This week was nearly pure service. It was actually really great. Very refreshing compared to the frantic scramble for numbers that I've had throughout my mission up to this point. All the zone leaders and the
assistants to the president went to a meeting in Manhattan last Saturday with President Calderwood (now the official church representative of Justserve) about the Just Serve program, and it seems that the mission is being pushed in a direction that is focused on service. I like it.
This week we got the opportunity to help out with the Bishop's Storehouse. That was a truly uplifting and edifying experience. We helped unload the truck full of church-made and grown food and
necessities like deodorant and toothpaste, and then we helped set things up on tables. We also got the chance to help various members in the stake come out and fill their orders. That was a truly humbling
experience. I went through the tables with a sister whose family I teach fairly regularly. She kept on refusing to take things like milk and sugar, insisting that others needed it more than her. Absolutely
astounding. My love for those people has increased exponentially. I love them.
Well, we got lost three times going to and from the Bishop's Storehouse. Once going there, and then we went the wrong way when I forgot that there was a toll bridge on the rout we were on. After
circling around, we accidentally turned into JFK airport. We thought it was a little early to be taking that particular trip, so we decided to go back to Far Rock the right way ;). After that we helped members
prepare for the branch Thanksgiving party. That party was awesome. Vicente came, and he brought something like four or five friends! He is incredible. We also had another investigator and a few people from English Class there. So awesome. There was plenty of food, lots of friends, and it was just a blast.
On Sunday we had a baptism in the district! She's been investigating for around three months. The zone leaders actually found her the transfer I got to Far Rock. It was awesome. We went to the closest
chapel with a font, and then we had to come back to have the refreshments. It was so fun. Just a great day. Vicente came to church again that day. He had to step out early, but he came! He's on track
for baptism. It likely won't be this Sunday, but likely the next one. If not that, he's going on vacation to Guatemala for a couple months, so we'll be able to snag him again when he comes back. He's getting
baptized for sure.
I haven't gotten any packages this week, but then nobody's been to the office in a week or two, but I will be going to the office tomorrow for transfers (I'm still in). I'm looking forward to it, though. Christmas Music would be great! Basically there's no hard restriction, but it shouldn't be unnecessarily loud or hard in its feel, tempo, or anything like that. So, basically, no rock. Classic carols and stuff like that should be just fine. Jon schmidt, too. Be sure to include a couple different versions of Carol of the Bells. That's my favorite carol.
It is getting colder here, but I'm managing to stay warm so far. I'd appreciate a couple more scarves, too. I'm set for gloves, for now. Oh, also, I don't know what you can do about this, but I'd like to get
a little Scottish flag patch for my bag- the sort that you put on a boy scout uniform, or something. I've been doing some family history, and I feel particularly attached to the Scottish branches of the family. You have to dig a bit, but we're descended from the chiefs of the Kennedy Clan, who fought with Robert the Bruce, and were generally awesome.
I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving, and I hope that we can all find a great many blessings in our lives. I am grateful for my Savior. This transfer I've been feeling very frustrated with myself, and that I'm not measuring up with the sort of leader and missionary I want to be, but I am grateful for my Savior because He knows me, and He has atoned not only for my sins but for my weaknesses, and He has reached out to me this past transfer, and lifted me. I am grateful for Him because I know him better now than ever before in my entire life. I am grateful for His love, and the strength and comfort that lies in it. He knows me, and He knows you, and he can lift you no matter what you've done, no matter where or who you are. I am grateful for my family, who have taught me so well, and who support me through thick and thin. I love them so much, and miss them. I am grateful for other loved ones who support me in everything, and who write me every week. I am grateful for an awesome companion. I am grateful that I'm serving here and now in New York.
I love you all, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Elder Richard Brandt Hull
俚香德
assistants to the president went to a meeting in Manhattan last Saturday with President Calderwood (now the official church representative of Justserve) about the Just Serve program, and it seems that the mission is being pushed in a direction that is focused on service. I like it.
This week we got the opportunity to help out with the Bishop's Storehouse. That was a truly uplifting and edifying experience. We helped unload the truck full of church-made and grown food and
necessities like deodorant and toothpaste, and then we helped set things up on tables. We also got the chance to help various members in the stake come out and fill their orders. That was a truly humbling
experience. I went through the tables with a sister whose family I teach fairly regularly. She kept on refusing to take things like milk and sugar, insisting that others needed it more than her. Absolutely
astounding. My love for those people has increased exponentially. I love them.
Well, we got lost three times going to and from the Bishop's Storehouse. Once going there, and then we went the wrong way when I forgot that there was a toll bridge on the rout we were on. After
circling around, we accidentally turned into JFK airport. We thought it was a little early to be taking that particular trip, so we decided to go back to Far Rock the right way ;). After that we helped members
prepare for the branch Thanksgiving party. That party was awesome. Vicente came, and he brought something like four or five friends! He is incredible. We also had another investigator and a few people from English Class there. So awesome. There was plenty of food, lots of friends, and it was just a blast.
On Sunday we had a baptism in the district! She's been investigating for around three months. The zone leaders actually found her the transfer I got to Far Rock. It was awesome. We went to the closest
chapel with a font, and then we had to come back to have the refreshments. It was so fun. Just a great day. Vicente came to church again that day. He had to step out early, but he came! He's on track
for baptism. It likely won't be this Sunday, but likely the next one. If not that, he's going on vacation to Guatemala for a couple months, so we'll be able to snag him again when he comes back. He's getting
baptized for sure.
I haven't gotten any packages this week, but then nobody's been to the office in a week or two, but I will be going to the office tomorrow for transfers (I'm still in). I'm looking forward to it, though. Christmas Music would be great! Basically there's no hard restriction, but it shouldn't be unnecessarily loud or hard in its feel, tempo, or anything like that. So, basically, no rock. Classic carols and stuff like that should be just fine. Jon schmidt, too. Be sure to include a couple different versions of Carol of the Bells. That's my favorite carol.
It is getting colder here, but I'm managing to stay warm so far. I'd appreciate a couple more scarves, too. I'm set for gloves, for now. Oh, also, I don't know what you can do about this, but I'd like to get
a little Scottish flag patch for my bag- the sort that you put on a boy scout uniform, or something. I've been doing some family history, and I feel particularly attached to the Scottish branches of the family. You have to dig a bit, but we're descended from the chiefs of the Kennedy Clan, who fought with Robert the Bruce, and were generally awesome.
I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving, and I hope that we can all find a great many blessings in our lives. I am grateful for my Savior. This transfer I've been feeling very frustrated with myself, and that I'm not measuring up with the sort of leader and missionary I want to be, but I am grateful for my Savior because He knows me, and He has atoned not only for my sins but for my weaknesses, and He has reached out to me this past transfer, and lifted me. I am grateful for Him because I know him better now than ever before in my entire life. I am grateful for His love, and the strength and comfort that lies in it. He knows me, and He knows you, and he can lift you no matter what you've done, no matter where or who you are. I am grateful for my family, who have taught me so well, and who support me through thick and thin. I love them so much, and miss them. I am grateful for other loved ones who support me in everything, and who write me every week. I am grateful for an awesome companion. I am grateful that I'm serving here and now in New York.
I love you all, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Elder Richard Brandt Hull
俚香德