Week 20 Merry Christmas

So I messed up on the weeks. Last week was suppose to be week 10, not week 9, but oh well. It's said and done. I'm going to do it a little differently today. So since it's a Thursday, and I didn't get to send an email on Monday, I'm going to send this email and talk about last week. Then this coming Monday, I'll talk about what happened this week. 

so last week

Monday, December 19th, 2016

So we had p-day and did some emailing and shopping, you know, the normal stuff. We also cleaned up the apartment and got it ready for inspections. Then we went and played wallyball with the Spanish elders and had a blast! After p-day, we had dinner and visited some people. We didn't see too many people, but we had a pretty good day.

Tuesday, December 20th, 2016

We went on an exchange with the Spanish elders, and it's crazy how many investigators they have. They have 9, and I thought I was doing good with my 5, but I guess I was wrong. The problem is they don't come at set times. They just go by and see if they can meet with them that day. It is crazy and unheard of, but that's ok. They are getting the work done. We visited a lot of people out there, went to the food bank, had mormon.org time, and then exchanged back. It was a fun exchange. I got pics from it, but I lost my SD card at the other library :( That's ok. I'll get a new one. 

Wednesday, December 21st, 2016

We were all over the place, like all over the place. We went from one person to the other trying to find people to teach. We met some people, taught some things, left Christmas messages with members, and then had a lesson with the Kurtzers and reviewed the baptismal questions which was good because it was able to help us help them to understand what we needed to teach them and what they still needed to learn. We learned they have a hard time with the word of wisdom with coffee, keeping the Sabbath day holy, tithing, and knowing if Joseph Smith is a true prophet...  That's a lot, but we were able to work a lot of it out to help them to become more converted to it, and they are on date for the 7th of January. We have 5 investigators and the the others, Kelly and Lydia, are on date for the 21st of January which will be good if it all works out. I have no doubts.

Thursday, December 22nd, 2016

We had the half mission conference, and that was so cool. President Wilding talked to us and many other missionaries as well. Several musical numbers were played, and I got to play the violin for one of them. It was a lot of fun. I used one of our member's violins, and it worked out great. I played O Little Town of Bethlehem, and everyone liked it. We also watched 17 Miracles. That was President's Christmas present to us. That was great to see again. I got your presents and the cards from the primary, and thank you so much, guys, for all those gifts and card! It made my day!! After, we went and visited some people and talked about Christmas with them. It was a good day.

Friday, December 23rd, 2016 Christmas Adam

See what I did there?... Eve, Adam, hahaha! Anyway, I got sick with the flu!! But I'm doing better now. I figured out that I'm actually having heart burn, but I'm taking some medication to get rid of it. We tried to have a lesson with the Kurtzers, but they canceled on us, and we had one with them this last Tuesday which I'll talk about it in my next email. That was it for that day. It also snowed that day.

Saturday, December 24th, 2016 Christmas Eve

we shared Chistmas messages with lots of members and then had to by in by 7 but as well we did some caraling with the other elders, it was way fun. then we weekly planned and played games for the rest of the day the snow was still on the ground

Sunday, Christmas Day

We had an hour of church, and then we went to the Simbecks home for the rest of the day. I got to call home and talk with you guys!! Then we did some acts of kindness and had tacos for dinner. We opened the presents at 6:30 in the morning and loved all of them. Later in the day, we had to be in by 7, and we played games and had fun. I got Justin and Eric's present. By the way, thank you. I love Snoopy so much!! 

Today, going to the temple put me really into a spiritual mood, and I'm feeling good for the rest of the day. I wanted to send a spiritual message to every one of you at home. If you haven't been to the temple in a long time, please GO!! If you say, "Oh, I don't have time to," that probably means it's been too long, and you need to go. The temple will open your eyes to some thing new you never knew before. I received revelation and comfort for my area and my family today as I sat in the celestial room today, which was the first time in a while I had felt really close to my Heavenly Father. The temple shows us more then life long questions and answers. It can answer questions of the soul. If you haven't gone in a while, please go. Our spirits need that regaining strength that the temple offers. Don't forget that. I know these things are true, and I say them in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 Elder Hammond

 

Week 19 Almost Christmas!

What a week this has been! Honestly, I wasn't expecting any of what happened this week to happen. Let me answer some questions first. Then I will get to the week.

Have you worn your boots? 

No... because I have to get them approved by president, and that's harder then it seems. I'll do it when the snow stays more on the ground then just 2 days so far. Although I could use them for Darrington. We'll see.

Do you have enough warm gear?

Yes, with a capital Y! I am so warm when I walk outside. It's so great!!! I don't need anything else.

Now for the week.

Monday

We had a good p-day. We went shopping, emailed, and played wallyball at the sac. It was a lot of fun! Then we had dinner and visited some people. Not to much that happened.

