Hey Family!
Sorry, if this letter has spelling and grammar errors in it. My fingers are about to fall off. Haha! Its getting really cold here. Im starting to look at scarfs for the first time. Its just so humid that its a different kind of cold. It gets into your bones. Its damp. And as all scouts know, its better to be dry. Dry is good. Damp. NO! Haha! But luckily, I found a warm winter coat as a flat find, and its nice! And I have the one I got from the MTC but that makes me look like a marshmellow and people dont like talking to giant Marshmellows. Maybe, if it gets colder. Dad, I was joking. Haha! Im not going to come back swearing. Hopefully. 2 years is a long time. Haha! The Kababs here are HUGE! They are so good though..... Im actually craving one right now. I like the Chicken Kababs better then the Lamb ones though. I find the Lamb way to salty. But seriously, it just kind of pours out of the peta bread. I've talked to some missionaries from Europe and they say Euroes are similar but different. Euroes are closed? Anyways. The Fish and Chips here are so good. But, still HUGE! I cant eat all of the stuff they get me. Im not a big Fish person either I've discovered. The fish here is still really good, but I'd rather get a leg of Lamb or something. They need more lamb in America. The Chocolate here is so good though. If you were to try it, side by side with a American one. It doesnt even compare. ITS SO GOOD! Oh, and the Currey! Indian food here is big. Its the number one food in England. Which is kinda ironic. But, I love the curreys and can actually make a pretty decent one myself. :) I've really taken to cooking. So, ya. 20 pounds to send a package or about 30-35 Us dollars. Its cheaper to ship things to America then to ship it from America to here. I'll get you guys a christmas package. :) Dad, you talking about your kids moving away.... it would take me 15 years to get my med degree in America.... It would only take me 7 here. And they are better schools... and they love life experience so a mission would get me into a good school. So, im actually debating comeing over here for my schooling. Mom, Sister Pelham understands. Haha, she just likes to get in contact with other moms and swap stories. :) Oh, and my wrist. Its actually been complaining me for a while, even back home it was a little bit. It just hurt to do Push-ups and stuff. But, I was at mutual over here one night, and we were playing a rough house game where you had to grap wrists and then kinda throw each other around trying to hit a bucket..... boys. Anyways It was me and the Young Mens leader last, and he threw me hard. I got out, looked at my wrist and it hurt so bad. It was red, and when I got home I noticed I had devoloped a bump on my wrist that portrudes about 3 cm out of the skin. Not puctured, just swelling. So i got a brace on it. The gas thing was fine. Just a routinely check up. Mom, if you are going to send a package for christmas, could you possibly get a jumper in there? They really help. Apparently you can get some for 10$ at a Banana Republic outlet store in provo and they are really nice. All of that is according to my recently left utah companion. :)
Ok, that stuff is now out of the way. Not a lot of super amazing things have happened this week. I guess the best thing is that we are actually teaching more and more. We had three member present teaches on Saturday and it was crazy running around trying to get everything done. Haha! Its great to move out of the Finding part of being a missionary and move into the teaching part of it. Hopefully baptizing part of it. :) We still have to find more people, but Uckfield is really small. Haha, we have had problems Contacting the same people 2 to 3 times now on the high st. We didnt like knocking before, because it just wasnt effective, but I think that we are going to have to move into that area now. The lord will lead us to the right people though. :)
All of the investigators that came to church last week came again to church this week. :) That was the best part as well as seeing the one of them(Natalie) Had an obsticle in the way of her coming. But she was able to overcome it and came to Sacrement Meeting anyways! :) Its always amazing to watch people grow.
We had a great experience last night being able to see an ex-communicated member, get re-baptized. She asked to have her name removed from the church, realized the mistake she made a few years later, and decided to come back. She has had to wait for 3 years to be re-baptized as her case has to go all the way up to the first presidency. But, it was amazing to see how happy she was when she came up out of the water. Joy, just doesnt seem to express her emotion. It made me think of a Cliche. You dont realize what you have until its gone? She realized what she missed. And then I thought about my mission. The best part about my mission is that I dont have to loose it. I apply the principles more in depth in my life, see the difference in me, and then go out and I see people who dont have the Gospel in their lives. What a contrast between us and them. We stopped a Man once on the street, and we said we were sharing a message of happiness. He swore at us, said "oh, and you guys look so happy." Very sarcasticly.... while me and my companion smiled. Haha! He was right. We are SOOOOOO Happy. We are Joyful. We have something that really has changed our lives. And I dont have to loose it to find out.
I got to teach the lesson in Gospel principles yesterday and it was all about our relationship with God. One of the sections was how to get closer to him. 4 things. 1. Beleive that he is there and he loves us. 2. Pray. 3. read your scriptures, and I cant remember the 4th one.... Im terrible. Haha! But I have been able to see myself get closer to God through those 4 things. Not only me, but my boy! He is a recent convert and I have seen him grow. Its amazing. It was so cool to get the pictures with simeon and issac and dad and Uncle Glen. In one of simeons pictures Tania was in the Background..... Reading her Scriptures... I hope. Other wise this points void. But it made me smile so much to see her reading! My family. I love you guys so much. I can not tell you how much I want you guys to get closer to God. Feel that change. As Maren said. As we get closer to Christ or God, we change as a direct result. How beautiful. I love you family. I have 1 min left so I have to go. Love you all so much.
Elder Hale
p.s. Caleb, Ill be praying for you and your play. You will do great.
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Showing posts with label Jacob. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jacob. Show all posts
Monday, November 11, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
November 4th 2013 Jacob
Hey Family,
So first I have to ask and answer some questions. Caleb. A week before a show we felt completely unprepared. We realized that we could have been working harder the entire time and we never felt ready. But also take courage. The one week became hell week. Thats actually a good thing. Everyone realizes that they need to get down and put some real work into things. The tech, gets everything done. Most of the kinks worked out on the lighting as well as the sound systems. The director usually gets a final image of what she or he wants the show to be like. and you yourself put a lot more work in a get prepared. Do your best, be the best you can be, and you will have the best experience ever. If the rest of the show sucks, then be the best part of the show. ;) Haha!
Mom, Sister Pelham in my ward sent you an email. She has been wondering for the past 2 weeks if you have gotten it. Have you? You might want to check your junk folder of just really clean out your email. ;) I also heard of this great website called globalmissionshipping.com which is supposed to ship missionaries packages cheaply and swiftly. Guaranteeing it in 2 days. Its kinda of like costco but for shipping. :)
And do you guys think it is wise for me to send a package home? I really want to, but its about 20 quid to send. Let me know what you guys think so I can start preparing..... the chocolate here is 5x's better then anything america has... just saying. ;)
Oh ya.... would you guys get mad at me if I came home with a swearing problem? The D word and H word here are not swear words and they kinda get ingrained in your vocabulary when the ward mission leader says "lets get that D*** baptism!" Seriously. Its super funny sometimes. I've fought for 6 months but I'm finding it getting harder and harder now. I may have shocked my trainee once or twice.....IM RIGHTEOUS!! I promise.
