Week 89 Strive to Look at Failures with Happiness and Enthusiasm

Hello everyone! Another week in Paradise, and we got our smart phones this week! That's what I used to type this up. Anyways here is the week.

Monday
We started the day emailing. Then we did some shopping. After, we had some lunch at Boomers. Boomers is a burger joint. After that, we then went to the church and played basketball for a while. We had a great time with the whole zone except the sisters. Getting close to evening, we went home, got changed, and then went to dinner. After dinner we went and saw people in our area before the night was over.

Tuesday
Tuesday was a long day. We did tons of walking. We started the day with progressing. Then we went to the church for mormon.org time. I was going to do some training for the portal, for our smartphones, but the website was down. After mormon.org time, we then went home and had lunch. Then we went into comp. study. After, we went and saw some people with the car, did some tracting, and then we walked to the rest of our contacts. The contacts that we were seeing were at least a half mile away from each other, sometimes even more. That's exhausting! But that's alright. We still managed. and I'm still alive. After a while, we then went to dinner with the Devries. Then we went to try to have our two lessons with people that were going to be new investigators, however, one cancelled and the other wasn't home. So, we made some different plans. Then we had a meeting with Bishop, and that ended our night.

Wednesday
We got our smartphones!! We started the day with District meeting and Elder Rich instructed about planning and how to set goals that will help us accomplish our purpose. After, we then had lunch. Then the zone leaders gave us our phones, and we got to set them up. After a couple of hours, we came home, had comp. study, and then went to our lesson with Sister Oldham. It turned out great. We were able to answer her questions about the Book of Mormon. After, drove down to Sudden Valley and had dinner with the Daly's. They feed us pizza. They also had a piano which I was able to play little bit. Sister Daly loved it. Then we went to see some people out in Sun Valley before the night was over. Around 7:30 we drove back to the church and started working on the area book planner. That has been an interesting process so far. It's a lot of work just to put our area book into the phone. After that, we went home and ended the night.

Thursday
Thursday was a sad day because we didn't have much work happen. We started the day by going to the food bank and sorting food. After, we had lunch and comp study at the church. Then we went to go see some people. Almost every person that we went to see was not home or they weren't able to talk! Later, we had dinner with the Jones family. The kids are so cute. Their youngest got a brush during dinner and started brushing my hair . It was really funny! After dinner, we then saw some people close by to the Jones family. Then we ended the day with the area book planner work.

Friday
Friday was pretty simple, only because some of the plans we had fell through. We started the day with comp study and weekly planning. After, we then went from the church to the Frazier apartments to help someone move. We soon found out that the apartment was Justin's and his roommate that he has been telling us was a rude person. It was this girl (his roommate) we were helping to move out. Funny how that happened! So, we decided to help her but told her not to tell Justin that we were helping. After, we moved couches into a moving van and many other things. We then drove to the storage unit where they were going to place all the furniture. We helped put the furniture away. After, we went to go see a referral named Eydie . She was nice and told us they would love to have us come and maybe do service, but she really wasn't interested in a message. We left our phone number with her and then went back to the church to weekly plan some more. After, we then had a lesson with Leilani. With taught her about the word of wisdom. Before our lesson, we saw Justin, and he told us that everything had been taken out of his apartment, and he was really, really shocked. I felt bad for acting like I knew nothing about it. But that's alright. Maybe it'll help him in the long run, who knows. After a lesson, we went over to his apartment and talked to him. We checked up with his reading and his prayers and offered our help in any way that he needed it. Then we went and had dinner. After, we went back to church and did some area book work in the area planner. That ended our night.

Saturday
We started the day by going and updating the progress record. With our smartphones, we now have the ability to electronically update our progress record through LDS tools. It's pretty cool! I'm pretty sure if you ask Justin he could tell you all about it! That sucks sometimes in the morning trying to figure out everything, but after we then went to go see some people before we went to go and have lunch. Around 12:30, we went and had lunch at the apartment. Then we did comp study, and then we went to go and see some more people after lunch. In the afternoon, we were able to go and see Justin, our investigator, again and follow up with how he was doing the night before. We committed him to pray and ask his Father in Heaven about the Book of Mormon to know if it was true. He said that he prayed last night, but he didn't tell us if he prayed about what we asked him to pray about. So, we discussed it with him, and we discussed some things that he had dreams about. We were planning on dropping him, however, once he started explaining the dream that he had that night, the spirit started to enter the room, and we could feel its presence. His dream consisted of him walking to a house, a house that his father had grew grown up in. At this house, his father opened the door and talked to Justin, and what his father said continually was, “I'm trapped, I’m trapped! Help me to get out.” In the dream, he said he could feel loved and as well he felt pain for his father, so much that he gave him hugs and they talked for a little more and continued hugging each other and crying with each other, but yet he couldn't seem to satisfy his father because he didn't know how to free him or why he was trapped. Listening to this dream, we gave him some advice and talked about the spirit world and how sometimes people have dreams of brothers and sisters telling them that they are trapped in spirit prison and the only way they can get out of that is if they become baptized and continue on in Exaltation. He took it pretty well, and he said he was going to go into further investigation about it. We told him to ponder about those things and to pray about them and once he did that, he would be able to understand his dream a little bit better.

