Serving in Rural Texas

Greetings from Texas,

For this week, I decided to start with questions first.

Where are you?   

I'm serving in the Carrizo Springs Branch. Carrizo Springs is a small town close to Eagle Pass, which is quite close to the boarder of Mexico. Like Uvalde, we cover a few other small towns, and we do plenty of driving every day. Because I am serving as senior companion, I am the designated driver, and I get to drive a truck. Now I finally understand why driving a truck makes you feel tough.

The exciting part of it all is that Elder Tews, who finished his mission just a week ago, began his mission here in Carrizo Springs. I'm excited!

Who is your new companion? 

Elder Craner, from Idaho. Elder Craner came out at the same time as Elder Downer and Elder Hart, in fact he served as their district leader in the MTC. This week he demonstrated how familiar he is with Carrizo Springs, seeing as he's already been here for three months. Elder Craner is easy to talk with, supportive, and patient with me and those we work with.

How is your new area?  

Carrizo Springs differs a bit from all the other areas I've served in before. The majority of the people who live here don't know their own address. So instead of street numbers, we count down houses, look for the color of the house, and other landmarks to find our way. We got to know the members of the branch this past week all at once at a summer activity, and at church the next day.

We live in a house here in Carrizo instead of an apartment, and our mailbox is about a mile away from it. I was excited to see that we have some open space in the house.

And I'm sure you'll send your new address-

25 Starburst Rd #A

Carrizo Springs, TX. 78834

If you try to send a package using any service but the standard US postal service, they won't be able to find where to deliver it to.

What's the most surprising or interesting thing about your new area?

Everyone in Carrizo Springs knows of the missionaries. Even if they don't know you in particular, people you haven't met before will wave to you. Because many people know us here, we have an image that we need to uphold, and sometimes people judge us based on previous experiences with missionaries, whether those are good or bad. It might take me a little while to get to know the community, I'll do my best to enjoy doing that.

  Do you wish you had sunglasses?

I do have a few clip on sunglass lenses that I can put on my glasses.

  Are you allowed to have sunglasses?

We are allowed to use sunglasses, but typically only as we drive. Just as soon as we park and leave the truck, I take off the lenses and stow them away.

  Is your water bottle still working for you or do you need a new one?

Both of the water bottles I have gotten are in bad condition. I threw one of them away before I came to CS because I didn't know how to clean out the gunk that had built up inside the bottle. I still need to clean the bottle I brought with me for the same reason, and so yes pleas, I would love to have a new water bottle.

    How has the Lord's Spirit blessed and comforted you this past week?

Because of the rapid change that happened last week, I relied on the Spirit to maintain a positive attitude and to be happy even though I was worried about 10th ward and other things. While I was sad I couldn't really say goodbye to many people, God gave me confidence that the changes that were going to happen would bless many people, including myself.

 Will you be using your Espan~ol more in this new area?

Most of the people here speak English. Those who speak Spanish like to speak English with us because we are not native Spanish speakers, but Elder C. and I want to work to talk with those Spanish speakers in their native tongue. The services on Sunday are held in English as well.

I'm glad to hear from everybody back at home. It sounds like plenty of new missionaries are leaving their home wards to enter the mission field. While I won't mention any of you by name, I wish you a safe trip and you will come to know your Savior even more during it all.

This area is the furthest I've ever served from another companionship of missionaries. While we have a whole house to ourselves, I haven't seen the other missionaries from our missionary district since I came into Eagle Pass for the first time.  In a few weeks I will give a talk on the topic of Discipleship, and I might possibly give another after that.

I know that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. His words are clearly written in the scriptures. As we continue to study those words daily, our days will go forward with more purpose, and we will come to know of His love for all people.

--

-Elder Hall

Texas San Antonio Mission