bless Raylan. It was me, Elder Hodge, the branch president, one of his councilors and 2 other men in the branch in the circle and I was able to give him a name and bless Raylan. It was so cool, cuz I have never done this before and had no idea what to say. Im not even a dad yet, but just as other priesthood blessings, as you listen to the spirit, it will tell you what to say. There were things I wanted to say before hand that I never said in the blessing, and things I had never thought about that I blessed him with. Its cool to know that Heavenly Father knows his children and how He knows what blessing they need. It was a very cool experience. Brandons whole family who aren't members were there, and Jamies family was there. They all came up and told me thank you so much and what a great job I did. I told them your welcome and as much as the human part of me wanted the praise I just knew it was all from Heavenly Father. Besides it was his priesthood I was using! But what a great opportunity for me to do that!

Our week was great and im looking forward to another amazing week! Time is going by so fast! It feels like we just started the transfer, but there are only 2 weeks left of it! Our bible studies and FHE are coming along great! FHE is still kinda small but we have had people show up every week! Our bible study is increasing in numbers and we have seen 2 of our less active members that have been coming there, start coming back to church! Its so amazing to see how little things can effect the lives of people!

Now let me tell yall a couple things I learned this week. One is how important it is to create friendships with people, but also being a spiritual guide. Making sure that you are inviting people to repent. In the Book of Mormon they invited by crying repentance to the people. That's why we invite, to help others repent. there is an article in the September ensign its by Brad Wilcox called "His Grace is Sufficient". If yall haven't read it I STRONGLY encourage you to do so. It made me think about grace in a totally different way! It made me think about why im here and what I should be doin in a totally different way! The other thing I learned this week was something that the Holy Ghost taught me. So one night me and Elder Hodge were coming up with acronyms for different words. We were trying to come up with one for our district. We never got one but we did do some for finding, like Fear Is Never Desired, and Faith Is Never Doubting. Just a couple of cool ones we found for find. But the next morning, I was still in that thinking mode for acronyms. And one popped into my mind about faith. Its made me think of faith in a whole new perspective. Its 
  • Foundations
  • Attained
  • In
  • Thinking
  • Hopefully
When that thought came to me I just thought, "O man that's cool it actually works." But then I started thinking about it more and more. Then I realized that what I had just written down was correct!! Any foundation we have whether its that our gospel is the gospel of Christ, the BOM is the word of God, our testimonies, all of those we get from thinking with a hopeful mindset. "Its not until after the trail of our faith" that we receive the blessings! When we are put into hard situations that's when we are put to the test and see if we have true faith. That's when we really need to have hope and look for a better future, look for Christ to come help us. Just a cool little thought I wanted to share.

The last acronym we came up with was with our district. I had our district think about what our culture could be. What we want to be known for in the future and how we could share that with the zone, then get the zone to share it with the mission and we could all be united. I gathered ideas from each member of our district and we came up with this.
  • Fearless
  • Unified
  • Noble Service
We are fearless when it comes to finding, teaching baptizing. We are fearless and wont let anything come in the way of our purpose and mission. We are unified as a district. We communicate and help each other in times of need, always looking out for each other. And we give noble service. We are always looking for opportunities not only to service those in our area but other missionaries as well. We want to serve others, and we to it nobly! Put all of those together and we have FUN:)

Wow sorry this email is really long! Haha hopefully yall aren't getting to bored of them by now! But I hope yall are safe, in good health and happy! I hope you have a great week! Even if its not always think hopefully and you can develop more faith! I love yall so much!! Remember to be Happy!

Love Elder Hall:)

Monday, September 23, 2013

Elder Kopishke

Hey Yall!

This week was a great week! It has been sunny and hot some days and cooling down other days. On Saturday we had a ton of rain but that was good for this area we really did need it. Today its overcast and there is a breeze that feels amazing! It is reminding me of back home and how I should be in pad and practicing right now:) haha but I have better things that im doin!