After that visit with him, we then had a lesson with Jason Byers. He seems to be doing alright. We read some scriptures with him about increasing his faith. He really enjoyed those scriptures, and we had a good discussion. As we were leaving, he seemed very peaceful with himself. I was excited to see that because I have never seen that with him in the whole year and a half that I've known him on my mission. From that visit, we then went back to church and finished weekly planning. Then we went to the mall and got Panda Express for dinner. We also checked out Famous Footwear for Elder Rich to look at some new shoes. Then we came back to the church and did some area book planning so that we could get the area book into the phone. Then we went and had a lesson with Joey and had our meeting with Brother Jones. We talked to Joey about the word of wisdom. After our meeting with Brother Jones, with then came home and ended the night.

Sunday
We started the day with ward council. Then we had church right after. We went through all the church service and had a good time. There was a talk in sacrament meeting that talked about the atonement and how to look past failure with happiness. After church, we then went to Sister Thowson and waited a whole hour for her to come back from her walk. That was boring... so we went home and had some lunch. Then we planned out the day, and then went to go and see her again to see if she was home. This time she was. So, we went and gave her a blessing because she is going through procedure sometime today. After, we then went to the church and did our personal study, our comp study, and dinner all in 3 hours. Then realizing that we needed the area book to do some area book planning, we went to go and grab it from the car. However, when we walked out of the church building, we went to go and unlock the car, but realize that the keys were still inside the church building. So, we went to go back to the church to open the door, however, the church was locked because the lock was broken. THAT WAS STUPID!!!!!! So, we had to walk to Walgreens, call Brother Jones, and ask him if he would come and unlock the church building so we could go get our stuff and head back home for accounting. That was not fun.

Well, that's my week for you, everyone. It was an interesting week to say the least. However, I did learn a lot this week, and I'm grateful for everything I did learn. I understand that the Lord really does love each and every one of us beyond what we can imagine. He does not expect us to always succeed in life, nor does He expect us to be perfect a hundred percent as His son, Jesus Christ, is right now. However, He expects us to try, to strive to be the best we can be and nothing else. From the words of a scripture I quote, “For notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them.” Them is referring to us as his brothers and sisters. To that I have to ask the question, “Why is that?” To answer that question, we must understand that Jesus Christ suffered the atonement for all mankind, but not just mankind, all living things. We must also understand that God expects us to do as much as we can and then understand and know that the atonement will make up the rest. The atonement is not merely Jesus Christ suffering on the cross, even though that is a part of it. The atonement is what makes me, the sinner, be able to access the gift of repentance.

If there is anything that you can take from this letter, brothers and sisters, remember this. We must not look at failure as a terrible thing. If we look at the life of Thomas Edison, when he invented the light bulb, he did not say, “I failed a thousand times, oh well.” He said, “I have found a thousand steps to achieve a miracle.” Thomas Edison looked at this as a positive thing to help him to be able to invent the light bulb. Thomas Edison was a great example of a man that looked at failure with enthusiasm. When his factory was burning down in flames, he did not cry, he didn't even weep for a second. When his son came to find him, he asked him if he was all right. To his son’s surprise, Thomas Edison told him, " Charles, get your mother. She will never see a fire like this ever again in her life." Haha! I Iove that. What struck me is what he told everyone the next day. "My friends, all of our mistakes have burned away. We can start again!" Boy, I wish to have enthusiasm like that after every failure! This was part of the talk on the atonement in our sacrament meeting Sunday.

