Happy Holidays from Georgia

Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been an enjoyable one, in the Spirit of Christmas President King asked us to focus on serving people, to emulate the love of Christ in others lives, and as we tried to do so, it made the season a lot more special. At the Mission Christmas party that we had Tuesday, we talked a lot about traditions, and their importance, and it really got me thinking about how important traditions are in the foundations of families. They are the basis that we can use to invite the Spirit into our homes, and teach our children important gospel principles in ways that will help them learn more powerfully than just rambling on. They say that actions speak louder than words, and that is definitely true in the case of being an example of the believers. They say that the most important duty we have in this life, is to raise a family in righteousness, and no success can compensate for failure in the home. I would like to add my testimony to that truth, the righteous traditions that we establish our families on will be the foundations of gospel learning for generations to come. I've done a lot of reflecting this week, and as Iv'e done so, I've really become frustrated by the lack of care that seems to run rampant in the hearts of the children of men. Too many of us in this world are so caught up in this world, and the pursuit of joys that come from it, that we neglect of forget to search out the truly important things. If this pattern continues, the world truly will dwindle in unbelief, and God's Plan that he created for all mankind will be a failure. I truly cannot understand why someone would not be willing to obtain the blessings available from the gospel, simpoly because it sounds like a lot of work, or might require me to do something that I don't like. I never in my life wanted to serve a mission, because I was/am terrified of what I do every day, but to think of all the experiences that I've had since I've come, I cannot believe that anyone would not want to do this. I know we all have weaknesses, God GAVE them to us on purpose, and he promises that if we turn to him he will make our weaknesses strenghts. We have so many gifts given to us for our benefit and learning, so that we can reach Exaltation, and I think it's about time we give back to God. In the words of President Uchtdorf, we need to get back the basics, realign our desires, and get ourselves on the straight and narrow path to Eternal Life. May I remind you that anything short of reaching Eternal Life is failure to live the Gospel. The greatest gift we can give God is to Love him, and if we Love him, we will obey him, it becomes so natural. I ask you, Why can you not Love God with all you heart, mind, and soul? I testify that if you do this, he will lead you to Eternal Life. It wont be a burden, it will be a blessing. In the words of Christ, "Whosever will not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." So lets try a little harder to take up that cross, and lets reach a little deeper to Love the Lord, because I Love you, and he Loves you, and he wants you to come back, but Justice cannot overpower mercy, we must obey. I hope we all can strive together to work towards exaltation, know that I pray for you, I love you, I miss you, and I hope you're all doing well.

Love

Elder Hughes

Monday Mail

Dear Family and Friends,
Man this was an interesting week, Tuesday night I went and spent the night with the Zone Leaders down in Sandy Plains, because we had to go to another meeting in Lilburn Wednesday, and it was fun, but the couch I slept on was like a rock, and I didn't sleep much. The meeting was cool, and President taught us some cool stuff, and helped me understand what I can do to help the District I'm in charge of more. I also had the opportunity to ask him for a blessing, because I'd felt like I needed to, and it was such a cool experience, just thinking about it makes my eyes water. The Spirit was so powerful, I just felt so loved, and confident, and glad to be where I am that it made me cry, and President gave me a very powerful blessing that had helped me a lot. Then, we had to head home, and that's where things got hairy.... On the way home, we took the freeway route, which ended up being a very bad idea. The temperature dropped below freezing, and there was a light mist of rain falling, and very soon the traffic came to a screeching halt. We got on another freeway, and very soon the same thing happened, and 2 of the other missionaries in the car started making fun of the cars on the other side of the road, because they were driving 25 miles per hour of less, in no traffic at all, but they quit laughing when they saw the first suv sideways in the middle of the freeway.... Needless to say, the roads iced over very quickly, and getting home became quite a chore. Luckily we made it without harm or accident, but the hour long trip ended up taking 5 and a half, and to top it all off I had to use the bathroom the whole time. Anyways, the rest of the week was uneventful, just working with the members and teaching away. Our main investigator is getting much closer to baptism, but unfortunately I think he's going to be leaving before it happens, but oh well, onward and upward. I'm really starting to think this ward wants to get rid of me, on account of all the comments being made recently about how long I've been here, so I don't what that means, but oh well, I can't control that. Anyways, I'm so grateful for this awesome time of the year, and for all those of you who've sent cards of gifts, I extend my sincerest thanks, you're help is so much appreciated. I would like to bear you my witness of the reality of the Priesthood, it is absolutely real, and it absolutely contains the power to strengthen, and uplift us in our life, and help us accompish the Lord's will. I know that our Savior lives, that his life and example are the key to returning to the presence of our Father, and that his Atonement makes it all possible, I testify that this gospel is true, that God knows and loves his children, and that he wants to and will help us as we ask in Faith. I love you all, and leave this with you in the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ Amen.
Elder Hughes

Getting Ready for Christmas

For Family Home evening this week Craig and his companion went to help a nice family put up a Christmas tree and make sugar cookies. They were nice enough to send me an email and share some pictures with me. (I'm sure the missionaries had NO problem eating those homemade cookies)

Mail's Posted

Dear Family and Friends,
Brrrrrrrrrr, it's a blistering 34 degrees outside and there is some furious wind blowing. There is SNOW on the ground here in Georgia, and just in case you don't believe me, I sent pictures. But yeah, last night was the coldest night I've ever spent here, it was freezing, and the wind was howling. If it would've snowed very hard, it would've been blizzard conditions. Anyways, the missionary work this week has been slow, it seems like everyone is sick this time of year, and everybody's leaving town. But we're moving on, and hoping things get better. nothing too exciting happened this last week. We got to help a family decorate for Christmas, and clean up their yard. We also go to teach a lesson at mutual about the importance of mail to missionaries (I had nothing to say), and testimonies, and it was pretty fun. This week was a good week however for learning, I've really been impressed lately with how the scriptures can answer questions and resolve concerns. It seems like every time I have something come up, I open up to right where I left off last time, and boom, there's the answer. It's really cool to get to see the Lord watching over me like that, but it's saddening to think that people don't want that in their lives. I hope we all this wonderful Christmas season can take time to make a new years resolution to read the scriptures more, I know it will strengthen us, and bring us closer to our Father in Heaven. I also hope that we will all take the opportunity to invite people to feel the Spirit of the season throught the scriptures and trhough church, because this truly is a blessed time of year. I love you all, and I hope all is well. Thank you for your support, know that I miss you.

Love,
Elder Hughes

Big News From the Mission Field...

Dear Family and Friends,
This week was an interesting one, we had a specialized training with President King Friday, and WOW is all I can say, I never would've thought the words he said would ever come out of his mouth. I'll quote him "I do not want you to tract anymore!" I (along with 74 other missionaries) was blown away. We're now going to be relying on referrals from the members to teach people, because (drum roll) we're now using Mormon.org as our primary proselyting tool. So, this is going to be interesting, because we're in a unique transition phase where we know what's going on, but the Bishop doesn't have a clue, but President King is working on training them. This is crazy, we are actually asked now to spend time learning everything there is to know about the site, and how to use it. If I may, I would like to encourage all of you to check it out, and create a profile on there. So that's the big shake up this week, that and we found out last night that my companion and I are staying together another transfer, which means, I'll have spent more time in this area than the previous 5 combined, which is just absolutely nuts, but it's fun. That's all the big news this week, nothing to exciting outside that happened. I hope you all are doing well, thank you for your support, love, prayers, and letters, they mean a lot to me. I pray for you, and I hope you all are doing well.

Love,
Elder Hughes