Enjoying Windcrest More

Hello to family, friends, and ward family. Great to hear from you all.

We got transfer calls last night. It looks like I'll spend another transfer here in Windcrest, which means that I will have spent an entire 6 months of my mission in Windcrest by the end of the next coming transfer. Pretty exciting. There must be more people to find and more experiences to have here in Windcrest. I learned from Elder Tews that he will become a Zone Leader this next transfer. Sister Johnson will stay in Windcrest and will train someone, while Sister Turpin will be leaving Windcrest. Plenty of different changes going on. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

The meeting with Elder Hamula was wonderful. Due to a doctor's appointment I had in Austin, I had the chance to hear from him again as he spoke there. Seventies truly are special witnesses of Christ, and any opportunity we have to hear from them will bless us. In order to make it to the doctor's appointment, I had an exchange with Elder Frampton. He's a great missionary. We enjoy the opportunity we had to help the assistants to President Slaughter with a few odd jobs before the meeting with Elder Hamula, and I got to know Elder Frampton a little as well. On our way back from the meeting, we stopped at this small sandwich place called "Hoody's." Delicious.

Elder Hamula talked about many different things that our mission could do to improve. As a whole, more of us should be opening our mouths to talk to everyone. We need to use our time in the evening to plan more effectively, as well as keep better records of who and what we teach. He also had great gospel insights from the scriptures. One of my favorites was when he tied John 3:5 to Matthew 18:3. Jesus tells us that "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." But in Matthew adds "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Baptism is not the end of our gospel learning. Our everyday actions should lead us to become more converted. Every prayer and verse counts.

Please tell us how was the zone conference with Elder Hamula- what stood out most in your mind to be of help and challenge to you?

Elder Hamula gave us simple principles on how to seek and recognize revelation. We first need to ask. Then we should sincerely desire what we are asking for. Herod asked, but he didn't have true desire (Luke 23:9-10). We should then be committed to act on the answer we receive, or have real intent. Then finally, we need to listen, watch and observe. He said, “If you cannot stand the quiet, you won’t hear the quiet voice that speaks." We should receive our answer from his servants, through the scriptures or from the spirit.

He also talked about complete consecration. If we will consecrate ourselves, we will attain a new level of work and success. Whatever it is that is keeping from serving effectively (hobbies at home, poor eating habits, etc.) need to be left behind me. Probably the biggest challenge for me will be identifying my "weapons of war" and burying them deep, just like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis. I probably already know what is holding me back, and so I will need to pray for the strength to recognize it, and pray for help in removing those things from my life.

He also said, “You have enough faith to come on a mission, but not enough to succeed in your areas.”

Are Elder Hernandez's family any of them members of the Church?

His parents and siblings are members, and his mother is the most active of his family. His family is making progress, and he's coming to church more often too. Church isn't the single indicator of activity, but it is important.

 How are you and Elder H. doing with your biking around? 

We're doing better. No bike wrecks so far. I'm feeling pretty confidant on my bike, and I enjoy the wind in my face and the chance we have to stop and talk to new people.

What has the Lord taught you this week on things that you needed more knowledge of?
Do you study Spanish together with Elder Hernandez or alone? Or both? 

I study a little more by myself than with him. Oddly enough, we seem to speak less Spanish together than I did with my previous companions. Or atleast, he speaks to me in English and it is my choice which language I respond with. As a result, I can change that.

How's your cooking going- do you want more recipes or suggestions (for dinners maybe?)

Doing fairly well. I cook eggs a few mornings each week and oatmeal a few others. I'm not eating cereal as often as I did for breakfast. As for lunches, I could use a little bit more variety than a sandwich or eggs. I even tried making some hard boiled eggs. They turned out well. Any recipes you have would be great.

Thank you for all of the treats. Ironically I bought a sweater this last p-day, but I was glad to have another one.

The gospel is true; we should strive to be true to it.

I love you all and pray for you.

-Elder Hall

Elder Tews' Recovery and New Companion(s)

Dear Family and Friends,

It seems to me that Elder Tews is doing quite fine. He transferred safely to an all-car area and his shoulder should be recovering well. I talked to him briefly over the phone and he is enjoying the work. I'll say it again though, I do miss him.

My new companion is named Elder Hernandez, and he is from Las Vegas. He's a convert to the church of just a few years, and the first missionary in his family. Of course every member can be a missionary, but he has a special opportunity to be set apart for the purpose of missionary work. He's a native from Mexico, but his English doesn't have a heavy accent. I'm excited that I have a great opportunity to learn more Spanish from him, and hopefully a few figures of speech as well.

He's a lot different than my last two companions. This transfer is his fourth transfer, meaning he just go into the mission a little bit before I did. As a result, neither of us had an excess of experience. I'm learning to be patient as he learns the area, and I have to take the lead in many circumstances. I pray that I can overcome our differences in mannerisms and serve him continually. I intend to build a great relationship with him in the time I have with him.