This week I had the opportunity to receive a very uplifting letter from a good friend and a brother of Christ, who I believe I met in the pre-earth life before I came to this earth. I only say that because he has gone through a lot of the same struggles as I have and understands me a hundred percent. My dear friend became converted to the gospel while I was on my mission. In this letter, he was able to lift my spirit, to help me find peace in my service. And I want to thank him for that. Not only in that letter as I was reading it today did I feel the spirit, but I felt the love that my Heavenly Father and only Jesus Christ could give me, and even though I can't share this letter with every single person because it is a sacred letter, I know that it is meant to help not only me, but it will stand as a reminder to my friend and will help him in his life when he needs it most. 

In his letter, he recommended the talk by Elder Robins from this month’s General Conference. I encourage those that read this letter to read that talk. It has helped me a lot. Brothers and sisters, I know that as we look from failure to failure with happiness and enthusiasm to continue to grow, we will be able to strive to receive that perfect life which Jesus Christ commanded us to "be ye there for perfect, even as your father which is in heaven perfect". We will see joy in repentance. We will see sorrow turn into happiness, shame into peace, and hate into love. I know this to be true, and I know that as I start to apply this in my life, I will be able to conquer anything that comes in my path. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Hammond

Week 88 Transfers

Hey everyone! This week has been great! You already heard part of it with the temple on Tuesday and now you get to hear the rest. So here is the rest of the week for you.

Wednesday

We had transfers, and Brother Devrise took us down to Lynnwood. We had a good time on the way down, however we got to the mission office early, so we waited for an hour talking to other missionaries. Then after, we got our slips, and I found out I got Elder Rich as my new companion. Guess what? He's the district leader! I don't know why, but President keeps doing this to me. I'll be on my own for a little bit, but right as it seems responsibility is handed to me, he puts a district leader with me. I've had 6 comps. as a district leader. It's almost like President wants me to learn something. After, we drove back home and then got things situated, meaning he unpacked a little. Then we went right into planning the day. Then we went and tried to see some people. Around 4, we had a lesson with Sister Oldham. She's a less active member we met last week. We talked about eternal marriage with her and the Book of Mormon. After, we went and visited with Hue. We talked about patriarchal blessing and gifts of the spirit with her. She is going through a hard time. She was pregnant but then lost the baby. I don't know how that can feel, but I know that there are people out there that do. After that visit, we had dinner. Then we went shopping. From there, we went to a lesson with Jason Byers. We read some scriptures with him and then talked about how the word of wisdom is commanded of God. After, we came home and ended the night with Elder Rich unpacking.

Background on Elder Rich. He is from Minnesota. He is 19 years old. He has been out on his mission for 9 months now, and this is his first time being district leader. Me having 4 more months left, I just hope I don't get too prideful and turn into what Elder Addington did when I was with him. I'm junior comp to him.

Thursday

We had district meeting in the morning. Elder Rich instructed on repentance and how to achieve our goals we set as missionaries. After, we had lunch. Then we went home and had comp study. After that, we went with Brother Eywing and went to go see some members in the ward that were new. That was an interesting experience. We only got to see 4 people and only 3 of them were home. Brother Eywing is an older man. He is also called to be the assistant secretary. So, he is supposed to go out with us and see these new people. After that, we went and saw some potential investigators, but not a lot of them were home. So, we went to dinner with the Rensinks. After, we went and saw some more people, and then ended the night.

Friday

We started the day with comp study. Then we went and saw people. After, we came home, had lunch, and then went to a lesson with Chris. We talked about priesthood and baptism. Chris seemed a little annoyed, and he wasn't being really committed to what we were asking him to do, so we dropped him. After that lesson, we then went and saw some more people. Later that night, we met with Nick Nelting at the church. He wanted to say goodbye because he is moving to the Everson Ward. After, we went and had dinner at Jimmy Johns. Then we went and had a lesson with the Prices. Julies and Phoenix are a family in the ward. Julies is less active because of work, and Phoenix is not a member, so we taught them the restoration this week and told them we would love to teach more if they would want us to. They told us they would love that. After our lesson, we then went home and started our weekly planning.

Saturday

We went and did service for the Whatcom Land Trust this morning. We helped dig spots for parking barges. Then we went home, had lunch, and did comp study. Then we planned, had personal study, and went to our lesson with Leiloni. We taught her about the 10 commandments and following the prophet. After the lesson, we came home and finished our weekly planning. Then we went and met with Brother Jones. That ended the night.