We were able to do our Family Home Evening and we had 4 people show up. Right now its hard to see the success of this because we are just starting out, but I have to keep being positive and seeing how it can affect families in the future. I can start it off and help it grow for future missionaries to come in. Everyone that comes loves it so hopefully tonight will be a success as well:) On Tuesday we went up to Birmingham again to met with Elder Kopishke. He is in the first quorum of the 70. He is German. Our meeting I thought was only gonna last a couple hours. It started at 11. Well when he got up there made a comment about our meeting lasting til 5. I thought he was joking until after a couple hours of the meeting and we had a lunch break and came back in and realized that he wasn't joking. It lasted til 5:30. That's a 6 and a half our meeting! It was all so dang good though! I learned so much and have made goals to become a better missionary. I want to mention real quick one thing that he talked about. And im gonna mention another one later on in the letter. Well he talked to us about what our dreams were. When we first opened up our call letter what did we dream we wanted to accomplish on our mission. He said to never give up on that dream. To keep working towards it and doing little things to help it! He quoted Moses 1:39, " For this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." He then told us how that was Heavenly Fathers Dream. And how it hasn't changed, but has been the same dream for years! Even before we were born as spirit sons and daughters that was his dream. He is working on accomplishing it. So if we have long term dreams keep them. Work toward them and don't ever give up! I remember something my brother in law, Chad, told me when I the age change for missionaries happened and I was getting scared and didn't know if I was gonna go on a mission or not. He said, "Elder, cuz that's now my name;), if you really want something then you will go get it." How true that is. When we put our minds to things and don't let anything stop us we can accomplish anything in this world. And think if you have the help of the most powerful, all knowing being in the universe! But that meeting was amazing. It changed me for sure.

On Wednesday we were able to see and teach a lot of people. One of them being Audrey. We have been reading out of the bible, teaching her the lessons and helping her try to act on our invitations. She has been doing amazing at all of it. We invited her to pray about baptism and she has been doing that. One thing we haven't been able to do is get her to pray out loud in front of us. Well we had just taught her a lesson. Then outta no where I just asked, Audrey will you pray for us. She said yes I will then without thinking just started praying and gave one of the best prayers Ive heard. After wards she was so shocked! She didn't have any words to say, neither did we. It was so amazing! She has been progressing so much! Just to even say a prayer in front of us is a huge accomplishment! Its so cool to see how people can progress and change! When we were leaving she said, "Thank yall so much! I never thought I could do that. I just feel so happy and proud of myself!" I love to see people change in the gospel!

On Friday and Saturday we did an exchange with the Zone Leaders. Elder Hodge went up to Montgomery with Elder Gale and I stayed down here with Elder Schneider. It was such a good exchange!! On Friday we had district meeting. Im not gonna lie it was probably the best district meeting ive had so far. It was weird though because the sisters in Greenville were on an exchange as well we we had a zone leader and a sister training leader there haha president Hanks is probably making sure we aren't doing anything to funky down here. But we talked about how to be a successful missionary. In Preach My Gospel it says, "You are successful when you are obedient, live righteously, and do your best in helping others live the gospel." That's it. I feel like when you go on a full time mission you go because of 2 things. 1. To help others grow. 2. To help yourself grow. But the meeting was really good. And on the exchange we were able to see a lot of people, we both are very sarcastic so we had a lot of laughs and we even went to another birthday party! In all it was very successful!

This is a family that usually never gets together. Maybe like 1 time in a year and I got them all together so I could take a pic with them. This is at the birthday party we went to:) I was so excited to get a pic with all of them! Now on Sunday it was a very crazy day. Last Sunday one of the ladies in the primary presidency talked with me and asked if we would teach primary next week. I said yes. Well Saturday night I remembered that we needed to teach that! Ahh and me being the smart man waited til morning to start on it. So Sunday morning we get up and I had a couple minutes to think about what to do. The lesson was on service. So what we ended up doing is I had a little activity where I would blind fold one of the kids and have them try and find me, btw everyone of them cheated and peaked, haha but then I had then blindfolded and someone helping them. Then we talked about how in Lehi's dream people needed to help each other stay on the iron rod. Then I had them color a picture of a family and on the back write a note to someone they loved either mom or dad, or friend. After that we listened to Love One Another. It turned out to be really good! And it was so cute. One of the little boys wrote his letter to me haha as I was talking with every one I said, "Ok now when you get home make sure to give this to the person you wrote the note to and give them a big hug." So he walked up to me, handed me the paper and gave me a big hug haha. But then we had to run over to the trailer to teach Gospel Principles. As we were walking over there the 2nd councilor came up to us and asked if we would give a talk for sacrament meeting. My comp said no, so I told him I would do it. He then hands me this long article and says I want you to talk on this. It was about the 2nd coming so I said ok I will haha Well with that little time, and trying to make it a good talk I tried hard. I talked for a good 20-30 minutes, cuz they only have one speaker, and told the parable of the 10 virgins and how the oil in our lamps is our testimony and experiences we will have when Christ comes again. We cant just share those. And I talked a lot about preparing and not procrastinating the day of our repentance. It went very well though and a ton of people told me is was great. I hope it was haha

