Hey, so, sorry I didn't write last week. We got started with some sock soccer in the gym, and once that started it didn't end until preparation day ended. So sorry about that!
First off, I did get the b-day package, and I did open it up on the right side :) Grandma and Grandpa Hicken sent me a package, too, with a bunch of sweets in it. Make sure they know I'm thankful.
The last couple weeks have been interesting. I was in a funk again, but now I'm fine, and I think this is the last I'll see of that particular challenge. My problem was that I was trying to fight all my battles, but the only ones I can win are the ones of right here and right now. I've learned how to let Christ fight those battles I can't, and get on with things. It's quite liberating. Another thing that's helped me is taking control of my area book. It's really helped me throw myself into the work and lose myself in it.
Sunday was great. We had three less active members at church- two of which we've been trying to get to church for a while. The theme for Sunday was missionary work, and so I ended up giving a talk, along with one of the Sister missionaries and our Branch Mission Leader. My talk was on how as full time missionaries we are like the standing armies of the Nephites, but the members can be like the stripling warriors, and help us to rescue people from their sins and sadness, people whom they love and are close to. I did my best to tap into my inner Elder Holland and Captain Moroni, to call forth enough fire to singe their eyebrows right off, but I haven't seen the change I was looking for. We'll see. We also sang "En un lejano cerro fue" as a quartet, with me singing bass. That was pretty fun. After church we
had a little missionary fireside/branch anniversary celebration were we taught the members how to answer questions about the church, and how to talk about the gospel to people. Elder Sundet and I were in charge of the youth/primary age group. That was fun, but very very tiring. I ended up leaving with a headache and in need of a nap, but I sure do love those kids. They're just great.
As far as an update on our investigators... The Padillas we haven't met with for a couple weeks, but when we do go back it's going to be a throw down lesson. With Elias and Jorge, we've been doing a ton of trust building. They and their families are now great friends with us. We actually had a super powerful experience. There was this lady (we'll call her Q) who had been in the area book for about two
years. She lives on the south shore, which apart from being pretty far away is also a rich white neighborhood. We didn't think that we had the right house when we pulled up, but we decided to knock anyway. Q answered the door, and it turns out she's actually Italian. We shared the Easter video with her, which talks about finding new life and being made alive in Christ, and you could see the Spirit hit her like a wall, and tears came to her eyes. We just knew that she's pure in heart, and we're going to pass her off to the sisters. Other than that we're still doing a lot of searching and a lot of knocking, without a whole lot of solid people, but that's okay. We just need to find the pure in heart, and we're finding a couple here and there. The Lord blesses us for our hard work, and I've seen miracles come of
obedience.
I'm sorry to hear that you got sick in Hawaii. I hope you're feeling better now. I haven't heard too much of what went on last week, but I guess it's only fair.
I'm trying super hard to think of something else to write, but nothing is coming to mind.
So,
Love,
Elder Richard Brandt Hull
First off, I did get the b-day package, and I did open it up on the right side :) Grandma and Grandpa Hicken sent me a package, too, with a bunch of sweets in it. Make sure they know I'm thankful.
The last couple weeks have been interesting. I was in a funk again, but now I'm fine, and I think this is the last I'll see of that particular challenge. My problem was that I was trying to fight all my battles, but the only ones I can win are the ones of right here and right now. I've learned how to let Christ fight those battles I can't, and get on with things. It's quite liberating. Another thing that's helped me is taking control of my area book. It's really helped me throw myself into the work and lose myself in it.
Sunday was great. We had three less active members at church- two of which we've been trying to get to church for a while. The theme for Sunday was missionary work, and so I ended up giving a talk, along with one of the Sister missionaries and our Branch Mission Leader. My talk was on how as full time missionaries we are like the standing armies of the Nephites, but the members can be like the stripling warriors, and help us to rescue people from their sins and sadness, people whom they love and are close to. I did my best to tap into my inner Elder Holland and Captain Moroni, to call forth enough fire to singe their eyebrows right off, but I haven't seen the change I was looking for. We'll see. We also sang "En un lejano cerro fue" as a quartet, with me singing bass. That was pretty fun. After church we
had a little missionary fireside/branch anniversary celebration were we taught the members how to answer questions about the church, and how to talk about the gospel to people. Elder Sundet and I were in charge of the youth/primary age group. That was fun, but very very tiring. I ended up leaving with a headache and in need of a nap, but I sure do love those kids. They're just great.
As far as an update on our investigators... The Padillas we haven't met with for a couple weeks, but when we do go back it's going to be a throw down lesson. With Elias and Jorge, we've been doing a ton of trust building. They and their families are now great friends with us. We actually had a super powerful experience. There was this lady (we'll call her Q) who had been in the area book for about two
years. She lives on the south shore, which apart from being pretty far away is also a rich white neighborhood. We didn't think that we had the right house when we pulled up, but we decided to knock anyway. Q answered the door, and it turns out she's actually Italian. We shared the Easter video with her, which talks about finding new life and being made alive in Christ, and you could see the Spirit hit her like a wall, and tears came to her eyes. We just knew that she's pure in heart, and we're going to pass her off to the sisters. Other than that we're still doing a lot of searching and a lot of knocking, without a whole lot of solid people, but that's okay. We just need to find the pure in heart, and we're finding a couple here and there. The Lord blesses us for our hard work, and I've seen miracles come of
obedience.
I'm sorry to hear that you got sick in Hawaii. I hope you're feeling better now. I haven't heard too much of what went on last week, but I guess it's only fair.
I'm trying super hard to think of something else to write, but nothing is coming to mind.
So,
Love,
Elder Richard Brandt Hull