On Time Mail...(Miracle)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was a looooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggg one, Monday night we stayed with Shallowford, because we had to go to Leadership training Tuesday, and Wednesday, so we spent a lot of time sitting in a car, and then had a 9 hour meeting both days, which was insane, but I really enjoyed it, because the Spirit was very strong, and I got to learn all about being a better teacher, and how to help other missionaries be better teachers. I really enjoyed the opportunity, and then Saturday, we had a fireside with John Bytheway, which was pretty cool, but again, it was in Lilburn, making a total of 3 round trips this week. Then you add on District meeting, and all the planning we did, and our week was all but shot, but on the good side, we're hopefully now ready to get things done more efficiently, so I'm excited to see what happens. Then, Sunday was pretty funny, the High Counciler over missionary work was in our ward, and he was getting very animated about our wards' lack of help for the missionary effort, and he coordinated with us about what he can to do help us out, so hopefully things start picking up a little. We also heard from him a really cool story about one of our investigators that he knows. He told us that this mans house is usually surrounded by ravens, but the first time we came to meet him, he noticed that the ravens flew away, and there were songbirds singing all around, so that was pretty cool to hear. Apparently we have some flock of songbirds following us around, luckily they don't drop surprises on us, because that would be terrible. Anyways, I would like to talk about the importance of the holiday season, at this time of year, the Spirit tends to touch people more, because they remember the birth of the Savior. It is a great time to share the gospel, and will surely open doors for great missionary opportunities. They say that every new convert, or returning member needs a friend, so be that friend that could help someone come back to the fold, it truly brings joy to my soul to be able to share the gospel with others, and I can witness that it will do the same to you. One of the greatest joys in life, is giving others the blessings you enjoy. Contemplate for a minute if you will all the blessings that come from having the Atonement in your life, and then imagine your life without them. When I do this, I picture nothing but emptiness, and disappointment, now ask yourself, who can I bring those blessings to, and if you can't think of anyone ask the Lord to bring you someone, and I testify that he will, then just as the Prophet Nephi, go and do as the Lord commands and offer the greatest gift that can be given to mankind, the Atonement, and I promise you, that you will feel the joy of being a missionary in your life. I testify that our Heavenly Father needs our help, and he will do what he can to help us, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Elder Hughes