This was a pic that a lady at the rest home had up on the wall! I thought it was great! So now I want to tell yall what one of the best things that Elder Kopishke taught me. It was a really cool experience that I keep having to re learn over and over again. At the start of the meeting he told us to think about some questions we had, then to write them down. Then he said I don't want you to write down everything I say. I don't wanna look over there and see your hand moving at a million miles an hour trying to write down everything. But just listen to the spirit. If a thought pops into your mind while I talk, write it down. If you think of a scripture write it down and look at it afterwards. If I say something that may answer your question write it down. But listen to the spirit. So that's exactly what I did. It was amazing that there were things said in that conference that answered my exact specific questions! It was nuts! I couldn't believe it. Then he quoted us a scripture. "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Its only when we ask our questions that they can be answered. Its only when we seek that we shall find. When I was giving my sacrament talk I invited the branch to do something that I want yall to do as well. Its pertaining to General Conference that is coming up. I feel that we should be preparing just as the Apostles are preparing for us. As they prepare what they are going to talk about, we should prepare what we want to receive. So in the next couple of weeks think about problems, trials, questions you have in your own life. Try to make them as specific as you can. If you want a specific answer, ask a specific question. Then write it down. I will promise yall that if you do that and as you listen to General Conference, your questions will get answered. You will figure out how to overcome your trial. Your problems will be resolved. Heavenly Father can put into the minds of the Apostles what each individual needs to hear. But how will Heavenly Father know what you need if you don't know what you need? Try this experiment and see if it doesn't work. I tried it and figured out again that it works every time. "We will only receive the blessings that we are prepared for!"- Sister Christofferson.

I hope that yall have a great week! Keep enjoying every moment. Keep serving and helping move the Lords kingdom forward! Im so thankful to each and everyone of yall in my life! I love yall so much! Remember to be Happy Happy Happy!

Love Elder Hall:)

Monday, September 16, 2013

Time Flys When Yall are Havin Fun:)

Hey Yall!

This week has flown by! I swear I was just sitting here yesterday emailing all yall. But that's good I guess haha. Each Sunday when they do the branch business, I always ask just for a second so I can remind everyone about the Family Home Evening and the Bible Study. Well I guess the man conducting got tickled at what I said, because he got up and told everyone how we are rubbin off on me with my language and sayin, Yall and all that haha it tickled me and everyone pink! Haha that just means everyone was laughing at me haha but I love it when people say things like that to me because that means im accomplishing my goal of getting a southern accent! Haha its great:) This week has been a week of driving though! We had to go up to Montgomery for a meeting, then to Greenville so I could interview a lady for baptism, then we went all the way up to Birmingham for the temple trip and on the way back a couple of Elders wanted to go visit some people so we stopped by Bessemer and Clanton, then we finally got back down to Highland Home! Haha But I love it! Im pretty sure I take that after my dad because he loves to drive as well:) haha

Doesn't he look like Petey from remember the titans?? When I saw him that's all I could see and that's his new nick name. Petey:) Because this week was full of driving a couple different days we weren't able to see as many people as we would've but it was still a great week! Ill start off on Tuesday, we had zone training which is always great! And our zone this transfer is going to be amazing! After that we had to head down to Greenville so that I could interview a lady named Courtney. Now this is my first interview for someone to be baptized but it went so well! I was kinda freaking out, because when the zone leaders came down and interviewed John it took a little bit, so I was nervous I couldn't make it as long. Well to my surprise, we went way to long haha we sat in there and talked forever and I was worried that we needed to end it! Haha it was kinda funny how it worked out. But she is so ready for baptism! She has such a strong testimony of the gospel and has been so prepared! The sister missionaries were going to do her baptism this Saturday but some things came up in her personal life that made us postpone for a little bit. But I cant wait to tell yall how things go with her. I just want to say that I love my district! Its me and my comp, the 2 sister missionaries and a sr couple. They are all so amazing and help me out so much! They make it easy on me to be a district leader!