Sunday

We had ward conference. It was really good. During priesthood, President Nelson explained what ministering is all about. It’s about bringing others the atonement of Jesus Christ. After church, we had lunch. Then we planned out the day. After, we went and had a lesson with Holland. We just read scriptures with him. I forgot to say that Nikki came to church, and we had a lesson with her after our meeting with Holland. Then after, we went and saw some people before we came home and had dinner. Then we did personal study and comp study for the rest of the night.

Well that was my week I hope you all had a good Sunday. I'll see you soon. Have a great week!!

Elder Hammond

Temple trip last week

Week 87 Temple Trip

Hello everyone! It’s been a long week. We went to the temple today, that's why I didn't email yesterday. Anyway, here's my week. 

Monday

We started with emailing home. Then we went to the grocery outlet and bought our food. After, we drove to the stake center in Ferndale, and President and Sister Wilding were there and had a p-day with us. We played basketball, volleyball, and spike ball with them. They also brought lunch and ice cream for after. Shala from the Laurel Ward was there as well. We had a great time with the whole zone. After, we drove back home and got changed. Then we went to go see people for the rest of the night.

Tuesday

We visited a lot of people and had dinner and lunch in today. No lessons.

Wednesday

We had district meeting. Elder Brown was with us while Elder Maldwin went to the departing temple trip with Elder Redd. Elder Redd went to Marysville and did work with Elder Krues while Elder Tolsly went with Elder Maldwin to the temple with all the other departing missionaries. At district meeting, Elder Brown instructed on personal revelation and how to receive it. After, we had lunch as a district. Then we had comp study. After, we went and saw all the widows and single members in the ward that we could, since we had 3 of us that day. Around 5, we got back with the other elders and went to Boomers. Then we went back to our area and did some more work until the day was over.

Thursday

We started the day with going to see some potential investigators in the farthest, highest part of our area. Not a lot of people were home. Then we came home, had lunch, and did comp study. Then we drove all the way down to Everett for a checkup appointment with my doctor. It was a long drive, and it was the longest drive I've ever done in my life. Everything is going great! After the appointment, we drove all the way back to Bellingham and had dinner with some members. Then we went and saw some people for the rest of the night.

Friday

We started the day with doing some weekly planning. Then we had lunch and comp study. After, we then went and saw some people for the day. We had lessons with Lailoni, Joey, and others. We taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Later that night, we had dinner with the Jones family. Then we went around and visited some more people. 

Saturday

We had tons of lessons. One was with Chris. We taught him about revelation and showed him President Nelson's talk on revelation. We also had a lesson with a less active named Brad Nebeker. We talked about how he can receive an answer to his prayers. We also had lessons with Nikki and Avery and taught them the plan of salvation. We had dinner with Justin Lon and his family. Then we went with Sister Chumley and visited a less active in the ward that was not doing so well. She has cancer.

Sunday

We went to ward council and church. After the whole service, we came home, planned for the day, and then we went and read scriptures with Holland. After, we went around to go see people. Later that night, we had dinner at the Shencks. Then we went with Brother Shenck and saw some people before the night was over.

Yesterday

We spent our day seeing people while everyone else had their p-day. It was a really long day. We started with helping someone in the ward move some things around in her house. Then we went and saw some people. After, we had lunch at Coconut Kenny’s with Elder Milner's grandma's friend. Then we came home and had comp study. Then we went out and saw more people. We went to have a lesson with Nate, but he had to cancel, something came up. So, we drove down to Sudden Balley and had dinner with the Bairds. After, we came home and saw Justin Lon so Elder Milner could say goodbye. I forgot to say he is getting transferred tomorrow. 

Today

We went to the temple early in the morning. We did one endowment session and some initiatories. We had lunch in the temple as well, and we just got back from there.

So ya that's my week. Sorry I didn't write much. I couldn't remember much from this last week. I hope you all have a great week, and I'll see you soon.

Elder Hammond

Alabama Hill in our area

Week 86 Easter Sunday and Conference Weekend were Great!

Hello everyone. This week has been pretty good. The most exciting part about it all was the weekend! So many changes have been made that it's showing the Lord is hastening His work in His time. I love it all, and I'm glad the Church is making these changes because we are learning more and more how to make God’s kingdom on this earth, to prepare for His coming. The news about the new temples is exciting! Yes, Utah will receive another temple. I think they should stop. We seriously have enough. Hearing that one will be in India blows my mind, but what blows my mind even more is that even with Russia being closed down for missionary efforts, they now are allowing a temple to be built in that country. It truly shows that the Lord is softening the hearts of his children more and more, and by small and simple means, brothers and sisters, the Lord is once again bringing a great thing to pass in Russia. I know that because the Lord has granted this temple to be built, Russia will once again open their hearts to us again, and this church will continue to spread throughout the world. Wha-hoo, this is so exciting!!! I learned so much from conference, but I won’t let that take away from my week, so here it is.