So this week has been a good one. We have had really good days... and really sucky days. But, good days first. We have had amazing miricles. Sunday was probably the best day ever. On saturday we got a member to come with us on a teach to a former investigator named Natalie. She has three little kids and a really sad back story. She is from france, and is one of the nicest people you have ever met. But she used to be involved in Scientology and that really sucked life out of her spritual side. We invited her to church.... and she said yes! Thats my first investigator ever to come to church. Mine! Found, taught, Invited! WOOHOO! Ok, ok. Lets be real hear. God, did all of it. Everything just fell into place. Not only that, but when we got her to church she was having a great time in sacrement meeting and then thats when things got a little bit sticky. Her oldest son wanted to go home and was really sad. I had to teach gospel principles as we ANOTHER investigator as well. Ill tell you that later. So i left my Companion and Elder Linden my ex companion to go out and talk to her and just invite her in, if she wants or maybe even give a thought out there. I didnt know. But they went out and they had her fellowshipper come out as well and she just let loose. Her husband just got up and left the family one day. The kids have really been missing him and they tried to get in contact with him, just so the kids could talk to him. But it was 3 days later, after they left a voicemail, that he called and it wasnt a very long or good call. The oldest son is really missing his dad and wants to be with him. Natalie is having a hard time to try and deal with him. She doesnt know if she wants to move back to East Grinstead or not and is just at a loss as for what to do. The fellowshipper, Kursteen Graabek, was amazing. She told her that she was her friend now. That this ward is just a big family and they just talked. She really needed it. Elder M ( my companion) and Elder Linden went out and talked to the oldest son Ewin. They had a good talk and eventually he went to primary and she went to releif society. We set up a return apointment and are going to be seeing them again. I think we broke the ice with Ewin as well. The kids are 10, 7, and 3. Sweetest family ever. Can you guys pray for them that she will receive guidence as what to do, as well as realize that this is the church that she needs. That this gospel can help her.
Alright, that was the first one. Second Miricle. We were on our way to church, Natalie following behind us in her car. When Kursteen got a text from Joanna, A former, that she had helped fellowship. Joanna was asking if she could come to church. :) What?! Haha! So we got her a ride and she came. A lot of the youth got up and gave their testimony and she was so touched by the power and sincerity of it all. We have a great youth group in Haywards Heath Ward. She then went to Gospel Principles where for some reason the Ward Mission leader asked me to give a lesson on faith. Thats not what usually we would have given the lesson on. But we did it gladly. We had an amazing lesson about faith in the savior and acting upon that faith. Apparently I said something right, in reality i think the spirit used the gift of tongues to turn what I was saying into something good. HAHA! Because she got up in Releif society next hour and bore her testimony. I had so many people come up to me after wards saying how beautiful it was. She came up to me after church and told me how what was said in Gospel Principles really touched her and gave her the courage to bear her testimony..... I didnt know what to say. That was amazing. We have an apointment with her this wednesday and we are going to invite her to be taught again. :)
Missionary work is amazing. You can see so much good come out of it. Me and companion had a day this week where everything we had was canceled. We litterly turned 4 good hours of teaching into finding. Thats enough to melt anyones brain. Haha! It was misserable as well. But I look at that now, and it only makes moments like this get so much better. This week, for some reason, I completely destroyed Either 12:27. I read it, but I wanted to know everything about this scripture and HOW god makes us stronger. HOW, he turns our weekness into strength. I learned a lot but the one thing I really want to share is my new favorite bible story. Its a parrible that I have never hear of before in Luke chapter 18, verses 10 through 14.
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Maybe its the drama kid in me. But I can just see this publican. Standing behind this Pharisee and thinking about how he has so much to improve. He walks up, cant even lift his eyes to heaven, doesnt feel like he can look up to God. He hits his chest. A sign of his repentence and sorrow for the things that he has done, or for the weaknesses he has. He hits his chest. Tears streaming down his face. And says in basically 7 words this. God... be.. merciful to me.... a sinner. He humbled himself before God. He was humbled and because of that he became exalted. Its not the biggest parable or maybe one of the most powerful. But, when I read that it hit me so hard. I can see me and in that man. Sometimes standing as a missionary, not even looking up to god and saying. God! Please. Forgive me. Forgive my weekness. Forgive my sins. And help me. Help me become better. Mold me with your hands. Make me the son of God that I can become. Mom, I aboslutly love the scripture in Mosiah that you shared. King Benjamin was right. We are absolutly nothing to God. But.... we are also everything. We are his Children. We are litterally his offspring. He wants us to become like him. We are not even as the dust of the earth by ourselves. BUT! With GOD! We can become even as he is. Because of the Sacrifice of his Holy Son, we can become even as our father in heaven is. How amazing is that? That mans as fallen and weak and fragile as we are... can become like GOD? All because of love. But he cant force us to be like him. We have to choose! That is why we must be humble. Because that is admiting that the only way to exaultation is through the holy messiah. Jesus Christ. ACTS 4:12. Neither is there asalvation in any other: for there is none other bname under heaven given among men, whereby we must be csaved. WOW! And then we read in Alma chapter 7:11-13 all that christ did for us. Pains, suffering, afflictions, our sins. Everything. Christ has been through that... Why? We are as the dust of the earth. Why? Because we are God Children. You are special. That book is a childrens book that describes the one principle that if we never forget, can help us get through anything. Remeber God loves you more than anything. I love how we are all so week. Yet can be made so powerful through him and his love. Because thats what Christs atonement really is. The highest form of love that became an action. And that thought alone, humbles me. And makes me beleive that he CAN make me better. I love you all so much. This principle is one that I hope I can always remember and that I wish the world would know. I hope that, that actually made any sense. Haha! If not... well I apologize. ;)
Its getting cold here. Its as cold as utah is in winter and its autumn still. Haha! Its also really dark. Its getting dark here at 5. Thats to soon. Im out at 7 feeling apostate because I feel like its 9 and I should be home. Haha!
Halloween was great. We were going to go knocking in a small town and we met a man who was selling poppies, a war memorial thing, door to door. We asked how it was going and he said "Either people are out, or their hiding because they think Im a trick or treater!" Haha! Brits hate halloween..... wait... we cant go knocking. No one will open their door! The one time we decide knocking would be a good idea and we do it on the one day of the year the knocking is probably the least effective thing to do! Haha! But its ok because we went to the hospital and got my wrist checked out, and then went and taught a wonderful lesson to an investigator and LA family. WOOHOO! Haha! Halloween was good this year.
Well I got to go guys. I have a gas guy showing up at our flat for an inspectian. yay. Haha! ;) Love you guys all so much. Talk to you guys later. Bye!!!
Elder Hale
Monday, October 28, 2013
October 28th 2013 Jacob
Dear Family,
I love this gospel! Haha. This past week has been awesome. I want to share with you guys my letter I sent to president because it was a really cool experience, but I dont want to right it again. Haha!
Dear President,
This past week has been amazing. I have felt and seen God help us in so many ways to help this work carry onward, as well as helping me progress. Monday and tuesday were ok. I had fallen into a state of hopeless I would say. It just didnt seem like anyone would talk to us or want to learn more. Wednesday was the worst day of all. It just wasn't productive it felt like. That night we had two families in our area that we were going to visit. The first family was amazing. We had a great lesson and we challenged them to move forward with us with their less active children. They were excited as well as us. The next family though only gave us a half an hour and they just moved into their ward. They dont really trust us yet and so when we came in talking about missionary work and referrals the whole family, especially the parents, just seemed to shut down, be cynical, and stop paying attention. We left that evening feeling very dejected. And I felt pretty alone. It seemed like the stress was finally getting to me. I'm training, Im opening up a relatively knew area while training, its a small town with smaller towns around it, I've never worked in an area like this before and don't really know how to. Everything just seemed to come to a head. I was talking to Elder Mortensen about all of this. Talking about how I felt "where is God?!" "Isn't this his work." I was quite overwhelmed and feeling utterly alone and inadequate. At the peak of these feelings and with my emotions struggling to break free... I received a call from you. Telling me, that you wanted to give me the good news about my father before I went to bed. 37 Lymphnodes removed... and not a single cancer cell. You could have waiting until the next day to call me. But God saw that I needed that. That news, and the experience DID make my emotions flow over. I felt so much love and peace come from my Heavenly Father. He knew I needed that news. Almost as if to tell me. "What are you talking about?" " Of course I'm still here." "Dont you remember?" Never have I felt so much gratitude to my Heavenly Father. That has been the most concrete witness to me that he is there. That he does love me. That this is his work. And that he will never leave me alone. We got 14 other lessons this week. We reaches the goal. According to the statistics you gave us in Zone Conference. If we are able to keep this up, we will get a baptism per month. I felt God continually in the few days [since]. We had 2 hours on Sunday to get 3 other lessons. Thats a pretty bold goal. But, with faith, God was able to help us. We got those 3 other lessons. Resulting in the total 14 teaches and a new investigator. I have never felt so good. This work is amazing. This gospel is amazing. I absolutely LOVE it. And I aboslutly love Him.