This is colt man. I gave him a mow hawk cuz he kept saying that I had one haha so I showed him what a mow hawk was:)  O now I need to tell yall about the FHE and Bible Study! Haha I almost forgot that! But starting off with the FHE. So we get up there and I realized that I forgot the key to the church. Well people were showing up and I had to call a man in our branch to come open up the church building for us haha. Dyana showed up and her sister, mom, and aunt! It was literally a family night for her I was so excited and happy about it! But we get in and I was gonna show one of the new videos the church is putting out about introducing Mormons. They made one about families so I decided to show that one. We watched it and me and Elder Hodge just bore our testimonies about Family Night and how it can help strengthen families. And then it hit me.... I was so much in a hurry to try and get outta the house and forgot the games! Ahhh. Well luckily I had brought a coloring page that I was gonna give to all the kids. So I printed more of those out and we sat and ate cookies and colored. Haha in all it turned out to be very well. And we are expecting more families to come tonight! I cant wait until we can get families to come and have them spread the word and get this to be a big hit! Haha but now for Bible Study. We had about 6 people come again! And there are 2 less active members that come and its just so good that they keep coming each week! We are expecting to keep having more come to that as well! So between the 2 nights we should start to see success with this. Its not an instant results kinda deal but long term it should be good:) Everyone says that they love the bible study so hopefully they can tell other about how good it is.

Here is a side angle of Colts hair:) This week we have been able to see a few people. Saturday was another hard day, because Alabama had a big game against Texas A&M. But we were able to stay busy! Nt to much is happening with our investigators or less actives. We are just trying to slowly work with everyone. We tired to pick up speed with people and started to scare them off or offend them. So I have learned that in this area ya kinda just gotta work slowly with people. But there are little progressions coming. People are praying, reading scriptures and come to church ever so often. But Im really hoping that with people coming up to the church for these meetings more it will help them.

Now on for one of the most exciting days of the week! The temple day! We were able to go up to the Birmingham Temple on Friday. It was so good! I always love going to the temple! There is just a calm peaceful feeling about it. I love learning more each and every time I go! You learn a lot about who you are, and what you can become! That kinda leads into my little spiritual thought for the week. So last week I told yall about changing my testimony from the church being true to it being the Church of Jesus Christ. Well this week I have studied it out more and listened to talks and things and have come to figure out something. What is truth? In Doctrine and Covenants 93:24 it says, " Truth is a knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come." So truth is the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness. Which covers everything in the gospel. But I found out something interesting. Truth can also be a person. Who is truth? In John 14:6 Christ tells us, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the away, the btruth, and the life: no man ccometh unto the Father, but by me." So the truth is Christ! So now take this scripture and ask yourself, how are we made free, or who makes us free? John 8:32, "And ye shall aknow the btruth, and the ctruth shall make you dfree." Once we come to know more about the Plan of Salvation we can come to know more about our Savior. When we know and gain a testimony of the principles of the gospel we can know more about the principles of Christ. When we read in the scriptures about the true word of God, we are reading the words of Christ. So once we know Christ, that's when we are made free. We are made free when we increase in our testimony, in knowledge, and in the gospel. That is kinda confusing but I hope that yall understand what im trying to get at. The Truth=Christ. That's just something I have been studying and learning about this past week.

Well I am so excited for tomorrow. Elder Kopischke from the quorum of the seventy is coming and we are all goin up to Birmingham again to meet him! Its going to be amazing! Ill have to tell yall how it goes:) Well I hope yall have a great week! Try to stay dry from what I keep hearing. Haha the weather there is a delayed reaction of the weather here..... Just remember the sun will always come back:) I love yall so much! Be obedient and yall will be happy! Remember to enjoy all the little moments in life!:)

Love Yall so much!!

Love Elder Hall:)

Monday, September 9, 2013

I love the Mission!

Hey Yall!