Monday

We emailed in the morning. Then we went shopping. After, we drove up to the stake center, and we were going to play volleyball, but once we got there, Elder Hunter gathered everyone to play basketball. So, the volleyball nets got put away, and the one who were sick of basketball, sat and watched them play for the rest of p-day. I'm really not surprised. They did it in Arlington the same way, and everyone swarms to it. That was kind of a waste of a p-day. I feel when we do things like that, I just waste it. I'll be honest, I'm not as good as the other elders, plus they are all like 10 times bigger than me, so I can't do anything because of those things. Plus, it gets really old because I've played it so much on my mission. I just get really sick of it. I mean, come on! We are in Bellingham. There is so much to do here!! After the wasted p-day, we then went home, got changed, and then went and saw some people. We had dinner around then as well but no lessons.

Tuesday

We started the day with seeing some people. We planned our day with seeing as many potentials and formers as we could see. After working for a while, we had lunch and comp study. Then we went and saw a lot of part member families. Later that night, we had dinner and a lesson with the Redelks. We read 1 Nephi 15 with them. After, we had a meeting with Bishop, and then we went home and ended the night.

Wednesday

We had district meeting. Elder Brown instructed on teaching our investigators relating everything to our purpose, the gospel of Jesus Christ. After, we had lunch. Then we ran to go see Edwin, a potential investigator, but he was not home. So, we came back home and did comp study. Then we went to the church. I went on a small exchange with Bellingham Bay, and Elder Mauldwin and I, drove down to Mount Vernon to pick up my prescription from Sister Wilding, while the other elders went to the lessons we had planned. Elder Mauldwin and I had a great time, and Sister Wilding was able to twist some knobs to allow me to get that prescription. (Side note from Rebecca...I think “twist some knobs” must be Jordan’s version of pulling some strings. =)) After getting it, I dropped it off at Rite Aid so that I could pick it up the next day. Then we drove to their apartment and exchanged back. Then Elder Milner and I went and had dinner. After we were supposed to have a lesson with Shane and pass him off to the YSA sisters, but he never showed up. So, we went back home and ended the night.

Thursday

We went by Rite Aid and picked up my prescription. Then we went and saw some people in the morning. We mostly saw people to invite them to watch conference. After, we then had lunch and comp. study. Then we went and dropped some brownies off to Sister Kavah that Sister Masterson made for her. She was so happy to get them. After, we went and had a lesson with the Sibleys. We taught Jessica the Gospel of Jesus Christ and made plans to go see Perry (AKA David) for later that night. David was in the hospital for depression. Now he is out and is doing a lot better. After, we went and saw more people. Then we had dinner. After dinner, we went and saw David with the Sibleys at the hospital. He was happy to see us and told us he would be at the Sibleys house today when we go and see him. After, we then went and saw Justin, our investigator. We just chatted with him. He said he was tired, so he couldn't talk for long. That ended our night.

Friday

We started the day with weekly planning. Then we went into lunch and comp study. After, we went to go see people. We got some return appointments with people and continued to inform people about conference. Later that night, we had dinner and a lesson with Nikki. We taught her about the Book of Mormon. After, we then went and saw the Parker boys. Elder Milner and they talked, and I sat there with my mind confused on what they were talking about. Everything they were talking about was beyond my time frame. It’s that moment when you realize you've been on your mission so long, and your companion who has only been out 7 months starts to quote shows, movies, songs, and other nerdy things you know nothing about, whether it be the graphics and how he describes it, or it’s just him talking about the new things. I never thought I would see that day come.

Saturday

Saturday was amazing! Most people go to conference with a question. I did this time, and I received and answer; however, I cannot tell said answer nor question. We went to the Jones home to watch the first session. It was truly amazing. I love the I am a Child of God talk, and Elder Ballard’s talk as well. So, many good ones. The Joneses also fed us breakfast, I forgot to mention. After the session, we went and had a lesson with Chris. We taught him about the 10 commandments and following the prophet. It went okay. After, we drove up to the stake center and watched the second session. I didn't draw too much from that one. After the session, we then stayed there, did personal study and then had our dinner. After, we watched the priesthood session, and we all got our minds blown with these new changes in the priesthood. After, we went home and did weekly planning for the rest of the night.