Elder Hale
This is only one experience that I had the past couple of days. But it was the Catalyst experience. It was what gave me the Faith to continue on and to see the work progress in the area. The best part is, just like Dad said in his letter, sometimes you dont make much progress. But you move a little, day by day. We didnt baptize anyone this week. We didnt meet a golden investigator, although we did get a pretty cool one. But the thing that changes was me. Having the Faith to find and the faith to go out. It changed every single day. I was happy and excited to go out. On Sunday, when we needed to get the 3 other lessons in 2 hours. We got two of them. But it was time to get going home because of accounting, and that meant contacting on the way home. Which I'm totally ok with.... but it was pouring with torrential rain. :) People dont usually like stopping in weather like that. Haha! For about 1 second I felt "Well, you tried. But your not going to meet anyone tonight, and if you do, they probably wont stop and have a small lesson with you"..... But then, I kind of punched Satan in the face, and just said "What, you talking about? This is God who is helping us! He can do anything. If I have the Faith that he will help, listen so carefully to the spirit, and then act on those promptings it will happen." We could have taken the short way home, but I felt impressed to go the long way.... and we found betty. We stopped her, covered her in our little canopy of our umbrellas and had a great lesson with her. The spirit told me to talk about direction in your life, and how our relationship with heavenly father could get us that. It was so amazing to see this puzzled expression grow across her face and see her eyes just kind of clock what we were saying. "I could really use some direction right now in my life" She said. WOW! Ok. We gave her our card and hopefully she will be calling us back. This is a tiny miracle. Just 1 lesson. But, it means the world to a missionary. It showed to me how God can do anything if we have faith, listen, and act. Acting is one of the hardest parts. Which was another principle I was blessed to learn this week.
Another cool experience that I had this week was right after Wednesday. We had just gotten done with contacting and had come home from lunch. But it was talking way longer for the dish to cook then we thought and it was either, eat or catch the bus that we needed to get. We prayed about it, got done, looked up and just took off. Haha! We grabbed our stuff, turned off the over, leaving the dish in, and ran to the bus stop. We were planning on going to see a LA, but she is in the middle of nowhere. We went to see her, and she wasn't it. The bus only comes around every hour. So we went to knock a small neighbor hood of about 4 houses. The 3rd door we knocked, we were welcomed by a very, VERY, strict atheist. He basically told us that we were waisting our time. That religion is a hoax, and we were better off to stop what we were doing. When we dug a little bit deeper, and said, that there was no evidence for anything. NO evidence for God. He said to give us one concrete physical peace of evidence. We started talking about the bible and he shredded that. We left feeling pretty dejected. We knocked the rest of the houses and by the time that we were done, we had 20 min til the bus came. So we went on a little cool nature walk. We had walked for 5 min and the whole time I was rolling over in my mind what we could have done differently with this man "mike". I started talking about it with my companion and I started "soap boxing" ,as an elder calls it, about how their is evidence. THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!!! It provides an actual experiment about how we can find out if God is there, if he loves us, if he has a plan for us. A little bit more ranty then that, but you get the picture. ;) I was walking for 20 ft before I realized my companion had stopped walking. I looked back and he looked and me and just said "why dont you go tell him this?" Answer: Because he is a mean atheist man, who we will be disturbing for the second time, and didnt want us to disturb him the first time! Haha! But we went went back. We said that if was out in his yard, we will take it as a sign and talk with him. Well he wasn't. But the spirit prompted us, and we felt like there was something we still needed to do. So we prayed. And sure enough, the answer came to go Knock on his door again. Oh man. Scary. So, we went back and we knocked. And when that man came back out. I held out a copy of the Book of Mormon and testified that this was the evidence he was looking for and of its truthfulness... We placed a copy of the Book of Mormon. Haha! He might never be taught. But, it was cool. Acting can sometimes be very scary. It can be very scary sometimes. But there is a principle that I know have a very firm testimony on. And that is the Fear of God VS the Fear of Men.
Are we so afraid of men that we are actually afraid to act in the Name of God? Are we afraid of what man is going to say so we let a moment to help push this work forward, pass by? How do we react to situations where is Mans disapproval, or Gods? I dont know if I have already told you guys this, but I asked one of my old companions once, whats wrong with being a molly Mormon? Whats wrong with that? He couldn't answer. Gods standards, and Gods expectations should be our standards and our expectations. The reason why most people aren't molly Mormons is because they don't want people seeing them living their religion. Or people making fun of them. So what if they do? Do you fear men? Or God? You are living a standard that has been decreed from the very creator of the universe. By living his principles you obtain for your self blessing that have been predicated in the very heavens about us. And what are these people, pointing from that great and spacious building getting? A need to buy some new furniture. They receive nothing. We receive Eternal life. And the praise and gratitude of our father who is in heaven. Desperately wanting us to come back to him. I have often feared the scorn of men. And have to often, not feared enough, the disappointment and consequences of God. But, hopefully this experience, and this lesson, and this mission will change me enough to become 100% fearful of God and not of Man. Like Poochenello let us let the dots and marks of the world TRY to mar us. But in the end. Let the maker of our souls, and carver of our bodies, tell us what we ARE. What we can BE. And let those Eternal truths stick and transform us.
Wow, I need to stop. Haha That is a long letter. I love you guys. Sorry if thats a little bit ranty. I once heard from a missionary, that letters home often become your second journal. I will try to do better in the future. ;) I love you guys so much. Dad, Im so grateful that you are doing well. Thank you family for being supportive and loving. I often pray for you guys. I love you very much. Stephanie, I hope you will get back to the work you love as soon as possible. By the time you get this, I know a week has past and your proably fine now. But your work is always a marvelous example to me and I thank you. Maren. The same goes for you as well. I always feel more inspired from reading your letters. :)
YA!! Send some pictures. I want to see Giant Caleb and sampson simeon. :)
Elder Hale
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
October 14th, 2013 Jacob
Hey, family so this week has been pretty awesome. The apex kind of happened last night, but still, the rest of the week was still pretty good. We had the wonderful opportunity of having a PEC meeting for Uckfield. Basically, we got all the priesthood together and talked about what we want it to become. It was amazing to hear some of the ideas and the support that we got from the members.
We are going to working in a lot of small villages. The plan? Do what they did in times of old. We are going to rent out the town hall and set up a "Mee the Mormons" Night. We are going to get a lot of Members there and hopefully a few people who just want to know what the Heck a mormon is. Missionaries havent been in this area for 40 years. Jehoviah witnesses have, but not us! Haha! So we will see what we can make this place turn into.
The Bishop asked us during that meeting to go and be with the youth every thursday night. He wants them to get more involved in the missionary work, and I plan on doing a missionary half month for the ward. Help them learn the first lesson the first week, and then have them study it out as companions during the week. On the next Thursday we would get a lot of members involved and have them be behind the doors in the church and have them invite the "missionaries" in. Haha, Im really excited to get this going.