Tuesday

Tuesday was really sad. I went on an exchange with Elder Jensen, Elder Butler's companion, who is the ZL. I woke up at 2:00 in the morning and found him throwing up in the bathroom. I had to call Sister Grizeny who is the health missionary for the mission and had to stay up with him until everyone else was awake. It was so bad!! Once everyone else was awake, the other missionaries ran over, and we exchanged back for the rest of the day while Elder Jensen had the flu!! It flu me off guard!! Hahah... See  what I did there!!? ;) Anyway, I went back with Elder Stoddard, and we went to Darrington for the day. We had a good time with that, and we went and shoveled a lot of drive ways, bought some gifts for Tyler, and then went home to see how Elder Jensen was doing. When we got back, he was still way sick and had been sick all day... not fun. Then we had dinner and visited some people in Arlington. Then we came home to plan.

Wednesday 

We had zone meeting, which was weird because we aren't suppose to have them any more, but since the snow canceled interviews last week, we had to have it. It was great! Elder Butler talked about obedience and being dignified. It was a great meeting, and it really opened my eyes to some things, so much that I actually needed to go on an emergency exchange with Elder Butler because I was felling really stressed about something that I was struggling with and some things that were bugging me about Elder Stoddard. During this exchange, Elder Butler taught me a lot about confidence and how I can gain more of it. He gave me some things to study and gave me a blessing of comfort. After that, Elder Stoddard and I got back together and planned for the next day.

Thursday

Thursday we went to the other side of our area, not Darrington, but close by...Standwood. We visited a lot of people. It was a pretty good day. Not too much happened. Oh, oops! We had 5 lessons this week with our investigators, and they are getting ready for baptism. We have a baptism coming up on New Year's Day. I hope it works out!!!

Friday 

We helped at the food bank, weekly planned, and then visited some people and did some service for a family. It was a pretty good day.

Saturday

Saturday was exchange part 2 with Elder Jensen. I got to work in a YSA ward again!!! Oh my gosh, I love YSA wards! They are so much fun!!! Anyway, we had 3 lessons with investigators there, had interviews with president, and then later in the day, I put one of their investigators on date for the 21st of January. It was great, if I do say so myself. Then I exchanged back with Elder Stoddard, and we had a lesson with the kurtzer family and talked about tithing!!

Sunday

Sunday it snowed all day until like the end of the day. Church went for 2 hours, and then Elder Stoddard and I went home and did what felt like a whole lot of nothing. Then we had dinner... haha jk. We had personal study, comp study, and weekly planning. Then we slid on ice in the jeep, almost died... That's ok. My defensive driving class taught me how to work with that. So we were good. No one died. 

So my spiritual thought today comes from Mosiah 16:9, and it says: 

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea a light that is endless that can never be darkened; yea and also a life which is endless that there can be no more death." 

This year, Christmas is really focused on how He is the light of the world. As we continue to follow Him, I want you to really notice how He is that light in this world. He stands supreme with glory. Love you all and see you soon.

1. 1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!
   With all my heart to him I'll sing;
   I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,
   In grand amens my tongue employ.
   I believe in Christ; he is God's Son.
   On earth to dwell his soul did come.
   He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
   Good works were his; his name be praised.
2. 2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
   As Mary's Son he came to reign
   'Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
   To save them from the woes of sin.
   I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
   Who did gain all his Father hath,
   Who said to men: "Come, follow me,
   That ye, my friends, with God may be."
3. 3. I believe in Christ--my Lord, my God!
   My feet he plants on gospel sod.
   I'll worship him with all my might;
   He is the source of truth and light.
   I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
   From Satan's grasp he sets me free,
   And I shall live with joy and love
   In his eternal courts above.
4. 4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
   From him I'll gain my fondest dream;
   And while I strive through grief and pain,
   His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."
   I believe in Christ; so come what may,
   With him I'll stand in that great day
   When on this earth he comes again
   To rule among the sons of men.

 

Week 18 Family Search, Mini MTC, and Elder Mason

Hello, everyone!!! It has been a crazy week, so let's get right to it!!

Monday

So Monday was great! We had a fun time emailing, shopping, and playing basketball because the SAC was closed. Then after that, we had dinner, and Elder Stoddard and I tried to go see some people before the donut party that the Arlington Ward puts on. Then we went on splits with the Arlington elders and did some street contacting. It was a good day. Not a whole lot happened, but we had a good day.

Tuesday

Tuesday we visited a lot of people and went to Brother Brown's for breakfast. We talked a lot about family search. The best part about that is now I know how to do it a little more. Before, I knew Aunt Alisha did a lot of it, and I didn't know where to start, but thanks to Brother Brown, one of the family history consultants, I was able to understand how to work it. It's really cool what you can do with family search. We also did some service for a sister in our ward, which was the first time I had ever done service in regular clothes. It felt so weird, but we did it. 