Sunday

We went to the stake center for the morning session. I loved this session because it taught me so much about revelations and how to be a disciple of Christ. It was so great!  I felt the Lord answering my question so strongly in that meeting. After the session, we had lunch and then planned the day. Then we watched the last session, and I stand with Elder Holland when he said, "President Nelson, stop giving us these revelations. We can barely keep up. We have weak hearts, but I guess you could help us with that too." I love that! Even though I love everything that has been given to us by the Lord, I do feel that it was given all too quickly. But what better way for the Lord to give His council. After the session, we went home and had comp study. Then we went and saw people. Later that night, we had Easter dinner with the Devrise. Then we came home and did our personal study for the rest of the night.

Brothers and sisters, I am grateful for the counsel that our prophet has given us this week. I am grateful because this is something the church has been missing for a long time, something I've notice since I was in my first area. Only because as members of this church, we procrastinate too much when we need to serve our fellow men. There are people out there needing a representative of Christ out there right now. Someone needs our help. Yet, as members of the church we don't attend to that person's needs. Too often, we go over to the member’s home and treat our visits like an assignment. Now I know I am guilty of it, but brethren, if you love the people you home teach, and you want to do everything you can for them, why would you wait until the last Sunday of the month to go and see them? If you truly love your ward, why would you wait for so long. I would ask the simple phrase, would Jesus Christ do that? Now being a missionary, I realize how much better I could have been, however, I let my pride get the best of me. Now that the Lord has helped humble me, I will do all I can to minister even when I get home as I have on this mission. To the sisters, you to a marvelos job, however you are sometimes no better than the brethren. There are many in this church that need just a friend, someone to help them whether it be doing dishes or even giving a gentle hug. I believe that God blesses us if we truly help those in need and minister to His children.

I'll end with a story of how my dad ministered to one of the families he was assigned. I will not give the real name of the family, but some of you may know who they are. We would go see this family twice a week. The family consisted of a single mom and 4 kids, one still a baby. The husband left the family for his own worldly choice which we cannot take away. However, this family had the hand of the Lord over them, and she and her family were being protected. One day, we went to their house to teach them a lesson. Before we went into the lesson, we talked for a bit. We found out that she wanted to get her back yard done so that the kids had somewhere to play. My father, understanding what he could do, took the challenge and went to work on her backyard. The ward helped to provide the means for the work to be down. Someone in the stake who owns a drilling and shoring company loaned my dad the equipment that he needed to prep the backyard and landscape it. My dad at the time did not have a job, so he made this his job, and it was way better because he was doing the Lord’s work and serving others. Hour after hour, my dad and I, along with my brothers, would work on that back yard. Me being so young at the time, I could not understand why we were doing this. One of the days my dad needed gas for the machine he was using to landscape the backyard, so the owner of the equipment came and brought his company’s gas truck to fill it up. After seeing the work he had done so far, the man was impressed and told my dad if he ever needed a job, he could talk to him and they could figure something out. Long story short, my dad got a job with the company, but that's not the point. Here is the point. We worked and worked and worked on that backyard, and we got it done. That backyard was so beautiful, I could not believe what we had done. Her parents came the day after we had finished, and because of what we did to help this family out, it made them weep. Now looking back at that experience, I have never had so much compassion and love for anyone on this earth then that family, and every time I walk past their house, I am reminded of them and how much I love them. At the time, my family had no income. We were surviving off our food storage which was not much, and my dad wasn’t having any luck finding a job, but my dad forgot about his problems and what he was going through and just decided to serve. Because we took the time to serve someone who was going through a harder trial then us, being a single parent with four kids, and many other things that great sister had gone through, we were able to feel genuine love for another child of God, and because so he rewarded us, not only with our burdens lifted, but as well with Christlike love for someone else. Brothers and sisters, this is why we minister as members, Missionaries have been doing it for centuries, and many other members as well. However, not all the church has done so. I testify by the power of the Holy Ghost that these are not my words, even though it is my story I tell, I do not tell it to a lot. I tell it to challenge, to testify, and to show my love. May we all do the same, I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Hammond

Easter egg care package for Elder Hammond.
Wrapped in heavy duty packing tape for his April Fool's Day trick...