We were also asked by the members to bear our testimonies in church... Now this is a little bit of a touchy subject because president has come out and said that Fast Sunday is really for the members, not the missionaries. So I havent born my testimony since the day I got to Haywards Heath (in church, I bear it all the time when teaching). But the mission president also said that we are to do what ever the bishop wants us to do.... so I guess we are doing it. Haha, but I was able to get up and bear my testimony with my boy. It was an amazing feeling. I still get super nervous. But you always feel the best afterwards.
So this past week we have gone through investigators like water. We were reading the Book of Mormon in all of our free time, but with exchanges, conference, appointments, DA's. Its just been really hard to read. But, we had time to go out and work. Which is good, because I don't want my Boy to think that missionary work is just sitting in a flat reading. But I digress. We had several appointments, meets, and teaches with a couple of investigators. We were dropped by 3 I think. Haha! Depressing a little bit. But its also good because it means that we dont have to waste our time playing ring around the rosey with them. We can go out and find people who really want to know the Gospel... Like Stephanie. We contacted into stephanie about 2 weeks ago. We tried to contact her several times, but we got no response. This morning, we randomlly got a text from her at 6:40 in the morning, saying that she wants to meet and learn more.... .uh OK! Haha! The lord is blessing the work here, and there are some great people that we are meeting who are ready to receive this.
Dad, I have to thank you in a weird way for the cancer experience. I dont know if I told you guys, but remember that Women in Hospice, the one who died of cancer? Well last monday we had a family home evening with the husband and daughter of Sister Yarrow. The member (Sister Pelham) felt impressed to show president monsons talk about his wife and her death... obviously a very touchy subject for a man who just lost his wife and a daughter who just lost her mother. But we felt impressed. We shared the talk, and it was dead quite afterwards. You could tell that they knew we picked it out just for them. I had no idea what they were thinking..... and then I remebered my experience with you Dad. I was able to take the brunt of the evening off of them and share how that talk applied to me and to you. And to our entire family. How we have seen, through this trial, our family get closer together. How we have seen so many blessings come from this experience. They sympathized. They knew, what it was like. They know what its like to have someone they love get the C word. We then launched into a wonderful conversation in which they shared how the trial of their wife, and mom. Really has brought the family closer together. We got to meet them! Haha, they laughed at that. But, I could never had shared that experience if I it didnt happen. We are seeing them again soon. The daughter is not a member. Hopefully she will be very soon. ;)
So as I said we finished the BOM last night. We needed to finish it fast so we elected me to read because I was the fastest and most fluent reader (something I get from mom). ;) But basically I read from the middle of Helaman to the end. But, something really cool happened near the end of the BOM. I was reading the very last column written by Moroni, when my eyes started to water. Dont worry I didnt cry. But I felt some power in those words that Moroni wrote. We then had the opportunity to do the challenge that Moroni presents to the entire world. We got to kneal down and pray. MAN! Family. This Book is soooo true. I cannot deny that it is true. In fact, Im trying to tell people that it is. ;) How great of an opportunity to be able to share that beautiful message with the world. Its beautiful. Its wonderful. And to be able to have my Boy get the same answer. DANG! Dad and mom, is this how you feel when you see your children make a right choice, or find out something that will help them for Eternity? Cause it feels good. I also over hear my boy complimenting me to the District leader during accounting. AMAZING! I cant wait to be a dad. And I really love being a trainer. For some reason the entire mission has just become that much more amazing. Its cool to be able to see someone grow right before your eyes.
I love you family. You guys are great. Thank you for supporting me. Nate, I'm sorry about Beth, I gave her a peice of my mind and called her to repentence. Caleb, I'm so jealous that you can do a back flip, or will be able to do one. Mom, are you ok? I didnt get your letter. I hope your feeling ok. I love you guys. I hope Maren is ok as well. Stephanie. Thank you for that beautiful testimony. You have changed into a beautiful daughter of God. Well you were always one.. but.. you know what I mean. Lets just say your awesome and leave it at that.
Love ya guys. - Elder Hale
Monday, October 7, 2013
October 7th, 2013 Jacob
So fam this week has been an interesting one. And so fatiguing. Not in the physical sense but in the mental sense. My trainee and I were just about to study for the day, when I asked him if he has ever read the Book of Mormon all the way through. He said No. Elder Linden's trainee has also never read the Book of Mormon all the way through. Now, as missionaries, our whole teaching and testifying... usually comes down to the Book of Mormon. If you know the BOM is true then you know that this church is true.. you know that Joseph smith was a prophet of god... yada yada yada. So it is imperetive, that you yourself can say that you have read the book all the way through, have prayed about it, and received the answer that it is true. You can receive a witness with out reading it all the way through. But as a missinoary that is a necessity. So, with permission, we are reading the book of mormon all the way through from Title page, to back cover. Its sevel hours reading at a time... and mix that in with conferece. Oh man, my head feels like jello. Im just gonna get a rugby ball today and just do something that doesnt require brain cells. Haha!
It has been exausting, but this week has also been spiritually powerful. Reading the Book of Mormon so often and Conference have filled me with the spirit to the spilling point. Conference is so amazing. The MTC, I was still making that transition to being a missionary. So this Conference was my first one as a MISSIONARY. You never have a better conference then when you are on your mission. Because you study to often, and teach so often, and talk about the doctrine... so often. You get a lot of questions. All of which I wrote down. All of which are answered. Some still require the study of the conference talks. But some, I got answered when I was watching the broadcast. There is nothing like writing some notes and then snapping your head up because an Apostle of the Lord just answered a question that you had. BEAUTIFUL! I have a whole list of things that are my Goals, Things to remember, and things to do with members from conference. I loved Elder Hales talk because it seemed to tell us of the importance of General Conferece. He told us how we can receive strength and protections, feel the spirits, and receive questions answered just by listening to General Conference. Not to mention the most important thing he said. I paraphrase. " Go home, prepare, and apply what you have learned in conference." We are being taught by the apostles, prophets, and teachers of the Lord. What are we doing with those teachings? Are we applying them into our lives and becoming better. Or are we leaving the teachings on the way side with our spiritual cup half full. Content with the little we got, or chose to take away. These teachings have been send to strengthen us! Every single talk has commitments for us to do, promises to principles we live, and reminders of convenants we are not living up to. All of these things which we should gladly look for. Strive to put into our lives and then go back and look for more.
Me and my companion already have a whole list of things to talk to members about that we heard in General Conference. Missionary work is not the Missionaries sole responsibility. Never was. But we need to be reminded of that. Hold a Family Missionary Council. Find people that you reach out to, Become their friends, and strengthen. Pray for missionary experiences, then look for them. When found, do not doubt the Lord! Go forth positively. He will give you the words to say. He will help you. D & C 84:88 "And whoso areceiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go bbefore your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine dangelsround about you, to bear you up."
I can't wait to see how this conference is going to change me. Being a trainer has opened up my eyes as well. Its kind of like being a parent. You cook for them and clean until they learn how to. You show them how to wash their clothes, how to shop, etc. You even help them get dressed. I mean that you tell them what is appropiet to wear and what is not. But, most importantly. They watch your every step. You are their supreme example. YOU, instill in them the mission values that guide them for the rest of their 2 years. Thats a pretty sobering notion. I find my self double checking everything I do now. Is this music really mission worthy? Is this tie? Does my language match a representative of Jesus Christ? Am I working my hardest? I want my boy to have every advantage that he can. And in a way, its given me a good opportunity as well to look at myself. See what I have grown laps in. See what I can do to become better. Its been great! From conference I have taken the motto Be 100% humble ,to be 100% obedience, to have the spirit 100%.
