Dear Family,
This week has been well, lets just say that it was Good. But I feel
as if better, and best were a possibility that due to not working hard
enough was not attained. Its interesting as a missionary, because as you
come to the close of a week you get a chance to look back on your work
and see how you did. In PMG it says that as a missionary you should want
to, and even be excited to account for you actions. Dont blame the lack
of progress, if it is there, or issues on something, or
anyone else. As children of God, and with the Gift of the Holy ghost we
are able to pray, receive strength, receive guidance, and have the
ability to change our surrounding around us. One thing that actually
really just hit me, is that, in order to be excited to account for you
actions, you have to have good things to account for. Your not really
going to be excited to tell you district leader that you and your
companion did nothing to help the work. Nah probably not. Haha! But at
the same time, can you imagine the Joy at being able to look at your
leaders and be able to say, this is whats has happened, we have
progressed and so has the Area.
This principle does not only apply to missionary work but also to
life. When we come to the judgement bar, we are going to have to account
for our actions to the lord. At the last day, will we be able to look
god in the eye and say that our works are good? Or are we going to have
to look at him, and say that we could have done better. Or that we
didn't even try. I can only imagine the look on our Heavenly Fathers
face as he sorrowfully watches you leave his presence because you didnt
do your best. (Alma 5:16 - 19) So, I dont know about you guys. But I
want to be able to sit in line and get super excited as I wait to have
my Personal Interview with him and share with him all the Good things
that I have done. And how I have used the atonement of Jesus Christ to
become clean.
Haha, ok family, sorry for that little rant. But, that principle
has kind of being weighing on my mind for a while now and I love sharing
what I have been learning with you guys. Haha! So this week we had the
amazing opportunity to go down to Brighton on tuesday. I wrote you guys
on Monday and then basically went back to work so that we could take our
P-day on Tuesday and fit better with the members schedule. I love the
Ocean guys. Seriously. I want to live there so bad one day.... well by
the ocean. Brighton has a really weird beach made out of fist sized
stones. Yay. Haha so we got to go down there and just walk around and
see all the shops... I may have bought a 99£ suit. But hey, it looks
dang good, it was on sale, and its gonna last so I thought I might as
well get it now and save my self the trouble of finding one of the same
quality and price later in my mission. :) At least Im not like my
ex-companion. He just bought a 250£ watch from Hugo boss. Thats about
450$. I nearly died when I heard he was doing that. WAYYYY To much
money. Just the thought of spending that much money for something so
small makes me sick. Mom and Dad, you trained me well.
We had a zone conference on Thursday and that was brilliant. There
is nothing better then a Zone confernce. The spirit of revelation is so
strong and it seems to be directly received for you. Your investigators.
Your spiritual growth. I think I'm gonna miss those the most.
Saturday was a sad day. We have been living in a 4 man flat for a
good month now and it was so much fun. But, now... my old companion and
his boy have officially moved to Haywards Heath. Granted we seem to find
more time now to relax and sleep. Haha, dont worry we always followed
the rules. Our down time, just wasnt really down time. :) But now we
have an entire house to ourselves and it feels huge. Still super nice,
but just emptier. I feel like an empty Nester. Haha!
Sunday I had a really cool experience. After church the Bishop
pulled me aside and said that he just had an interview with a 12 year
old member of the ward, Luke. His Dad left his mom, and it really split
the family. Luke has found it a little hard I think to have that father
figure pulled away from him. But the ward has been great and has really
helped the family. But, the bishop told me that Luke was able to receive
the Aaronic Priesthood and is going to become a deacon. The bishop
asked him who he wanted to ordane him and he Said he wanted me to do it.
Ahh man! I had gotten close to the kid, but this just feels like an
amazing Honor. Haha, especially the kind of personality he has. He likes
to push people away when they get to close, so he can be a bit bristly
at times. But, its pretty cool to know that he asked me to do it.... Now
i just have to remember what to say. Haha!
Anything else I can tell you guys? Im going to a funeral today? A
LA in Haywards Heath just recently popped back up on our screens. No one
knew she was living in Haywards Heath until her husband died and a
bishop in Utah who converted her, found out, called up our bishop, and
away the elders went. I got to teach her the Plan of Salvation on
Sunday. Let me tell you, there is nothing like giving someone the Hope
that they are going to see their loved ones again. That they can be
sealed for time and for all eternity, and that Gods mercy extends to
them even now. And they can accept the gospel. Her face was priceless.
There have been a few really amazing experiences the last couple weeks
that have really just humbled me. Im starting to REALLY see how much I
have and am starting to appreciate it more and more. I was able to bear
my testimony on Eternal Families. I was able to say that because my
parents are both faithful and active in the Church of Jesus Christ, I
have been to sealed to them. And that we never have to be separated. Im
sealed to my brother and sisters who I love so much and never want to
part with. This Gospel truly blesses families. And not just for this
life, but for eternity.
Dad, it almost made me cry to imagine you hooked up to tubes and
monitors and such in a hospital. Mom, sitting on an uncomfortable
hospital couch. Its like a freaking movie! Haha! But, Im glad to hear
that you are alright. You have to get better. We have to play that game
of catch when I get back. ;)
Mom, you do so much for the entire family. This past conference
really hit on the importance of Women, and their role in raising,
nurturing, and loving their children. I felt so blessed being able to
listen to the talks, and immediately have MY mother come into my mind. I
want a wife who is willing to do that for our kids. I want them to have
what I had.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATE!!!!!!! AND TANIA!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, I didnt tell
you guys that last week. or the week before. Im terrible with Birthdays.
Mom, can you send me a list of all of them. Ill try to memorize them as
best as I can. Haha.
Caleb... there is no way that you are taller then me. Its a rule
that as my little brother you have to remain littler then me. Nate
already broke that rule, but he is a rebel. You are a good kid though.
;) Haha, nah, Im gonna get back home and have to look up at 2 of my little brothers. Its ok, because im still the best looking. ;) Hows that back flip coming?
Simeon!!!!!! I bet you wrecked it on the wrestling matt. My little brother powns.
Issac, how are you going to be? 11 or 12? I think its 12. Man, my
siblings are getting old.... I feel old. Nates old. Mom and Dad.......
Haha, are awesome. Gotcha.
Stephanie thank you so much for that letter. Im still trying to
forget my self right now. Like you said, its hard to completely shrug
off the natural man and become like Christ. But, its something that I am
defiantly striving for. And something that my mission will definatly
help you with. I've had a couple times when I've been in the shower or
something at 7 in the morning and realize that Im thinking about my
Investigators or service that we have, etc. Haha! I used to sing. I only
hope it progresses from there.
Wow, I just looked back at my letter. LONGGGGGGGGGG. Ill leave that
for now. Ohh ya. Mom, there is a missionary website for shipping. Its
called globalmissionshipping.com Its made by RM's for Missionaries. It might be worth taking a look.
Love all you guys so much. You are in a great place, with a great
bishop who loves all of you and prays earnestly to know how to help not
only you but the entire ward. Leaders are truly ordained of god.
Elder Hale
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