 

I didn't anticipate what exactly this week would bring. After Elder Tews left Windcrest, I received a new companion. This companion was feeling sick, and as a result he only served in Windcrest for two days. When he left, I went to work with the Zone Leaders of another zone as I waited for my current companion, Elder Hernandez. It was difficult to lead the way from appointment to appointment, and I didn't feel too adequate in my leading skills. Fortunately, however, I could feel the prayers of others holding me up during the week, and helping me to have a much more positive attitude than I would have under my own power alone.

That being said, this coming Thursday we are going to have another Zone Conference, and this time Elder Hamula of the Seventy will attend the conference. When we found out two weeks ago, he gave us a few chapters of the scriptures to study, and a chapter of Preach My Gospel. I absolutely loved these scripture assignments, and I found extra time to read these chapters. I especially like Alma 5:32-33, which exhorts us to "repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it" but reminds us that if we "repent . . . [the Lord] will receive you." The Savior truly invites and commands us to repent, for it is the only way that we can be made clean. This brought me comfort.

Questions from Mom:

How are you and your new companion working together?

As best as we can. In his last area, he didn't use a bicycle, so this is a little bit of an adjustment.

What is his name and where is he from?

Elder Hernandez is from Las Vegas, and he tells me that his home has a great view of the temple there. Up to this point, I haven't had a single companion from the same state as another, and I haven't had a single one from Utah. He told me also that he was an avid soccer player back home.

Have you been able to invite anyone to see 'Meet the Mormons'?

No, not yet. I would like to however. The best invitations come from their neighbors and friends. We'll be sure to include it as we visit people, however.

How has knowing the Savior's touch in your life helped you as you've lived this week?

This week especially I felt like prayer was holding me up. It's been pretty difficult since Elder Tews has left. Because I know the love that the Savior has for me and all of his children, my purpose remains clear. I rely on the promises that Preach My Gospel gives, and on the promises of modern day prophets and those in the scriptures.

   What is the most important spiritual experience you've had this week?

Yesterday our whole mission fasted in preparation for Elder Hamula's visit. I felt lifted spiritually and received renewed strength to keep going.

Do the leaves in San Antonio change color?

Just a little bit. Most of the leaves are still green.

 

Questions from Dad,

Did Elder Tews need a sling and I trust you’ve since picked up a new battery for the bike light?

Elder Tews did have it in a sling afterwards, even though he doesn't in this next picture I'm sending. The batteries that the lights need are simple AA, so we replaced our batteries as soon as we got back. Elder Tew's light broke after the accident, however.

 

The gospel is true,

 

-Elder Hall

Another Wonderful Week in the TSAM

Good day to all, family, friends, etc.,

Glad to hear from everyone this week. From what I understand, lots and lots of things happened at home over the weekend, and I wish that you all will get well from any sickness you may have. I've recovered completely from my flu, so I know that you all will be well.

I was able to feel pure joy as my brother got married on Friday. Even though I wasn't there, this joy overcame some of my moody thoughts I had that morning.

 

Crazy weekend this week. Saturday evening, after Elder Tews and I had a lesson with someone and tried to visit some other members of the ward, we made our way home. The evenings have gotten darker, quicker here in Texas, so we traveled back to the apartment in the dark. As we biked, the batteries of our head lights on our bikes went dead. Turning our lights back on every 20 seconds or so to use what charge was left, we continued on our way when out of no where Elder Tews flipped over on his bike, sprawled out near the curb.  Neither Elder Tews nor I are sure exactly how he managed to fall, but it happened in mere seconds, and startled me. After lifting the bike off of him, we decided to go to the nearest home to ask for some help, and an indian family allowed us to use their front porch.The sister missionaries arrived soon afterward, and we took Elder Tews to the nearest ER. I waited with him as they took X-rays, and we eventually arrived home at about midnight. Elder Tews strained his shoulder during the accident and he'll take a while to recover. Luckily, we can still proselyte, but only in the car, at least until he recovers.

This opportunity provided me a great chance to serve my companion. It lifted my spirits to know that I could help him just as he helped me after my flu episode. As always, we serve God as we willingly serve others (Mosiah 3:19). Luckily, the injury was nothing that won't respond to proper rest and ice packs.

This Wednesday I had an exchange with Elder Hughes, one of my zone leaders along side Elder Pew. This would be my only exchange of the transfer. One of my favorite things about Elder Hughes is his creativity. He showed me many different ways that we can serve, without bending the rules to meet those ideas. On a different note, he is also a very good photographer.