Im sorry if this letter is kind of ranty. Im still not recovered from my really focuses week end. ;) Haha. But these are some things that have been on my soul and that give me joy to share with my family and friends. I love this Church family. I love the Doctrine of Christ. For in it we receive eternal happiness. I'm grateful for a family who is strong in the faith. For goodly parents who have taught me well. Im grateful for my Church leaders who have followed the spirit and have instructed me and made me stronger. This church isnt perfect. Its full of Imperfect people. But the awesome thing, is seeing this church turn those imperfect people, INTO perfect people. Or as close as we can get. Haha!
I love you guys all so much. Thank you for the prayers. Oh by the way my companions name is Elder Mortensen. He is a convert from Utah.... Didnt know it was possible. Haha! He is 20 years old. So that makes it a little interesting. My son is older then me. :) He is from South Jordan, and lives in the shadow of the Oquer mountain temple. He is a good artist and is pretty awesome. Ill try to send some pictures.
Love yall.
Elder Hale
Monday, September 30, 2013
September 30, 2013 Jacob
So guys I am officially leaving Hawyards Heath..... to move to
Uckfield. Haha! The AP's have officially moved out and Uckfield has
taken off. We got 23 Total Teaches last week! 14 of those were Lessons
on the street that have turned into potentials and 5 of them were
teaches where we have members there. It was brilliant. We worked our
buts off. Haha! It must have been funny to watch us last night because
we were only 3 teaches short of our goal.... but we had faith and the
lord delivered. But seriously we were litterally running from less
active, to investigators, to Dinner apointment. Haha! It was great to
see how the lord blessed us. The only bummer? I left my scriptures at
the train station in Burgiss Hill. :( NO BUENO.
Story time. When the Aps left, they took their ironing board and
Iron with them. So we havent had those things for the past 5 days. We
have been using the dryer to iron them the best it can. ;) So when we
got to church yesterday, the Aps played this funny joke on us and gave
us a whole new Iron and Ironing board (a mini one). So they drop us off
at the train station and here we are boarding this train with an Ironing
board. I had taken out my scriptures to make room for them and I was
just carrying them. So we went to see a less active in Burgess Hill and
on our way back we to Haywards Heath. I left them on the station
platform. So we got off at the next station and then went back to
Burgess Hill.... and they were gone. We approuched a worker on the
platform and he took one look at us and said. "you guys lost a bible
huh?" I sheeply replied yes. He then proceeded to tell us that he put
them in the ticket office and that it closed..... one minute ago. Haha!
That was a bummer.
So ya I am moving I actually got a call from president while
Emailing. And Guess what? Im training! In a relitively new area! Im
kinda freaking out. Haha! This area has taken off and we actually have
some one with a baptisimal date. The 25th of Oct.
His name is Michael and he has been through heck. Just recently
seperated from his wife and is really humble. We challenged him to read
the BOM and he read almost the entire first book of Nephi the next
night! This guy is awesome. But... I had a more experienced companion.
Now im training and these peoples salvation is on my shoulders. Its a
real sobering experience.
Dad, you never really told me much about your mission. Where did
you serve? Did you have any leadership callings? District Leader? Zone
Leader? Trainer? Ill drop a hint to president to let me serve in one of
your areas. ;) Its good to hear that you have an 80% chance of it never
coming back. It was a shock at first to hear the C word. But I think all
of us have been blessed to receive the peace that only Heavenly father
can give to us.
Nate, I sent you an email with all of Beths Details in there to contact her. I dont know your number by heart. Her number is +447960996292. Be a man and call her. Shes in Utah right now so dont worry about the time. Have fun!
Caleb.....LEARN HOW TO DO A BACK FLIP, LEARN HOW TO DO A BACK FLIP!
Haha. That kind of knowledge can help you through out all of your stage
career. Its a talent the Director can use. Its makes you Valuable.
Mom. If you dont want Issac getting hurt... put him in Rugby. Haha!
They do things properaly and dont spear people with their heads. :)
Issac and Simeon do south like they are having a lot of fun though.
Tania and Nate. Im so happy that you guys got to go to new york.
Nate, that knowledge of how to use the public transportation system will
help you so much on your mission. Thats all you will ever use....
probably. Unless you get a car. Haha!
Well family thats all I think I have to report to you guys. I hit my sixth month mark on oct 4th.
So its pretty soon. Its weird to think that so much time has past. And
they say that it only speeds up after 6 month. Pray for me... and my
poor trainie. Haha! I love you all so much! You guys sound like you are
all having fun. Keep smiling. The gospel is what brings us joy. This
Gospel is what brings us peace. We have it in our lives. So smile. We
have a lot to smile for.
Elder Hale
Monday, September 23, 2013
September 23, 2013
So Im really kind of jealous right now. Haha!
Everyone in my family is going to New York but me! Haha. And you saw
Wicked! Ok. ya Envy. Haha! So I hope everything is going ok with Steph
and Maren. I havent gotten any of there Emails recently and Im wondering
why. I do apologize about not sending pictures..... but I am a guy. ;)
Haha thats not always the first thing thats on my mind. But if Nate will
get on his EMail then you guys might be able to see some people I work
with more through there Facebook Profiles. Its weird to serve in a
First world Contry. All of the people around you can actually find you
on Facebook and stalk you. Kinda wierd. Haha!
So ya, Im not dead. The berry thing was just ok. But, ahh man am I
getting the Mick taken out of me... MY MISSION PRESIDENT KNOWS!!!! Haha!
The AP's told him and apparently he was laughing really hard. Haha! The
Aps are actually with the Mission president today setting up transfers
so We will see if I get moved. Its been about three months that I've
been in Haywards Heath and I was only in my Last are for 3 months so we
will see what happeneds.
This past week has been a little harder then usual. We have been
spending more and more time in Uckfield then in Haywards Heath and there
is no teaching pool so we are usually finding all day long. We havent
really found any one yet and that can be a little bit dissapointing.
But, the work here is special and I have had some really cool
experiences this week. We had a DA in Haywards Heath on Thursday and it
was later so by the time they dropped us back to Uckfield it was 20 to 9
and it was a long day. So I was thinking they were going to drop us off
at the Flat. But my companion asked them to drop us off at the end of
the High street. So they did. We started walking up and there wasnt
really anyone out, but we were stopping the odd person and trying to get
them interested. But no luck. We got half way up the high street and we
saw a man sitting at the bus stop. He was really bandaged up and I
remember seeing him that morning. So we stopped and introduced ourselves
and did the opened of we are hear to teach people about god and his
love for us.... This man looks up and goes, Paraphrasing, "Why did you
stop?" We were kind of shocked. And he said. "Why are you here right
now. At one of the lowest points in my life and you just show up?" He
was really looking sincere so we kept talking to him and we get a load
out of this guy. He is an Alcoholic. That night his wife and him decided
to seperate. So we was waiting to get a bus to Devon. He has been going
to AA meeting to try and help him but he said that he could never get
past the first step. Which is believe that you are powerless to solve
this yourself. And find faith in God. And have Faith that he can help
you. Well he was thinking about that and how he didnt feel like he
could... When we showed up. Ooh, just getting goose bumps while talking
about it. How cool is that? We randomly decided to walk up the High
street and we find this amazing guy who is ready and willing to listen.
We talked to him and he was so skeptic. But we were able to convice him
to give us his contact info so that the Missionaries in Devon could get
in contact with him there. We ended up talking to him for 45 min to an
hour. Way longer then we thought we would be out for. Hopefully this man
will seek the faith that he is looking for. We probably wont find out
what happened to him. Buts its cool to know that we were part of his
story, if even for a little while. Haha! But unfortunaly he is moving so
we cant teach him! Haha! ;)
We are going to have to be working our tells off this week. We are
mainly going to be in uckfield and we have a goal of teaching 2 other
lessons a day. So about a total of 14 other lessons in the whole week.
Total teaches for about 24. Thats a lot. We set our goals high. but we
feel that if the lord is with us. Then we can acomplish them. So pray
that we will have to strength this week to keep going. Finding for 7
days straight is a killer. :) Pray that we can stay optomistic and
Enthusiastic.
