Excerpts from an email to Elder Hull's Mom:
Let's see- what happened this week?
Well, we had an amazing lesson with a guy named Rocky. It was on the street, but it was a very powerful lesson. He's just so prepared to hear the message- it's almost like he was made for it. When we said the closing prayer, he was crying from the spirit present. Haven't met with him since, but we're keeping at it.
The weirdest experience of my mission also happened this week. We were talking to a guy who, while not interested in taking the discussions, is a super cool and friendly guy, when another Hispano walks up. This guy was quite rotund and old. He sees us, pulls me into a hug, and starts kissing my chest. I pushed him away, and he was like 'this is my church, this is my church,' and then did the same to Elder Benitez. He switched like, twice, and then insisted we come and visit him. When we said we'd call him, he left into the laundromat. Talking to Norberto, the first guy, the other guy sounds like he's gay. Yeah. Definitely the weirdest experience of my mission.
Just now I got to talk to Hermana Santiago, one of the Missioneras in Westbury right now. It was so great to get an update on my old area. She told me hat the Haws family really misses me, and that the kids cried after I left. 😭 I love that family. Hermano Haws is going to carry Westbury to greatness on his shoulders- he's that awesome. The only sad thing is that Axel- a guy I taught who has some very serious problems- went off the deep end, and one night he started cursing the Elders and threatening them, and they haven't been back since. It's especially sad, because when I left he was doing so well.
Javy is doing great. We had a great little visit with him, where he told us a lot about his current struggles that are keeping him from serving a mission. One specifically is smoking. When we called and set the visit up we were driving, and right when we called he had a cigarette held up to a lighter. The Lord is very involved in his young man's life. It's plain to see. He just has such a desire to change, to do the right thing, and to serve a mission, and I know he'll get there. He's just got some work to do. Perhaps learning how to use the atonement is what he needs to be prepared to serve a mission. Javy says that Elder Benitez and I have inspired him a ton, and that we are the missionaries who have changed him the most. He's going to be very sad when we leave. I'm going to keep writing him after the mission, though. I want to be at his sealing.
We had a really great testimony meeting today. Everyone cried. Elder Benitez and Javy bore their testimonies, and, because I feel like I'll be leaving in a week or two, I bore mine. The spirit was so palpable and powerful. There were a lot of really good testimonies.
Well, that's two hurricanes I've been robbed of. First Joaquin and now Hermine. We were supposed to get a torrential downpour on Sunday, but we're just now getting some strong, gusty winds. Oh well, I guess that's a good thing. It's really started to cool down, though. I love it! I think I've embraced the fact that I love the cold more than the heat. Sweater weather is the bomb! I'm excited to be able to wear my cardigans again. How would you feel about me giving away/leave my short-sleeved shirts here? It would save space for me to not being them home, and I'm not going to ever use them after the mission. The only reason I can think of in favor of taking them home is to see if Spencer would use them. Anyway, I'm excited for autumn!
I'm glad you and Spencer had a great time in Arizona. I've worked with a lot of missionaries from Arizona, and there's actually a ton of saints down there. One of my ancestors on dads side actually helped settle in Arizona. William Walker. Cool guy. Education week looks like it was a blast, too. Next year we'll all go. I'm excited for that.
I love you and dad a ton, and I miss y'all. Yesterday was actually a pretty good day- Caroline, Kaitlyn, Madi, Aunt Jenny, you, and dad all emailed me :) haven't gotten that many emails at the same time from so many people I love so much in a while.
Love you all :)
Elder Hull
Let's see- what happened this week?
Well, we had an amazing lesson with a guy named Rocky. It was on the street, but it was a very powerful lesson. He's just so prepared to hear the message- it's almost like he was made for it. When we said the closing prayer, he was crying from the spirit present. Haven't met with him since, but we're keeping at it.
The weirdest experience of my mission also happened this week. We were talking to a guy who, while not interested in taking the discussions, is a super cool and friendly guy, when another Hispano walks up. This guy was quite rotund and old. He sees us, pulls me into a hug, and starts kissing my chest. I pushed him away, and he was like 'this is my church, this is my church,' and then did the same to Elder Benitez. He switched like, twice, and then insisted we come and visit him. When we said we'd call him, he left into the laundromat. Talking to Norberto, the first guy, the other guy sounds like he's gay. Yeah. Definitely the weirdest experience of my mission.
Just now I got to talk to Hermana Santiago, one of the Missioneras in Westbury right now. It was so great to get an update on my old area. She told me hat the Haws family really misses me, and that the kids cried after I left. 😭 I love that family. Hermano Haws is going to carry Westbury to greatness on his shoulders- he's that awesome. The only sad thing is that Axel- a guy I taught who has some very serious problems- went off the deep end, and one night he started cursing the Elders and threatening them, and they haven't been back since. It's especially sad, because when I left he was doing so well.
Javy is doing great. We had a great little visit with him, where he told us a lot about his current struggles that are keeping him from serving a mission. One specifically is smoking. When we called and set the visit up we were driving, and right when we called he had a cigarette held up to a lighter. The Lord is very involved in his young man's life. It's plain to see. He just has such a desire to change, to do the right thing, and to serve a mission, and I know he'll get there. He's just got some work to do. Perhaps learning how to use the atonement is what he needs to be prepared to serve a mission. Javy says that Elder Benitez and I have inspired him a ton, and that we are the missionaries who have changed him the most. He's going to be very sad when we leave. I'm going to keep writing him after the mission, though. I want to be at his sealing.
We had a really great testimony meeting today. Everyone cried. Elder Benitez and Javy bore their testimonies, and, because I feel like I'll be leaving in a week or two, I bore mine. The spirit was so palpable and powerful. There were a lot of really good testimonies.
Well, that's two hurricanes I've been robbed of. First Joaquin and now Hermine. We were supposed to get a torrential downpour on Sunday, but we're just now getting some strong, gusty winds. Oh well, I guess that's a good thing. It's really started to cool down, though. I love it! I think I've embraced the fact that I love the cold more than the heat. Sweater weather is the bomb! I'm excited to be able to wear my cardigans again. How would you feel about me giving away/leave my short-sleeved shirts here? It would save space for me to not being them home, and I'm not going to ever use them after the mission. The only reason I can think of in favor of taking them home is to see if Spencer would use them. Anyway, I'm excited for autumn!
I'm glad you and Spencer had a great time in Arizona. I've worked with a lot of missionaries from Arizona, and there's actually a ton of saints down there. One of my ancestors on dads side actually helped settle in Arizona. William Walker. Cool guy. Education week looks like it was a blast, too. Next year we'll all go. I'm excited for that.
I love you and dad a ton, and I miss y'all. Yesterday was actually a pretty good day- Caroline, Kaitlyn, Madi, Aunt Jenny, you, and dad all emailed me :) haven't gotten that many emails at the same time from so many people I love so much in a while.
Love you all :)
Elder Hull