 

We witnessed a mini miracle on Friday. We wanted to visit a member within the ward, so we went to a particular apartment complex that we hadn't visited often. We soon found out that we had the wrong address, and we had probably gone to visit in vain. But, as we left the apartment complex, a car pulls up and someone says, "Are you looking for someone to talk to?" We said yes, and in a few minutes we came into his apartment and talked with him. This meeting was hilarious because while I was excited to see what he already knew, he was casual about us meeting. Turns out that he had been taught by missionaries about a year ago, and he was interested in coming to church. It astounded me that we could be exactly where the Lord wanted us to be, and that previous efforts by missionaries were not at all wasted. We'll meet with Chris (the man we met) this week, and hopefully he'll be able feel the same way he did when missionaries taught him before. The Lord helps us to find those prepared in a multitude of different ways. :)

As I was watching the DVR of the Priesthood session from last week Pres. Uchdorf quoted 'to see ourselves clearly is the beginning of wisdom.' What can we do to better see ourselves clearly?

This week I will pray more actively for the members of Windcrest and the people we are teaching. As I helped Elder Tews in little ways, I was able to find strength and wisdom to better take care of myself. I can see myself more clearly as I seek not to judge others harshly, or to focus on their faults. This helps me to notice those faults that I have, and better tend to them.

How has the wise council from conference helped you the most this week?

A few of the bretheren and sisters talked about the importance of the Sacrament. This helped me to hold Sacrament meeting with more reverence. I liked Elder Hamula's words in particular, that the Sacrament has many important emblems.

How has conference helped your new converts?

Sister Johnson loved conference. Another family that moved into the ward brought their non-member friend to Priesthood meeting. Because the apostles and prophets have the authority to preach the gospel, hearing their words benefits us beyond their public speaking ability.

What story did you enjoy most in conference?

Elder Bednar's story about his two sons was my favorite to hear. I also liked Elder Uchtdorf's analogy of the man who noticed the single dandelion on his neighbor's lawn, but ignored the many on his. They both illustrated interesting principles.

Are you getting any fall weather?

Yes, it is getting much cooler now. We had a lot of rain Saturday morning, and I'm starting to feel a little cold in the evenings. Time to buy a sweater.

-Elder Hall

P.S. The Gospel is true.

Holding the ties with my brother's wedding colors in them.

 

Conference Weekend

Hello Family,

If you read nothing else from my email, watch General Conference. If you missed any of it for any reason, make an effort to watch the rest. You won't regret it. :-D

 

Here are some questions from Mom:

What messages in conference stood out to be most especially helpful and encouraging to you?

 
My companion and I loved Elder Bednar's talk. But of all, I think Elder Scott's talk touched me most.  His suggestions will help anyone come closer to our savior, and to reevaluate our spiritual progress.

 

How did you see that Conference affected the wonderful people of the Windcrest area?

I don't know how it affected everyone, but I do know that the Johnsons benefited from the few sessions they watch. As Sister Johnson reminded us, "stay in the boat."
 

What did you think of Elder Bednar's talk especially to those who are not members of the Church?

I beamed during that entire talk. If we as members can remember how Jesus Christ's Gospel has blessed us in our lives, wouldn't we want to share that same feeling of relief? I loved it that Elder Bednar's youngest son didn't suddenly learn how to bandage wounds after his brother helped him. He shared the medical ointment the only way he knew how.

It doesn't matter if we are full time missionaries or not. We can share our love for the prophet, the scriptures, and for temples.

What was your favorite music in Conference?

Praise to The Man was my favorite. I appreciate his work as the first prophet of our dispensation more now as a missionary and after this conference than ever before.

Wasn't it interesting that the talks that were given in other languages in Conference were in Cantonese , 2 in Espanol, and the other in Portugese?

Very interesting! I wanted to listen to the Spanish speakers speak Spanish, but we watched Conference in english, so this wasn't possible.

General conference was a blast for me. I feel extremely blessed that I can hear the words of our prophet and his apostles every six months. Today I forgot to bring my notes on conference with me, but I can share more from my notes next week.

I felt the testimony of Elder Nelson strongly as he testified of a living prophet. Even if we do not receive all of the revelation that Thomas S. Monson does to guide the church, we can seek to receive confirming revelation that his guidance is true. Probably one of my favorite insights from conference was that Nephi had to seek confirming revelation that his father, Lehi, did in fact see a vision. Revelation guides the church from the top to the very bottom.

This week we had the opportunity to see a movie called "Meet the Mormons." You probably have heard about it. Take some time to invite a friend to see the movie with you. This is a great opportunity to share some of our beliefs in a non-threatening way. I really enjoyed the film.

 

-Elder Hall

P.S. Due to circumstances partially out of my control, I didn't have as much time to email as I usually do. If this email seems rushed, don't worry. :-D

P.S.S. This week I made some wheat pancakes from scratch.