Dad, Im so glad to hear that you are doing better. Its been a
strange blessing in a way to hear that you were sick. I've learned so
much and me and my companion have really seen each other grow. I hope
that by the time I come home that you guys wont even recognize me. Both
spiritually, mentally, and physically. People say that I still look
little. And Im hoping in about 18 months I'll look like a man. Haha!
Nate, you got to get in contact with Beth on facebook some how. She
is leaving next week. Mom, if you could be great and lean on him a
little bit. Haha!
Maren sent me a picture of The three older boys. Me, nate, and
caleb. And I have it sitting right in front of me on my desk. Its really
tender to look at that picture and realize that my brothers are growing
up. They are not the little boys they used to be. I look at them and
hope they will become great men and it makes me think of the Kind of
example I want to be for them. Hopefully I've been a satifactory one.
I love you guys so much. This work is amazing and opens up your
mind in so many ways. I hope Tania and Nate had fun. :) Caleb hows your
play going? Issac, any cool sports your playing? Simeon, are you taking
care of our wonderful mother and father?
Elder Hale
Monday, September 9, 2013
September 9th, 2013 Jacob
FAMILY!!!! What up this is Elder Hale writing from you in Uckfield,
East Sussex. Sorry, Im kinda tired. Haha! I think I have moms tired
jeans. I just laugh when I get tired. ;)
So this week has been interesting, hard, and amazing. We moved this week so that took up all of Wednesday, my Companion was out for the count on friday
because he has a blocked saliva glad that became septic. Hospital
anyone? And we are still trying to figure out this area and how to get
to Haywards Heath. So we didnt feel like we got a lot done but, we
checked out numbers at the end of the week and wow. We actually kept up
pretty good. Mostly out of the grace of Gods hand. Haha! It seemed like
so many things just fell into place this week.
Miricle number 1.
It was saturday
and we had everything planned out perfectly. Get to the bus at this
time and we will be able to get to Hawyards Heath on time to go to a DA
with a non-member being there (A miricle in itself). Well we are at the
bus station and the bus doesnt come... and still doesnt come... and 20
min later we are thinking oh no. What happened to the bus. Well this
young lady calls the bus company and we find out that the bus has broken
down and probably wont get fixed for a while. Dang! So we called every
member we could think of... but no one was able. So we were about to
call a taxi, that would have gotten us there late and 22 pounds lighter
(money here is called pounds). ;) Well I was calling the taxi company
when all the sudden a member who is moving into Uckfield pulls up and
offers us a ride to Haywards Heath... Miricle! Super small but being in
a new place with no Idea where you are, well it ment the world to me
and my companion. We went to the DA. Had a wonderful lesson and went on
our way.
Miricle number 2.
On sunday,
we were kinda feeling a little down. Something about living with the
AP's is really humbling and we had a lesson that didnt go as planned. We
were trying to figure out how to get the Uckfield when there were no
buses and I was stressing. We went to go talk to the bishop and he said
he would give us one. But then he told us something else that was
amazing. So a women in brighton ward, the ward right below mine, found
out she had cancer in may... and they gave her 3 months to live. So she
came up into our ward to go to a hospice. Well me and my companion were
able to give her several blessing and get to know her and her family
quite well. She is an active mormon but her husband and daughter is
inactive, and her yougest daughter is not a member. Well I found out
that on wednesday she died. On monday
I was able to give her a blessing and it was the most surreal
experience. Giving a blessing of comfort to someone you know is going to
die... and they know they are going to die... and everyone listening
for that matter. Not a very normal everyday thing to do. But on Sunday,
the Bishop pulled us aside and said that the daughter that was
unbaptized called him after she died and started asking all of these
questiongs. Where is she? Is she still in pain? Will I ever see her
again? So many questions. She went right back down to brighton ward and
told the bishop that she wanted to be baptized! We asked the bishop what
happened. He had texted us a few days before asking for a scripture on
death and resurection in the book of mormon for the daughter to read to
her mother. We gave her alma 32. Didnt think anything of it.Bishop
thinks that while she was reading it to her mother, she started to feel
something. And then when she died she remembered the scripture and that
made her think about all of those questions and she went to the right
source to have them answered. Wow. I never felt more humbled in my life.
A women, who in life could never get her daughter baptized, in death
was able to get her baptized. And me and my companion and the bishop
were able to be a part of that. The lord works through mysterious ways
family. He really does. He uses his children to answer prayers and we
need to make sure to be ready to always receive them.
A lot of other miricles happened this week family. Just the peace
that came about Dad, was a miricle in itself. There are miricles
happening everyday and they are sometimes so small to see. But if you
look closely, you see the lords hand in your life. You have to look
though. So family I challenge you this week to look for miricles in your
life. Find ways that the lord has made something happen to help you. It
may be anything the lord is not limited. But look. Look and you will
see how much the lord loves you.
I love you family so much. Dad I'm glad everything is ok. But I
guess we kind of knew that it was going to be ok anyways. Caleb... my
little brother. I'm so proud of you kid. Your following your weird older
brothers footsteps. ;) Haha! Be better then me. Put time and work into
this talent that you have and you will go far. I know you will. Your
going to be amazing. I wish I could be there to see you perform. But Im
give peace by knowing that I'm going to be able to see you in your
Highschool shows. :)
Nate... I have a big favor to ask. Well its not really a favor for
me to ask... Im giving you a gift. There is a cute girl from my current
ward that is going to Utah around Conference time. She has not had good
experience with dating in the UK. So the mom and me have come up with a
plan. Bishop approved of course. :) I need you to take her out on a
date. Shes 17 and turned earlier this year I think. Her name is Beth and
she is pretty awesome. Can you take her on a date? Thanks. Its going to
be fun.
Love ya guys!
-Elder Hale
Monday, August 26, 2013
August 26th, 2013 Jacob
Hey guys.
WOOOO! I am so full of the spirit right now
family. I had the most wonderful opportunity to go to the London Temple
this morning for my P-day, that why this letter is a little late.
Brothers.... the temple is where its at. Nate and caleb, how long has it
been since you've done baptisms? The spirit in the temple can not be
rivaled by any other place on earth. The spirit that is there just can
not be faked or manipulated or copied by the adversary.
I had the most amazing experience this week of having 3 really amazing experiences.
1.
This week I was able to go into a catholic Church for a little while.
Me and my companion just went in for 10 min at eight and no one was
there. So we sang some hymns. The weird things was that... I felt the
spirit. And that really concerned me, not only did I feel the spirit but
my companion received revelation to go and see a recently made widow...
and when we went their she urgently did need our help. She didnt tell
anyone that day, but she had an amazing one and when she came home....
there was so husband to tell it about or to share it with. It really
made her cry. We were able to give her a blessing and able to say a
prayer and she slept the whole night away with out waking up once. It
was TRULY a miracle. But like I said it really scared me at first. Why
did this other church have a similar spirit to our church. Well, I
decided to do a test. The next day was Sunday, so I went to church on Sunday
with a mind fixed on paying very close attention to the spirit and how I
felt. Sacrament meeting was amazing. I felt the spirit even despite the
screaming children and injured babies. But the really amazing thing was
sunday
school. We went in there and had a lesson about joseph smith, the same
one you guys had... and I felt the spirit more strongly then I ever had
before. My Heart was litterally on fire and I was trying to hold back
tears. That's when I realized what was different about our church. The
other church was made for a righteous purpose.. to worship god. A very
commendable and amazing thing. So the POWER of the holy ghost was there
if you were in the right mind set. But... our church had something even
better. THE TRUTH. The doctrine that we taught was pure and simple
truth. Truth from our father in heaven the penetrated the very soul. I
gained a very strong testimony of Joseph Smith that day as well as
affirming and strengthening my testimony of this church being true. The
best part? I left church with that spirit still inside of me because I
had the GIFT of the holy ghost. The constant companionship of one of the
members of the God head. That spirit was not just in that tabernacle of
stone that we worshipped in. But also in the tabernacle of clay that my
spirit dwells in, in this mortal form.