Golly! Yall would not believe what happened this week! Im fixin to share with yall one of the coolest stories ive had on my mission! But before I do that I just wanted to talk about a couple other things. One thing ive learned while down south is that ya don't put sugar on your grits. Haha I still do it anyway because that makes it super good. But everyone down here freaks out if ya do that! Haha and I think that yall in Utah are getting delayed reaction weather from Alabama. Cuz it sounds like yall started to heat up right after it was heating up here, and now that we are done with the down pour of rain yall are getting it now haha kinda strange...

Worlds largest peanut boil.... remember down south its peanut (bowl) :)  But this week has been so good! It all started off on Tuesday we had biked to a ladies house. Well as we were starting to leave the clouds looked big and black. She asked if we wanted to try and fit both our bikes into her car and she with her guy friend could take us to our car. Well one I didn't wanna mess up the inside of her car by trying to slam 2 bikes into it and 2 I knew it was gonna rain and wanted an epic missionary moment. Well we got it haha about 2-3 miles before we got to our car, the clouds broke and down it came! We were now biking into a thunder storm! Haha it was a down pour and we kept biking harder and faster until we got to our car. Then we had planned on having dinner with a member. Well we got to there house and they were so kind as to give us clothes to so they could dry our soaking wet ones haha. Well in the middle of drying the power went out! Haha and we were planning to go to our bible study right after the dinner. So we put on our mostly dry clothes and headed to the bible study. It was great though! I felt like a real missionary biking through the rain! Haha

Ok now im ready to tell yall the amazing story that happened this week. So last week I told yall about John and his 3 daughters Kimberly,13, Jennifer,11, and Brandi,7. So his baptism date was Saturday the 7th. We had planned on meeting about an hour and a half early with the missionaries and John and Jennifer who was the only daughter that was able to make it to his baptism. We were going to teach both of them just a couple of things like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, more about Baptism and things like that. Well as we taught them and time got closer to the baptism, something interesting happened. Sister Lewis was talking with Jennifer and she told her, " After your dad gets baptized he can hold the priesthood and then could baptize you. Wouldn't that be cool? Would you want to do that?" Jennifer replied, "Yes. I want to do that!" So Sister Lewis then tells Jennifer to go tell her dad the good news. As we are all standing around we are watching them and she goes up to her dad, and this is 15 minutes before his baptism was planned to schedule. She says, " I wanna be baptized today with you daddy!" Holy cow!!! I couldn't believe it!!! And everything was setting up perfect because one of the Zone Leaders was coming down so he could interview her. She had been taught most the lessons and had been to church.   John and his daughter Jenifer both got baptized! Such a huge miracle!!!

The other amazing thing is that her mom, Johns ex wife, was ok and fine with the whole thing to happen. That never happens! Usually they put up a big fuss about it and all that! But nope she said that it was Jennifer's decision! Wow so we were able to find clothes for her, interview her and make sure she knew what was gonna happen. The baptism was delayed a little but we were able to get everything organized and both of them got baptized by Elder Hodge! It was such a good meeting! You could see the change in them!  All the missionaries that helped with John and Jennifers baptism.

Then on Sunday I got to confirm them. It was such a special moment! Everything worked out perfectly! And after they had received the Gift of the Holy Ghost you could see the change in there eyes, in there countenance! I love how this gospel can do that! It helps people change! Its so amazing to see the Atonement work!:) John has told time after time and keeps telling us, he is so happy, he knows that this is true, and he feels so good! It so great to see people that embrace the gospel like that!

So that was defiantly the highlight of the week! But we have been working hard with others as well. We had another bible study and 6 people came which was still really good considering the power was out so a lot of people couldn't come cuz of that and the rain. But we are starting to figure out how to best run it. We are teaching people about Christ's life and parables He taught, and as we do that are throwing in Book of Mormon scriptures that talk about the same principle and we are adding principles out of the lessons from Preach My Gospel. So its been working out really well! Its a mormonfied bible study:) Haha. Tonight we are starting our first family home evening. Im hoping a lot of families show up! I think this will be big and hopefully help as well. We have a game plan of what we are gonna do but that could change so ill have to tell yall about it next week! But we are still teaching a lot of part member families. We are starting to see less actives come back to church! I love to see it when someone who hasn't been in a long time comes back! Its just as good a feeling as getting a baptism!! So things here are progressing. We are going to the temple this Friday! Which im so stoaked about!!!! I love going to the temple!! I cant wait! And this time ill remember to bring my camera so I can finally get pictures of it! Haha O and we had district meeting this past week which I feel like im getting better at knowing how to teach and help my district each and every time we have district meeting. They defiantly help me out way more though!