Wednesday

We had district meeting, and Elder Stoddard instructed us on diligence and being dignified in our calling to God. It's always a good pep talk from a district leader, right!? Then after that, we did some service and had some dinner. Then Elder Stoddard and I went on splits, and I went and was in charge of the mini MTC night we had with the youth. It went really well. I will have to tell you about it later because I'm running out of time. Elder Stoddard had lessons with investigators, and he did a good job with that.

Thursday 

We went to Darrington and visited a lot of people, got two return appointments for Tuesday, and went to seminary. We had a good time there.

Friday

Friday we got snowed in, so we got grounded from our cars. We had to walk around and do weekly planning all day. It made me so mad because we live 5 miles out of the area, but that's ok. Later that night we were able to drive the car again and I went on exchanges with Arlington.

Saturday

I was on an exchange with Elder Poulsen. He's been out almost as long as Elder Stoddard. We drove to Comano Island for a breakfast with President Flake, one of the stake president's counselors. We had a good time. Then we went back to Arlington and visited a lot of people, had a lesson fall through, did some service at the old folks place, tried to get some lessons in before dinner, had dinner, and then visited some more people. It was a pretty good day.

Sunday

When I was at church, I saw Elder Mason, a missionary that served in my home mission in West Jordan a couple of years ago!!! He lives in Marysville. He's so cool, and he's in the YSA ward, so it's even better!! Then we had lunch with our new ward mission leader, did our studies, had dinner, and then went to the nativity festival the stake put on. It was so cool. There was a Jesus picture room, lots of nativities and a choir singing for us. It was great!

the former Elder Mason and Elder Hammond

Well, that's it for this week. I'll see you next week.

Elder Hammond

Week 17 Remember God Loves You

Hey everyone. I am just so full with the spirit today. So much that my soul delighted to tell you everything!! This week has been a really good week, and Washington is getting ready for Christmas. There are so many lights, and it's snowing today!!! That's like the first time in so long. I'm so excited!! So let's get right to it!!! 

Monday

We had a good p-day. We emailed, went shopping, and then worked out at the SAC. It's a place where you go to work out, and it's free for Mormon missionaries. That's the one thing I love about Washington. There are so many members that own places, and so we get cool discounts and stuff like that. It's awesome!! Then for the rest of the day we played board games and visited some people, as well had a ward FHE. It was a good day!!

Tuesday 

I went on an exchange with Elder Wake, our new roomy, and we had a good time. We got a lot of work done and used a lot of miles. Sadly, as missionaries we don't get a lot of miles to use. We almost went over this week for the month, but thanks to members giving us rides, we were able to  keep it under!! We had a good exchange, and I learned a lot from Elder Wake.

Wednesday

Wednesday we had a good day. It started off with district meeting, and Elder Stoddard instructed us on how the Book of Mormon answers questions of the soul, and I learned so much from that instruction. Then we helped a sister in the ward that is not a member with putting up some Christmas lights, and then we had a lesson with Lydia, which was interesting. We asked her to pray about the Book of Mormon, and she said, "No." It shocked me and my companion. We asked why, and she told us, "I don't think the Lord loves me enough to give me an answer to my prayers. I've done some things in my life that aren't  good in this life so how could God love me if I've done all these things?" That response broke my heart! 💔💔💔 At the time, I knew how to answer that question. She didn't like the answer we gave her, but I know as we continue to teach her, she will be able to soften her heart. We also had lessons with Kelly and Barbra, Mike, and Chris, and they went well. 

Thursday 

We visited a lot of people. That's it.

Friday

We went to the food bank and helped them there. Then we did some weekly planning, had a lesson with Kelly, and went to the ward Christmas dinner. Then we exchanged with the Spanish elders.

Saturday!!

The exchange was so much fun. I haven't been in a Spanish area for like 8 weeks, and it was so much fun!! I can't wait for the next one. We visited a lot of investigators and had lessons with two. Of course, Elder Torp did all the talking. I sat there nodding my head in agreement. It was so much fun.

Sunday

We had church and had a good time. We got a new ward mission leader and had dinner with him last night. We also got to watch the devotional at their house. I loved it so much! Oh, and P.S., I saw MRich (Mrs. Richardson) three times in the choir. I hadn't seen her ever since she quit from Copper Hills, so it was good to see she is still doing good. But ya, after that, we finished weekly planning and then that was the end of the week.

Brothers and Sisters, my spiritual thought this week is remember that God loves each and every one of us. Remember, he has a plan for all of us, and you can't forget it. If you are planning on serving a mission, I'm telling you with everything I know, please do it!! It is the best experience anyone could ever have! I am a living witness of Jesus Christ and his miracles on this earth. I have seen what He can do for many that just come unto Him, and we all can come unto Him! Remember, He loves us all, and you can stand with Mormon when he says, "Behold I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people that they may have everlasting life." I know that this is true, and I know that He lives. I know that we can achieve that in our lives, and I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Elder Hammond