2. This week we had the most teaches I have ever had
on my mission. 21 teaches. Thats about 3 teaches a day, which was
something me and my companion made a goal of when the first 2 days we
had an average of 3 teaches per day. So we striving very hard to make
these teaches and we were knocking 5 a side after we tried to see a
potential and we had very rude people slam the door in our face. So I
was kinda upset, but I looked at a picture of Christ on the top of a
Restoration pamplet and my heart was quickly softened and uplifted. Well
we started walking away, But I saw this man sitting out side of his
home.. it looked like an old folks home. And I suggested we speak to
this man. So we did. And we had one of the best talks I've ever had. He
was a member of a church called the Brethern.This man was amazing and he
had the strongest testimony that he was going to live again in the next
world and in the power of the savior. Well about 5 min through the
talk.. I knew he didn't want to know more, and I knew that he wasn't
going to be baptised. And after another 5 mins. We said a prayer and
left. Now we were kinda looking for the numbers. We wanted three
teaches. And that would have counted as one... but as we walked away
something strange happened. My heart broke. I have never experienced
this feeling before. I had talked to this guy a total of 10 minutes yet
the very though of him not receiving eternal glory and knowing he was
doomed to the terrestrial kingdom was just heart wrenching. I asked my
self why? Why? Why couldnt you have said yes and receive all that
heavenly father has to offer to you. Eventually I had to come to terms
with the fact that he was using his agency and that God would be the
judge of him and I hoped things would turn out for the best. I dont know
whats going to happen to this man. But the real realization was what I
call a Taste of Charity. A taste of the true love of Christ. For a brief
amount of time, for someone I had really no idea who he was. I felt
sorrow, that he couldn't live with God again. He had the opportunity and
he rejected it. Then I realized.... Wow. Christ and God must feel this
but 500 times stronger. How must he feel? When a ton of his children are
rejecting his word. How bad must he feel when one of us commit a sin
that takes us farther from him. I received a taste of charity that day
and I hope and pray that I will be able to continually develop it.
3. The third experience was right after we were in
the catholic church in experience 1. We walked out and we were on our
way to this widows house and I stopped some random women on the street
walking her Dog. And we had the most amazing talk. She came from a
broken family, and I came forward and started talking to her about
families and how faith in Jesus christ could bring them close together.
Haha. Well she just kind of laughed at then and I asked her why and a
really good discussion came out of that... But the sad thing is that she
rejected me 3 times. Would you like to learn more about this gospel
that can bring you close to your family? Would it be ok for us to come
over and teach you more about this amazing gospel? Would you like to
experiment on the words we are teaching and see if they can bring your
family closer? No. Same experience as number 2. As we walked away. I
almost started begging her to accept and I almost started crying because
I knew that his could help. All I could do was bear my testimony about
how I know that if it wasnt for this Gospel. That my family of 10! Would
be a lot worse off then it is now. That We could very well hate each
other. But that we dont. That we love each other and that this gospel
has brought us so much happiness into our family life. I couldnt help
but ask why she didnt want that? But again its agency. But what I'm glad
about is that while bearing my testimony, it got stronger as well.
Family, I really do know that this gospel links families through time
and all eternity. And that with this gospel and precepts that it teaches
we can be together forever through out the eternities.
Now, I hope these experiences didnt throw you guys
off. I am really happy. This week has been amazing. With those
experiences teaching me and bringing me close to my God. Thank you for
the advice letters you sent me. :) I havent read them yet, I have no
time, but I did print them off and Im going to read them. My continued
letter really did come on Wednesday. We had transfers this last week so they let you write on Wednesday
to just let you family know where you are and if you got moved or not. I
love you fam! This church is so true!!!!!!!! Grow strong in it.
Recognize the divine potential that you hold and then practice and
develop that royal spirit with in you. Practice family!! I love you so
much guys. You are all such great example to me. Don't ever forget that I
love you.
Elder Hale.
Monday, August 19, 2013
August 12, 2013 Jacob
Family, this week has been one of great learning and great thought.
If you remember in my last letter, I was talking about how the spirit
comes to us but sometimes we dont recognize it or dont know how to
liste. Well I received a great blessing this week. President Millar
called me after my exchange on thursdasy about my letter that I sent
him. I sent him kind of the same thing I sent you, and asked him that
next time we meet if he could give me some pointers on how to recognize
the spirit. Well we had a great conversation and he pointed me in the
direction of D&C sections 9. The section where God tells Oliver
Cowdrey why he couldnt translate the book of mormon. When he told me to
read that, It felt like I got hit. I realized that, Just like Oliver, I
was just expecting to get an answer. That I thought, that just because I
was a missionary, that I would receive amazing revelation with out
doing anything. But I was sooooo wrong. In D&C 9 the lord gives a
lot of council to Oliver Cowdrey(and to me) and I was able to make a
list or a flow chart on how to get receive personal revelation.
1. Study the question, problem, or destination in your mind. Try
with all your might to think of a proper solution to this problem.
2. Pray and ask heavinly father if the course of action that you have chosen is the right choice.
2a. If it Is the RIGHT choice, then you will feel a burning in your heart. A positive feeling of comfort about the choice.
2b. If is is the WRONG choice, then you will probably not feel
anything, or a feeling of dicsomfort. You may even have a stupor of
thought, making that decition confusing. If you get this answer, then go
back to step 1. Try again and try to think of what Jesus would do.
3. Follow the commandments. The spirit of God cannot dwell in any
unclean thing. Do everything possible to make yourself super sensitive
to the spirit. Read, pray, fast, church, obedience. All of these things
only put you in a state of mind where you can perceve what God wants you
to do.
4. ACT!!!!! If you receive an answer ACT upon it. Do not let the
lord think that he is just wasting his time giving you this revelation.
Once you get it act. And do not doubt. One of my favorite lines from a
talk is "On the journey that is life, let questions arise, but never
doubt."
Family I had the most amazing experience of getting to put this
into action on Saturday. We are really trying to get up our investigator
pool, but this poor area has been knocked to death. We are still doing
it, but there is a better way. Member missionary work. We fasted on
friday for which families or people in our ward, have people in their
lives that are ready to receive the gospel. On saturday morning, we got
out the ward list and selected around 10 names as individuals that we
thought would have people. We then cross checked our list and wrote down
the names that we both had in common. We then had a list of about 6 to
7. We then split up and picked 2 names individually and then prayed
about it. I had to put different names together before I felt like I had
the right people. When I went back out to my companion, we had one name
in common, but the second name was not. So we went back and did it
again. But with the same results. One name, being different. So we sat
down this time, and talked it out. We were able to slowly eliminate
certain names. The whole time I felt as if the spirit was guiding us.
Finally we had 2 names we agreed on. When we prayed to know if it was
true. WOW!!!!! Family, I felt like I got kicked in the chest by a horse.
Talk about a buring in your bosom!!!
That was the best miricle this week. Pray that we will be able to
find more people to teach. We are loosing investigators one by one and
we need to get more we can teach. Pray that we will be able to find
those prepared to hear this amazing message.
This past week had been fun! I was able to go on an exchange to
eden bridge, and there I did more knocking for a single amount of time
then I ever have before. And I realized something. I am afraid of hard
work. Still afraid. Stupid!! So Im going to be trying to work on that
more this week. I want to be able to love this so much, that no amount
of hard work will scare me away from doing what needs to be done to
bring people closer to christ.
