Excerpts from a letter to Elder Hull's Mother:
Yes, I am indeed alive! I'm fine, if a little sick.
First order of business- as of last Friday, we missionaries have been given Facebook to hasten the work. So far it's been pretty cool- an easier way to communicate with the people we teach. I've just got to exercise some discipline to not look friends up. Just keep in mind that email is the way I'm to communicate with y'all back home. I can't reply to most of the things you post. This doesn't mean I'm cold-shouldering you, I'm just following the rules. Please, though, by all means, go ahead and like and comment on the stuff I post. It means a lot to me. It'd be super cool to have you guys help with a Facebook chat lesson sometime (if we're allowed to do that). There's a lot of stuff that's still really unclear concerning Facebook. We have a bunch of new videos to watch concerning how to proselyte on Facebook, so we'll figure it out :) It's kind of funny, because I always joked that I would get Facebook during my last transfer. Guess I was off by two transfers!
We had a super cool lesson with a young couple named Michael and Katteryn. They live in the same apartment, with his mom, and they're super cool. Michael and I share a lot of interests. They've been
through a lot in the church. Once upon a time, Freeport and Lynbrook were one Ward, and the bishop wasn't such a great bishop. He offended an awful lot of people, most of whom haven't returned to the church, and it seems like they likely never will. He told Michael that he can't pray, and the members made Katteryn feel very judged and unwelcome. We were able to break through with them, though. It's kinda funny how the Lord has been preparing me to teach M and K long before the start of my mission. We made it clear to them that we are not here to pressure them into marriage, nor are we there to pressure them to go anywhere they feel uncomfortable. Katteryn said she wants to go, but only when
it feels right to her. The Freeport branch is different, and I know that if we keep going in this vein, the Lord will touch their hearts, and they will come back to church. The more I teach people like Mike and Katteryn, the more I understand how the Savior feels concerning each of us.
Just about all the lessons we've had lately have been immensely spiritual and profound. I can see how people have progressed a ton. The Lord is hastening His work here in Freeport. Take Jose, for example. We've been trying to get him to pray for a long, long, long time, like since before I got here. At the end of the lesson, Elder Benitez had the inspiration to whisper in Jose's ear what to pray, primary style. The spirit was SO strong in that blessed little shop. Heavenly Father was crying tears of joy that evening, because one of His lost sons was beginning to talk to Him for the first time in his ~50 years of life. Prayer is so powerful, let us all remember that God is anxious to hear our prayers. He probably feels a lot like you do, mom, when I don't write you ;)
It means a lot to me that dad was a friend to this new/less active guy. I can't tell you how heartbreaking it is when people don't come to church because nobody was their friend. It's so important that we be friends with anyone and everyone who walks in those doors, no matter who they are or what they look like. That's something I've always admired about dad. He has a true gift for going up to strangers and just being a friend. It's a gift I'm still learning, but I am so grateful to have such a great example. We'll have to watch that Jason Bourne movie when I get home :) (btw, yes, every Hispanic nationality
I've come across uses aguantar. It's such a great word!)
Ed week sounds like it'll be a blast when I get home! I'd love to go! We'll get the whole family together! That's a bummer about grandpa, though. He's not doing too hot, is he? I'd love to participate in the
fast, and I'll even send them a letter. It's the least I can do. I love my grandparents. I've been blessed with a great family- nuclear and extended.
I'd love to have the Hull Reunion shirt mailed to me! It just occurred to me how weird it'll be to wear tee shirts every day, and not just for service, playing sports, and sleeping :/ I think that's all on my end.
Much love,
Elder Hull
Yes, I am indeed alive! I'm fine, if a little sick.
First order of business- as of last Friday, we missionaries have been given Facebook to hasten the work. So far it's been pretty cool- an easier way to communicate with the people we teach. I've just got to exercise some discipline to not look friends up. Just keep in mind that email is the way I'm to communicate with y'all back home. I can't reply to most of the things you post. This doesn't mean I'm cold-shouldering you, I'm just following the rules. Please, though, by all means, go ahead and like and comment on the stuff I post. It means a lot to me. It'd be super cool to have you guys help with a Facebook chat lesson sometime (if we're allowed to do that). There's a lot of stuff that's still really unclear concerning Facebook. We have a bunch of new videos to watch concerning how to proselyte on Facebook, so we'll figure it out :) It's kind of funny, because I always joked that I would get Facebook during my last transfer. Guess I was off by two transfers!
We had a super cool lesson with a young couple named Michael and Katteryn. They live in the same apartment, with his mom, and they're super cool. Michael and I share a lot of interests. They've been
through a lot in the church. Once upon a time, Freeport and Lynbrook were one Ward, and the bishop wasn't such a great bishop. He offended an awful lot of people, most of whom haven't returned to the church, and it seems like they likely never will. He told Michael that he can't pray, and the members made Katteryn feel very judged and unwelcome. We were able to break through with them, though. It's kinda funny how the Lord has been preparing me to teach M and K long before the start of my mission. We made it clear to them that we are not here to pressure them into marriage, nor are we there to pressure them to go anywhere they feel uncomfortable. Katteryn said she wants to go, but only when
it feels right to her. The Freeport branch is different, and I know that if we keep going in this vein, the Lord will touch their hearts, and they will come back to church. The more I teach people like Mike and Katteryn, the more I understand how the Savior feels concerning each of us.
Just about all the lessons we've had lately have been immensely spiritual and profound. I can see how people have progressed a ton. The Lord is hastening His work here in Freeport. Take Jose, for example. We've been trying to get him to pray for a long, long, long time, like since before I got here. At the end of the lesson, Elder Benitez had the inspiration to whisper in Jose's ear what to pray, primary style. The spirit was SO strong in that blessed little shop. Heavenly Father was crying tears of joy that evening, because one of His lost sons was beginning to talk to Him for the first time in his ~50 years of life. Prayer is so powerful, let us all remember that God is anxious to hear our prayers. He probably feels a lot like you do, mom, when I don't write you ;)
It means a lot to me that dad was a friend to this new/less active guy. I can't tell you how heartbreaking it is when people don't come to church because nobody was their friend. It's so important that we be friends with anyone and everyone who walks in those doors, no matter who they are or what they look like. That's something I've always admired about dad. He has a true gift for going up to strangers and just being a friend. It's a gift I'm still learning, but I am so grateful to have such a great example. We'll have to watch that Jason Bourne movie when I get home :) (btw, yes, every Hispanic nationality
I've come across uses aguantar. It's such a great word!)
Ed week sounds like it'll be a blast when I get home! I'd love to go! We'll get the whole family together! That's a bummer about grandpa, though. He's not doing too hot, is he? I'd love to participate in the
fast, and I'll even send them a letter. It's the least I can do. I love my grandparents. I've been blessed with a great family- nuclear and extended.
I'd love to have the Hull Reunion shirt mailed to me! It just occurred to me how weird it'll be to wear tee shirts every day, and not just for service, playing sports, and sleeping :/ I think that's all on my end.
Much love,
Elder Hull