Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been full of sick people. My companion was sick, a bunch of ward members were sick, and they told us all kinds of stories about everyone being sick. It is definitely the flu season around these parts, and I'm grateful I haven't gotten sick yet (knock on wood). We had to postpone our baptism this week. We met with our investigators father for the first time, and of course he'd been exposed to some very farfetched ideas that happen to make sense in our line of Doctrines, but he was very resistant, and rather unopen, so we decided it would be best to postpone the baptism so we didn't cause any problems with the family. I feel terrible about the situation, because as we were sitting there both the kids were with us listening, and when the father told us that he didn't want his son being baptized until he learned more, I saw the exitement drop out his sons face, and when we talked to him later, it was as if the light of the Spirit had left. I felt terrible afterwards, and I prayed long and hard. In my heart I felt like someone had just stuck a dagger right in me, and it strengthened my resolution to never let that happen again. As I pondered the situation, I realized how much I've come to love the family over the course of the time I've been here, and it amazed me. I'm glad the Lord is the one in control, because I doubt I could even attempt to fix what happened. We had Stake Conference this week, and it was funny because we didn't expect President King to come, but as we're standing there waiting for the family to show up, in walks President King. As he was walking by, he asks me: "How does it feel to serve in one area longer that the rest of your mission?" I told him I still wasn't sure. It was a good meeting, and the Spirit was very strong. I've really reflected this week on the importance of the Spirit in our lives, and I want to testify to you all, that it is the key, the very KEY, to the Lord's work being done by his servants here on earth (which is all of us), and we need to strive to do all we can to have it's companionship always. I know the Lord loves us, and will help us if we ask him, and do our best to be obedient to the subtel promptings of the Spirit, I know God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. I know Joseph Smith was God's chosen Prophet who restored the gospel to the earth in this the final dispensation, and I bare you my witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Mail's Updated...
Dear Family and Friends,
This was a rather long week due to a 3 day meeting we had with President King, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am - 4pm. It was long, but very good. We spent the time learning about the fundamentals of Preach My Gospel, the new missionary teaching curriculum, and working on improving our teaching skills, and it was very spiritual, and believe it or not, a lot of fun. This week was a very special one for me, because 2 of the most touching moments of my mission occured. Friday night we saw a family we've been working with since I got here, and we set a date with the son (12) for the 19th of February, which was very exciting. But then on the way home, I asked his mom how she felt about the church today as opposed to 7 months ago, and she told me that she believed it was true. Then 45 minutes lated while we were at dinner, she called to talk to me and told me a story. She said that recently she'd been kneeling beside her bed praying, and she started asking very specific questions for some reason, and she was amazed at how quickly her answers came to her mind. I wont quote the things she heard, but in short the Lord told her that this is his church, led by a Prophet, having been restored through Joseph Smith. As she shared the story with me, it touched my heart. Then Sunday I was sitting up on the stand waiting my turn to bear my testimony, and she came up and bore her testimony after I did, and again I was overcome with gratitude and love. It was so neat to see that one of Heavenly Father's children has been brought back to the fold. As I've been pondering this week, I'd like to remard about how much Heavenly Father wants to help us. When we meet the conditions laid out by Moroni in the final chapter of the Book of Mormon, Heavenly Father will answer our prayers so quickly that it will surprise us, and in ways we wont expect. For example when Joseph was in the Sacred Grove, he fully expected an answer to his prayer, and he had Faith, and as soon as he truly called on the Lord in sincerity, that instant he was delivered from the power of the adversary, and the Father and Jesus both appeared to him personally. We do have a loving Father in Heaven, and he does hear and answer us, of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
This was a rather long week due to a 3 day meeting we had with President King, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am - 4pm. It was long, but very good. We spent the time learning about the fundamentals of Preach My Gospel, the new missionary teaching curriculum, and working on improving our teaching skills, and it was very spiritual, and believe it or not, a lot of fun. This week was a very special one for me, because 2 of the most touching moments of my mission occured. Friday night we saw a family we've been working with since I got here, and we set a date with the son (12) for the 19th of February, which was very exciting. But then on the way home, I asked his mom how she felt about the church today as opposed to 7 months ago, and she told me that she believed it was true. Then 45 minutes lated while we were at dinner, she called to talk to me and told me a story. She