I love you family so much. I dont really know what else to write. I
guess I'm bad at that. But wait.. I just thought of something. On our
wall in the flat, every missionary that has ever come to haywards heath
has written down a DOCTRINE. A saying of there that gave them
incouragement. I just decided mine.
CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE! (JOSHUA 24:15)
AND THEN SERVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIND, MIGHT, AND STRENGTH! (D&C 4:2)
AS FOR ME AND MY COMPANION WE WILL SERVE THE LORD! (JOSHUA 24:15 altered)
Love you family. I'll write you guys more next week. Its been really cool to be able to hear about all the meterior showers.
Til Next Week - Elder Hale
August 19, 2013 Jacob
Family I only have about 13 min. So if I dont finish this letter then Ill just send what I can and write you guys some more on Wednesday. Transfers make everything crazy.
This week has been an amazing one and I have two amazing stories I want to share with you guys. The first one happened around Wednesday...
I think. We had a lot planned for that day but nothing was comming
through. People werent home, appointments fell through. We were kind of
upset for a while since now we had a good 2 to 3 hours to fill. So what
did we do? We knocked. FUN! Haha, it really was a great experience
though. This last week we had a Zone Conference where an area 70 came
and just spoke to us abouth everything. One of things brought up, was to
always carry a picture of Jesus with you. Well, when we were knocking I
took this council and applied it. On the front of a restoration pamphlet
is one of my Favorite pictures of Jesus Christ, holding a lamb. After
every single door. I would look at this picture. And the disapoitment
from having someone yell at me, or slam the door in my face, or just
laugh, would all just disinegrate. And I would all the sudden look at
the next door with great anticipation. Wondering if this one, was the
door where a child of god would receive all the blessings of eternity.
But, we didnt get much success. We were able to teach a little and say a
prayer with 2 people, but they werent really interested. But something
happened as I walked away. I realized that I felt really, really happy.
Before knocking I felt a little depressed, but after knocking.... AFTER
KNOCKING. I felt better. Thats when it hit me. I was enjoying this work.
I had gained a love for missionary work. It made me so happy and I
realized that this could be what the rest of my mission could be like.
Later that day. After two apointments that went well, and a few others
that fell through. Me and my companion were walking home and just said. I
feel happy. We both did. Now, Im not saying that every day is like
heaven. Its still hard and sometimes I still get down. But, I felt the
seed grow. I felt it. Alma 32 guys. It was amazing. I felt that it was
good, and it just made my resolve to be out here and become a better
missionary that much better.
The second story I may not get through. I only have 4 min left. But on Saturday,
we were going to visit a investigating couple who we havent seen in a
while. On the way there, I felt something in my heart. Almost like a
DONT GO THERE, but not quite. I just knew something was going to happen.
We got there and we were let in... and they dropped us. They had a talk
about how basically they knew what they were supposed to be doing, but
they werent doing it. They werent reading, or praying, or coming to
church. And they needed to step back and see if they really wanted this.
Well my companion was shocked. Sorry, guys I dont have enough time. Ill
finish it on wednesday. Just reading all the letters takes up so much time. Haha!
I love you guys so much. Im going to be staying in haywards heath.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Aug 5th, 2013 Jacob
Alright guys. This week has been an intersting one, but one that I sorely needed.
The first three days of this week... well we only got one teach a day.... Thats bad. Wednesday night me and my companion got home and just sat down and had a little evaluation of how we were doing and what we could improve on. We looked at our goals for the week and realized how much work we would have to do to reach them. But we decided we were going to. We decided that we had grown slack in a few minor rules in the mission and we decided that we were going to do everything to obey these rules. And wow!!!!! The next day we had 5 teaches. We almost doubled what we got for the first three days! We looked at our goals again and realized that we could do this. We started working harder and... well something happened in me. Normally, I wouldnt be to bothered about long travel times, or streets with no body walking on them, or us taking forever deciding where we were going to go if an appointment fell through. But, that all changed this week. I found my self becoming stressful if we were "wasting time" Not really wasting, but if we were just unable to do the work becuase of our surroundings. I realized as I analyzed this new kind of feeling in me, that one of my desires have changed. I realized that I REALLY wanted to get up, go out, and do everything to teach this people about the gospel. This last week or a week before, I can never remember, I talked to you guys about making a dicition every day to serve the lord? Well I just realized that, by doing that, I was exercising faith. And before I was just doing it because it was the right thing to do and it helped distract me. But now? Excercising that faith, has completely changed my desires. And its a brand new desire, and it would be very easy to snuff out. But I'm hoping that I can help it grow, and cultivate and become stronger. Until maybe, I leave the house running every morning, just wanting with every fibre of my being, just like Alma of old, to teach the people.
But I have now hit a new problem. Haha!!! I now want to be out doing the work, and I want to be able to go out and teach the people.... but where do I go? There are a few select people in England, who are ready to hear and receive this amazing gospel that we are bringing fourth into the world. So who do I go to? When Do I go to them?
This last week, my and my companion were going to bike out to a neighboring village called cukfield and see 2 less active families. We had a progress record to do before hand and after we completed that was when we were going to go.Well, my companion told me that I had forgotten my badge. So we had to go back to the flat. When I got my badge we headed out again for Cukfield again... My companion snapped the body of his Cycle.... Wow. Talk about a sign. Heavenly father didnt want us out there today. But where did he want us? Me and my companion settled down and said a prayed back at the flat... And I got an answer that yes, heavenly father wanted us to be somewhere else. But, for the life of me, I could not discern where. We ended remembering some member we promised to stop by, so we stopped by him.. but I still feel like there was somewhere else heavenly father wanted me to be.
Family. I can not stress enough the importance of listening to the spirit. Becuase all of us have been baptized. Theoretically we could never make a wrong decition ever again. If we listen to the holy ghost, we could make every decition a right one. Think about that?! Thats amazing. But heres the thing. Its a still small voice. You guys have played the game telephone right? Where you whisper something into someones ear, and it continues down the line, but when it gets to the end of line of people, its usually a totally different phrase or word? Well this last sunday I was able to play that with primary. I got to teach it with one of the AP's. ;) So much fun!!! But I digress. But the kids, got better, and better, and better, the more we played it. Eventually, they could get the word down the row, while listening very carfully, and they could get the same word as they started with. Listening to the spirit is the same. We can get the words eventually. But it takes practice. I cant just all the sudden know, where heavenly father wants me to be. I have to have practice listening first, and then, over time. The signal strength is still the same, I just know now, what to listen for. So family, practice now. So that when the spirit needs you to be somewhere... you can be there. :)
So thats my epiphany this last week. :) We had a blast this last week, as we were able to get a new toaster today. :) Our old one had a burn hole through it...... Ya. I also got to play rugby for the first time. That was a blast. Just touch rugby, but still a lot of fun.
Our bathroom is still infested with flying ants, and now they attack us. Haha, we have contractors coming in to fix mold that is creeping up the wall in the original bedroom, and hopefully they can take out the ants as well.
I also got two watches from a widow this last week. It was part of her husbands watch collection and wow, these watches are amazing. I felt guilty taking them, but she insisted.
I love you family very, very much. I can see you guys having such a blast back home. Is it already time to go back to school? Wow, time flies.
Haha, Im kinda the same with maren. Im in the 4th week of my third transfer, but after the 4th one.... well Ill be a quarter done. It feels like timeing is going by a lot faster now.
Well fam, sorry to keep you waiting. Dad, sorry to worry you. Haha, I feel bad about that. Mom. I love you very, very much. Boys. Prepare. A boy scout is always prepared, so be prepared for you mission. :) Tania. Have fun. :)
Til next week Famil amily.
Elder Hale
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