Monday, July 26, 2010

Dear...

Dear Family/Friends/Those who may or may not know me who read this anyways because it's semi-interesting/Everyone else,
This week was action packed, Monday night we gained a new companion (who I didn't meet until Tuesday, becuase I was on exchange in Woodstock), we are now a trio in Allatoona with Elder Brent Christensen. He's really cool, I was with him in my first area (not as my companion but in my apartment), and it's really nice to get to learn from a more experienced missionary again. I feel extremely inadequate to be trying to teach another missionary what he's supposed to be doing, but I am trying my best. Wednesday, we got to go on a split, and I wrecked on my bike on the way home, but luckily the only thing hurt was my bike and my pants. But, all those years in Home Ec. finally paid off. My pants look really funny, but at least they're not holy anymore (buh dum, ch). We had one of our investigators leave town for 2 weeks, so we're praying like crazy that she comes back the way she left. Because the night before she left, she agreed to set a date to be baptized when she gets home. We have also started teaching a Former investigator, and are making good progress with him, but he has a long way to go. We are still struggling with some of our investigators, but if they would ever make up their minds, we could baptize a ton of people. But, we can't force anyone to do anything since they still have their agency. The humidity here seems to be picking up, and it is absolutely nasty, I think I sweat more than I could have ever thought possible. We are still not having a ton of success finding, but we're trying some different methods so hopefully things pick up. I don't think I'll ever get over my being shy, it seems like no matter how hard I try it just never works. I'm really staring to feel like I just don't have a missionary type personality, because I'm just too laid back apparently, but I figure the Lord called me here for a reason, I just can't seem to figure out what it is. Transfer calls are coming up in 6 days, so I'll see if my streak keeps going. I'm guessing it will since there are a lot of things on the horizon here, it's about time for me to get transferred. President seems to think I wont, but I'm not going to take his word for it. I've been really impressed this week with the importance of reading the scriptures, it seems like every time I do I find something else that I need to do to be a more effective missionary, and occasionally person. So I would admonish you all to read them daily, but not just read them, ponder and pray about them and do all you can to apply to what you're doing in your life. I know that if we do that, the Lord will show what we need to do to further our progression, and to grow more like our Savior Jesus Christ. I truly appreciate all the support and love that you guys have been for me, and I hope the Lord is watching over you in all that you do. Love,

Elder Hughes

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mail's Here...

Hello,
This week was a hot one, and a wet one. We got caught in a couple big rainstorms while tracting, and I ended up getting soaked to the bone.But it was nice to get a break from the heat for a little while. We did manage to find a new investigator that came to church this week, and meet some of the less active members of the ward, who are all super nice, they just don't come to church for one reason or another. Things have been tough getting going here, because we don't know anybody and everyone seems to think we should by now. They keep telling us to do stuff, and I feel like it's impossible since they aren't trying to help us out all that much. Our Ward Mission Leader has been great, he's helping us out a ton, but he's really new to his calling so he's learning just like we are. The work hasn't really started to pick up yet, but it's definitely starting to look more promising. We have a lot of potentials, and follow up visits to work with this week, so hopefully things go well. We're going to try to start visiting other churches, and improve our relationships with them since there seems to be a lot of hostility due to previous experiences with missionaries. A lot of Pastors are preaching against us, so we're going to do all that we can to fight that and trust the Lord to make it work. This week has been a good testimony builder of the importance of hard times in life, we all face them, and we never know what to expect of them. Some are more trying than others, and some help us grow more than others. But the one comforting thing to know is that Christ has descended below all things, and knows the pains that we feel, as well as our stress and discomfort, and is willing to help at any time in our lives. But, what I want to talk about it being a disciple of Jesus Christ. As a disciple, we have a responsibility to help those arounds bear one anothers burdens, but as with any of the commandments or covenants we make the Lord has attached a promise. He tells us that if we lose our life to the service of others, we will find ours. This rings true in the case of our trials, when we help others face theirs, it helps us get through ours. Thus creating a mutual support system that strengthens and enlightens and uplifts both parties. This truly is a great part of the Lords plan for us in our lives, and he truly wants us to have help and support along the journey of our life, and since he can't do it himself, he asks us to do it for him. I know he does it because he loves us in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. I hope ya'll r doing well, and staying out of trouble. Ttyl
Elder Hughes

Monday, July 12, 2010

Adjusting in Allatoona,

Bonjour,

As you all know, I was moved again last Monday, and I'm now in the Allatoona ward. Things here have been kind of tough since the last missionaries didn't keep very good records of anything. It has made things extremely difficult since we can't find any of the people that they were teaching. But we're doing our best, and trusting that things will all work out. My new companion is Elder Arnett, he's a good missionary, and a hard worker which has been a nice change. This area isn't too fun, due to its' monstrous hills, and the fact that we're on bike, but hey at least I'm getting a good work out now. I feel like a fish, I've been drinking close to a gallon of water a day, but I think most of that is probably being sweated out of me. I often wonder what it must look like to see 2 white guys in white shirts and ties pouring sweat with backpacks on standing at your door, from the sounds of it it's not very appealing if you ask me, but what do I know. There have been some crazy changes going on in the mission world around the church, and I don't know much about it, but we're having interviews this week so we'll find out what's going on. I have a feeling that I may be here for a while since I need to get my behind in shape I guess. The work in this area seems to be going alright though, and the ward seems to be really good about reaching out to people they just keep hitting road blocks in the work. But, overall things are going alright, we're hitting lots of doors and hoping we can find the people we're supposed to. Anyways, love ya'll, hope to hear from ya soon.
Elder Hughes

Monday, July 5, 2010

Moving AGAIN...

Hello,

Well, this is officially my last letter from Shallowford, turns out I'm being emergency transferred to the Allatoona ward. I think this is probably due to the fact that for the last week my companion has had to stay in our apartment, and so the President is moving me and taking him to the Office so they can take care of him. Which means, I have set my speed record for serving in an area, making it not even 2 weeks here. We're leaving our current apartment at 6 o clock tonight, and I'll be heading on to my new area. My short lived stay here was quite a productive one, we got a lot of good things going in this ward, but unfortunately after we leave there wont be any Elders in the ward and I'm not sure how they feel about that. I think a lot of them will be hurt, but there's nothing we can do. This is a perfect example of how important it is for us all to know that no matter what happens, it's for our good. I'm not exactly sure why the Lord sent me here, but it ties into his plan somehow I'm sure. Needless to say, I think I now hold the record for the number of areas served in in 8 months. My bike has also had a lot of trouble this week, I've had 4 flat tires and a blowout, I have no idea why, but I hope I've got it all sorted out. Anywho, the work goes on. I've been very impressed this week with the topic of enduring to the end. We all face trials in life, we know we're going to, it's part of Gods' plan. So we should expect it, and do all we can to prepare for it. But there are times in life where we get thrown a curve ball, and it's those moments where we don't know what to do that we are truly tested and learn. It's at those points in life where we really have to dig in, do what we can, and lean on the Lord, and I know that if we do that, he'll carry us through. I've also been impressed with the importance of Obedience, it's the most important Christlike attribute, and is the basis for all blessings we receive. But my challenge to you would be to study the difference and importance of Strict Obedience, and Exact Obedience. I love you all, and I hope you're doing well.

Elder Hughes