Barben Won at Soccer!

Hey Yall! 

This week has been great! It almost feels like fall, we will have a day of colder weather then back to the humidity and hott haha but its good. And actually we have had a few tornado warning go off, our tornado sirens were blaring and this is the first time ive heard them here in Madison even though they are right by our apts! haha but nothing big has happened. You never know with Alabama weather! haha in other news my title was from a missionary Elder Barben. He wanted me to tell yall he won at soccer today haha so be proud of him I guess:) haha

This week has been great. Busy just like always and full of good experiences. If yall haven't caught on since ive been in Madison most the time we find by tracting for store contacting and just try to get new investigators. Most the time we get referrals for all the surrounding areas. This week we helped some Sisters in the Madison 3rd ward. We went tracting with them. Now before yall freak out and think we went on a double date, we didnt all go up to the same doors. Elder Smith and I started on the one end of the street and knocked all the same side, Sisters Butterfield and Olsen tracted the other way. Now they are the only ward in our stake that hasnt had a baptism this year. They are one of if not the richest area in our mission, with Madison 1st ward, our ward, not to far behind. Well we got them one return apt and they were able to teach a mini restoration lesson and so in all 2 new investigators! 

We were able to have interviews with Prez Hanks. Those like always went so well. We were able to talk alot about what I have done on my mission, how i can continue to improve for these last few months. Haha funny moment was that Prez Hanks wanted to give me some advice about staying strong til the end of my mission. He said, "I have a solution." "Whats that?" I asked "You go home in March...." Pres Said. (Wow! In my mind for a few split seconds which felt like eternity I know think that Prez Hanks gave me an extension and im not leaving til March which freaked me out, but at the same time I was gonna accept it) I said, "Yes sir, ill stay out til then." Then he followed up his statement with, "If you think like that then one day in January youll wake up and be surprised that your going home so soon." Haha so needless to say im not getting an extension. But also we were able to watch the Meet the Mormons movie. Boy was that great! I loved it and can say that it was a lot better then i thought. If yall havent seen it i highly recommend it and take a friend! 

Just a couple neat experiences this past week. We were able to see Tiffany. She has a lot of different struggles and challenges. One of which is her husband. Well she kicked him outta the house and is now trying to cope with that. We were able to go over and comfort her and just let her be at peace. We also have helped her in other ways and you can tell she enjoys the spirit we bring and loves the gospel. She has been reading a little bit of out the BOM even though she doesnt understand to much. But she is progressing slowly. Also the other experience we had this week was that of our ward. Lately more than normal amount of members have been coming up to us sharing missionary moments they have throughout the week. This is great because when I first got here they werent the most missionary minded ward. I have seen as they have turned their desires over to the Lord, they have seen little miracles. Its funny because just like a Utah ward, most members here only associate with other members of the church, so they have really had to reach out and go beyond there comfort zone. The excitement of missionary work is catching on and spreading.  We pulled a little prank on the sisters and this is how they got us back. Right after we got done on pday playing frisby! And this is my reaction to it!

In our zone this month we have set a goal of 6 baptisms. This year in the Madison zone the most baptisms they have ever gotten in a month is 5. We have 9 dates right now and have already had 2 baptisms go through. We are working hard on keeping in contact with the baptism dates we have. We have set some Zone goals to 1. Be obedient 2. Have prayers of gratitude along with our attitude and 3. To go out and work, not expecting anything in return. This way we will improve and take our zone to the next level. We have so many good missionaries in our zone that are willing and wanting to work hard, and they do! Ive been very blessed as a leader to have great missionaries under me supporting me as I support them. 

I hope that yall have a great week. I love you so much and wish the best for yall! Remember to have an attitude of gratitude, this will help you be happy:) In Mosiah 23:10

10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries, and did answer my prayers...

and also in verse 21-22:

21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.

22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up... 

Remember its not til after ALL we can do does the Lord bless us. Have patience, faith, pray often, and endure. The Lord is there to strength us, alot of times we dont realize it. In the end the trail will make us stronger and will do more good then harm, as we put our trust in Him, Jesus will lift us up!

Love Elder Hall:)