said that recently she'd been kneeling beside her bed praying, and she started asking very specific questions for some reason, and she was amazed at how quickly her answers came to her mind. I wont quote the things she heard, but in short the Lord told her that this is his church, led by a Prophet, having been restored through Joseph Smith. As she shared the story with me, it touched my heart. Then Sunday I was sitting up on the stand waiting my turn to bear my testimony, and she came up and bore her testimony after I did, and again I was overcome with gratitude and love. It was so neat to see that one of Heavenly Father's children has been brought back to the fold. As I've been pondering this week, I'd like to remard about how much Heavenly Father wants to help us. When we meet the conditions laid out by Moroni in the final chapter of the Book of Mormon, Heavenly Father will answer our prayers so quickly that it will surprise us, and in ways we wont expect. For example when Joseph was in the Sacred Grove, he fully expected an answer to his prayer, and he had Faith, and as soon as he truly called on the Lord in sincerity, that instant he was delivered from the power of the adversary, and the Father and Jesus both appeared to him personally. We do have a loving Father in Heaven, and he does hear and answer us, of these things I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Last Week's Mail (that I just received)
Dear Family and Friends,This last week has been a good one, we had a lot of good opportunities to work with less-active members. We also had a good opportunity to talk with the entire ward about Mormon.org, and making profiles. I would encourage all of you that read this to make one, because it is the church's new direction with missionary work, and you could help someone become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ through what you say. the ward is giving us a lot of resistance, and it's frustrating, but we all need to understand that this is direction given from the Prophet that he received through Revelation. Anyways, things are going well, and hopefully we should have a double baptism in February, so I'm pretty excited. I would like this week to share with you my thoughts about obedience. The entire plan of Salvation is contingent upon our obedience. God has given us a lot of guides such as Prophets, Scriptures, the Holy Ghost, Families, the Church, but all these things don't mean a thing if we don't choose to follow the counsel we receive. I would ask that we all please evaluate how obedient we are, and find areas where we can improve, because that is the very key to happiness and protection in this life. God has made so many promises, and the blessings are ours but we have to choose to keep the associated commandments. I testify that this is true, that God loves us and is waiting to shower down blessings upon us. Please follow the Lord, he is the key to joy, true everlasting joy. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, January 24, 2011
News
Dear Family and Friends,
This week was a good one, it started to warm up again, only to find out that another storm is coming in Tuesday or Wednesday, so we might be snowed in again. We were able to have some good teaching opportunities with our top investigators, who are getting very close to baptism. We had an awesome experience in Gospel essentials class.... I was teaching since our Ward Mission Leader was out of town, and I was using the analogy of a scale to explain agency, and this one less active member kept making off the wall questions, and asking unrelated questions, and was completely disruptive, and the less active mother of our 2 investogators, who has come to church 4 times in a row, was trying to help me take control of the lesson again, and was even quoting from True to the Faith. It was really neat to see how much she's really studying, and wants to have a testimony. As I was saying last week, I've been looking at Charity a lot lately, and here are my thoughts.... The attributes of the Natural Man can be found in Proverbs 6, these are the 7 things tools that the devil uses to destroy us, and if we look in Moroni at the attributes of Charity, they all contradict those 7 things, and more. Charity at it's core is pure love like the Savior, and being filled with that pure love is like being filled with a refiners fire, it purifies and sanctifies us, and helps us to become like the Savior. In the end, love really does conquer all, because by having Charity, we've climbed the ladder through Faith, Virtue, etc. and have become like the Savior. Through love, we are motivated to follow Christ, keep the commandments, Repent, and we will be prepared to meet the Savior when he comes. I know these things are true, and that we should all strive to be filled with the pure love of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week was a good one, it started to warm up again, only to find out that another storm is coming in Tuesday or Wednesday, so we might be snowed in again. We were able to have some good teaching opportunities with our top investigators, who are getting very close to baptism. We had an awesome experience in Gospel essentials class.... I was teaching since our Ward Mission Leader was out of town, and I was using the analogy of a scale to explain agency, and this one less active member kept making off the wall questions, and asking unrelated questions, and was completely disruptive, and the less active mother of our 2 investogators, who has come to church 4 times in a row, was trying to help me take control of the lesson again, and was even quoting from True to the Faith. It was really neat to see how much she's really