One last thought. So the past couple of weeks I have been listening to a lot of testimonies. And with everyone including me we all say things like, I know this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Joseph smith was a true prophet..... And many things such as those. Well I thought to myself what does that mean, the word TRUE? Why do we keep saying the church is true? Those are a couple of questions I had and wanted yall to think about. I want to tell yall the answer that I have come up with. Now all yall now that im not into big words and reading and things like that. I don't know the definition of the word true. But to me if our church is true, then its Christ Chruch. If our church is Christ church then our gospel is his gospel. So therefore our church is the Church of Jesus Christ... of Latter Day Saints. That's what makes it true. We have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is another reason why its true. Why is the Book of Mormon a true book? Because its another Testament of Jesus Christ. Its Gods word given to us today. Why is Joseph Smith a true prophet? Because he was given the calling in the existence before this life. He was called of God to be his mouth piece. Now I want to invite yall to do something. Any time you go to bear your testimony or to say something about the church, don't take the easy way out and just say its true. Look at the deeper meaning. See what it is all about. And not only will that help others understand more about our church but it will help you learn things you never knew or didn't recognize! Because Heavenly Father has helped me realize this I want to share just a little testimony of mine now.

I know that Heavenly Father is the father of our spirits. He lives just as his Son Jesus Christ lives! Christ is our Savior and Redeemer from all of our sins, afflictions, sadness and sorrow. He has established his church and gospel once again on the earth. It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He restored his church through Joseph Smith whom God chose to be his prophet. Joseph Smith through the help and power of Heavenly Father translated The Book of Mormon. Another Testament of Jesus Christ. That is Gods word that he has given to us for our day! He loves us so much and cares about us that He has provided modern living apostles and Prophets. Thomas S. Monson is his prophet on earth today. He can tell us what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want us to know. Through him and the apostles they can stand as modern witnesses of Jesus Christ. Let us all stand as his special witnesses in this time today, let us stand by him and spread this message of Happiness!! "And as surely as Christ liveth.... bear testimony of him. Moroni 7: 26&31. One last quote I wanna tell yall. "Dare to be a Mormon. Dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm. Dare to make it known." - President Monson.

I hope that everyone of yall can realize how close times are until Christ come! Let us all be warriors of Christ and spread this glorious gospel! I hope that yall have a wonderful week! Life is so great right now! I would not wanna live an any other time than now! We are the "Youth of the Noble Birthright" as Elder Nelson talked about yesterday in the CES Fireside! Remember to Be Happy:) I love yall!!

Love Elder Hall!:)












Here is how we cook eggs down here! Yup you can cook them in the microwave and they actually aren't bad either! Haha the things you learn on a mission….:)




Monday, September 2, 2013

Roll Cougars!

Hey Yall!

Let the cougars out and the tide roll! Haha football season is back and on its way. Football Season is back. Plus I had to sent back the flag cuz im trying to be more obedient so I had to take one last pic with it:) Haha Im not gonna lie, this past Saturday we were able to stay busy, but it has been killing me to try and not get to into or caught up in all the football. Literally everyone ages 3 weeks to 100 years old is watching football down here! Haha but ill be able to handle it! Its just a very different experience! So a couple things I wanna tell yall before I get started into my week. We got transfer calls on Saturday night. We will both be stayin here in Highland Home! That'll make 6 months for me down here:) I love this area and the people so I was excited about that. haha next is a couple of southern foods. My momma reminded me of some southern foods I forgot to tell yall about. One is boiled peanuts. Now just to make sure yall say it right, you pronounce it this way... Bowled peanuts.:) That's how we say it down here haha but they are super good! They basically just take peanuts and boil them in water then put salt on them. At first they weren't to appealing to me but they have grown on me so dang much! I love them:) Also one other thing that I sent yall pics of is the waffles and chicken chips. Those are super good to! haha

This is the very famous restaurant in highland home! It dont matter! Its super good! Just a good southern country buffet! This week has been crazy and hectic and amazing at the same time! We have been teaching a lot of people and running around and having great experiences. Something I have come to realize for me in this area is I feel like Im supposed to be planting seeds. Setting things up for future missionaries to come and harvest. I dont feel like ill be in this area to much longer but I know that this area is going to start growing so much! And something that im working super hard on is the bible study. I know that this will help not only us and investigators but itll help members become involved in missionary work. This past Wednesday I wasn't able to be there. Me and one of the Zone Leaders had to go to another area for some business, but I got to see a couple people who came right before we left.There was a man who is coming back to church who came and he was very involved and excited about it. Also an investigator, Nikki, who came she was also involved and she told us we could come and teach her more about our church! That was great news! We were also able to double the attendance from last week! So im hoping this week we can keep increasing! And we have had a hard time figuring out what to teach, but we finally now have a game plan and im so excited to keep doing this! The other Zone Leader was able to help with the class and both of them saw how successful its being. They are going to talk about it with the other leaders in our mission and the mission president and try to get other area to implement it in there area:) So im excited about that!who came she was also involved and she told us we could come and teach her more about our church! That was great news! 
Good old southern food! waffles and chicken chips! Haha they are actually pretty good if y'all wanna try them:)

We were also able to double the attendance from last week! So im hoping this week we can keep increasing! And we have had a hard time figuring out what to teach, but we finally now have a game plan and im so excited to keep doing this! The other Zone Leader was able to help with the class and both of them saw how successful its being. They are going to talk about it with the other leaders in our mission and the mission president and try to get other area to implement it in there area:) So im excited about that!who came she was also involved and she told us we could come and teach her more about our church! That was great news! We were also able to double the attendance from last week! So im hoping this week we can keep increasing! And we have had a hard time figuring out what to teach, but we finally now have a game plan and im so excited to keep doing this! The other Zone Leader was able to help with the class and both of them saw how successful its being. They are going to talk about it with the other leaders in our mission and the mission president and try to get other area to implement it in there area:) So im excited about that!And we have had a hard time figuring out what to teach, but we finally now have a game plan and im so excited to keep doing this! The other Zone Leader was able to help with the class and both of them saw how successful its being. They are going to talk about it with the other leaders in our mission and the mission president and try to get other area to implement it in there area:) So im excited about that!And we have had a hard time figuring out what to teach, but we finally now have a game plan and im so excited to keep doing this! The other Zone Leader was able to help with the class and both of them saw how successful its being. They are going to talk about it with the other leaders in our mission and the mission president and try to get other area to implement it in there area:) So im excited about that!

These 2, The Bests...yes that's literally there last name.... no joke haha, are very important people down here for the branch. He has been the branch president twice and the district president before we were a stake I love them! 

We have also come across an unusual situation. The sister missionaries in Greenville, the other area im over as district leader, found a man named John when they were doing service for someone in there area. This man became interested in why the sisters were out painting a house. Well they ended up being able to teach him and talk with him for the past week and a half. He had gone to church with them in the branch as well and was just so excited about the whole situation. Then they set a baptismal date with him for Sep 7th. The only problem was that he lived in our area. So we would have to baptize him into our branch. One other cool thing is that we actually met john at a bbq place called hooks. He had said that he knew missionaries in Greenville then he had to leave.What we ended up doing is on Saturday the sisters came up to our branch building and we met with them and John. We talked with john and explained the situation that he would have to come to our branch on Sunday and then he would have to be baptized into our branch. Well he said he would come but he was really nervous. Lets just say that Heavenly Father has been preparing him so much. He told us today that church yesterday was a little awkward at first but as time went on he was fine and said everything was good. He has been willing to start living the Word of Wisdom and he has 3 girls that he is getting to come to church with him! We were able to do the baptismal interview with him yesterday. Im so excited for him. The baptism will be this Saturday!We are going to work with him to get the priesthood soon after baptism so that he can then baptize 2 of his girls who are ages 11 and 13. And his other daughter is 6! He has been so prepared by Heavenly Father and is doing so well! Even though ive only known him for a couple of days I love him! The sisters have been amazing in teaching him and getting him excited! Its cool to see how we can all work together in the same goal of helping people change their lives though the Atonement!! AHH is just so cool! I love being a missionary! I wish I had time to tell yall every little cool experience but I would be here for years!The sisters have been amazing in teaching him and getting him excited! Its cool to see how we can all work together in the same goal of helping people change their lives though the Atonement!! AHH is just so cool! I love being a missionary! I wish I had time to tell yall every little cool experience but I would be here for years!The sisters have been amazing in teaching him and getting him excited! Its cool to see how we can all work together in the same goal of helping people change their lives though the Atonement!! AHH is just so cool! I love being a missionary! I wish I had time to tell yall every little cool experience but I would be here for years!

This is my district!:) We are the best! We have had 2 baby blessings one on Saturday and the other on Sunday! They both went great! And one more quick story before I go. So there was a man in my last area named James. He was the one that had a ton of surgeries. We would go visit with him and his girlfriend. Well this week I have found out that he is doing tons better since his surgeries and that he is getting married! Not only that but his girlfriend is coming to church and she is going to be baptized! Its so cool to hear stories of people that you were able to be with! To see them use the atonement and how it can affect them in there lives! How they can change and become such great people! That is what I love about our gospel! Is that its all about the blessings for you! Its about being happy and becoming like Christ! I love it! We have been able to stay so busy lately!We have almost doubled the lessons we teach each week! I know that the Lord will help us!

Im not sure if I have shared this scripture with yall yet or not but a very smart man shared this scripture with me and it has become one of if not my most favorite scripture. Its Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but aChrist bliveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the cfaithof the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Now this relates to every single one of us. It is saying that we are all crucified with Christ. But who lives? US. We are the ones that are on earth today! Christ lives in us. But how can he? Its only if we are living righteously and being obedient to the commandments and the Prophets! Now just as Paul we need to live by faith. We need to step into the darkness, then, only then can Christ reveal his light. He loves us and wants to help us in our efforts. He wants to bless us and help us perform miracles but its only if we want to. He isn't going to force us to do anything but is waiting on the sideline for us to come to him. We need to take an act of faith each day and look for ways so share our testimony, to help others,to make ourselves more like Christ but also reach outside of ourselves and help others as well. If you know and want Miracles to happen they will. It all depends on your faith.... So this week I want to invite yall to remember what it means when Paul says, "Christ liveth in me." How can Christ live in YOU? What will you be doing if Christ lives in you? What will you be saying if your a modern day disciple of Christ? I know that if yall truly think about these questions you will get answers by the spirit. Then act and you will see how blessings and miracles can happen! I promise yall as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you reach out to others and look for missionary opportunities, God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!It all depends on your faith.... So this week I want to invite yall to remember what it means when Paul says, "Christ liveth in me." How can Christ live in YOU? What will you be doing if Christ lives in you? What will you be saying if your a modern day disciple of Christ? I know that if yall truly think about these questions you will get answers by the spirit. Then act and you will see how blessings and miracles can happen! I promise yall as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you reach out to others and look for missionary opportunities, God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!It all depends on your faith.... So this week I want to invite yall to remember what it means when Paul says, "Christ liveth in me." How can Christ live in YOU? What will you be doing if Christ lives in you? What will you be saying if your a modern day disciple of Christ? I know that if yall truly think about these questions you will get answers by the spirit. Then act and you will see how blessings and miracles can happen! I promise yall as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you reach out to others and look for missionary opportunities, God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!How can Christ live in YOU? What will you be doing if Christ lives in you? What will you be saying if your a modern day disciple of Christ? I know that if yall truly think about these questions you will get answers by the spirit. Then act and you will see how blessings and miracles can happen! I promise yall as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you reach out to others and look for missionary opportunities, God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!How can Christ live in YOU? What will you be doing if Christ lives in you? What will you be saying if your a modern day disciple of Christ? I know that if yall truly think about these questions you will get answers by the spirit. Then act and you will see how blessings and miracles can happen! I promise yall as a representative of Jesus Christ that if you reach out to others and look for missionary opportunities, God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!God will provide them for yall and he will bless yall and yalls family!

I love yall! I love being on a mission! I love being able to help so many people! I can still learn a ton more but I have loved learning to not worry about myself but worry about others, help others, and focus on others! It has helped humble me so much! I hope that yall have a great week! And remember to Be Happy! :)

Love Elder Hall:) 

Changed, Stunned, A New Man

Hey Yall! So this week has been so good, and bad at the same time! It was defiantly the fastest week ive ever had in my life! The weath...