studying, and wants to have a testimony. As I was saying last week, I've been looking at Charity a lot lately, and here are my thoughts.... The attributes of the Natural Man can be found in Proverbs 6, these are the 7 things tools that the devil uses to destroy us, and if we look in Moroni at the attributes of Charity, they all contradict those 7 things, and more. Charity at it's core is pure love like the Savior, and being filled with that pure love is like being filled with a refiners fire, it purifies and sanctifies us, and helps us to become like the Savior. In the end, love really does conquer all, because by having Charity, we've climbed the ladder through Faith, Virtue, etc. and have become like the Savior. Through love, we are motivated to follow Christ, keep the commandments, Repent, and we will be prepared to meet the Savior when he comes. I know these things are true, and that we should all strive to be filled with the pure love of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Snowed In
Dear Family and Friends,
This week was a nice one, we were snowed in for 2 days, and the ice is still here. Everyone has been freaking out, and some people left their houses for the first time in a week yesterday. I turned 21 of Saturday , and it was hilarious. Sister King called me, and she said "whoo, you're legal, but I don't know what for." Later as I was thinking, I realized that I'm now the legal Mormon Marrying Age. Not suggesting anything by that, just making a statement. Then one of the Sisters made me my favorite cake (German Chocolate), so it was pretty awesome. Then we found out that I'm not getting transferred, which will make my time in this area more than the rest of my areas combined. Apparently there is something I'm supposed to do, and for the life of me I can't figure out what. This week was also good, because we have 2 investigators (little kids) that are getting close to baptism, and they've been to church twice in a row now. And on top of that, the Falcons LOST, so maybe we can actually get people to church now....Other than that, it's been a fun week, trudging through the snow, it was just like home, except more icy, and no one knows how to drive. I even slipped off my bike and landed on my behind. But, it's been fun, and I got lots of mail on my brithday, so I was very excited. That's about all for this week, I'd just like to ask you to study charity this week, that's what i've been looking at a lot lately, and I want to see if anyone gets what I've gotten out of studying it. The gospel is true, the book is blue, and God's a Mormon, Have a great week, love you all.
Love,
Elder Craig Hughes
This week was a nice one, we were snowed in for 2 days, and the ice is still here. Everyone has been freaking out, and some people left their houses for the first time in a week yesterday. I turned 21 of Saturday , and it was hilarious. Sister King called me, and she said "whoo, you're legal, but I don't know what for." Later as I was thinking, I realized that I'm now the legal Mormon Marrying Age. Not suggesting anything by that, just making a statement. Then one of the Sisters made me my favorite cake (German Chocolate), so it was pretty awesome. Then we found out that I'm not getting transferred, which will make my time in this area more than the rest of my areas combined. Apparently there is something I'm supposed to do, and for the life of me I can't figure out what. This week was also good, because we have 2 investigators (little kids) that are getting close to baptism, and they've been to church twice in a row now. And on top of that, the Falcons LOST, so maybe we can actually get people to church now....Other than that, it's been a fun week, trudging through the snow, it was just like home, except more icy, and no one knows how to drive. I even slipped off my bike and landed on my behind. But, it's been fun, and I got lots of mail on my brithday, so I was very excited. That's about all for this week, I'd just like to ask you to study charity this week, that's what i've been looking at a lot lately, and I want to see if anyone gets what I've gotten out of studying it. The gospel is true, the book is blue, and God's a Mormon, Have a great week, love you all.
Love,
Elder Craig Hughes
Monday, January 10, 2011
Birthday Week
Dear Family and Friends,
This week has been a crazy one, and it has all led to this crazy storm, and for the second time in a month it has snowed here in Georgia, which is unheard of. The ward has been going crazy making sure we're taking care of, but they just seem to think we don't know anything about anything, but at least they love us enough to care. I'm celebrating the big 2 1 this week, and man do I feel old. But on the down up side it's a big milestone for me, and I can officially be an adult. We have interviews with President King this week, so I'm pretty excited for that, but also scared since it's my first one as a District Leader. I've been thinking a lot lately about the why's of life, and I've come up with some interesting thoughts that I'd like to share. Everything about life can be related back to a tree, or trees. As parents God gives us the charge of supporting his children with the root system we have built, making our foundation in the gospel direly important, because if it isn't strong enough, then our children could fade or die altogether, and that is the worst thing that could happen to one of God's children. Furthermore, I've thought about why children tend to rebel when they become teenagers....and I believe it is because those are the years where they change, their environment changes, and they become the full natural man exposed to the full evil the world has to offer, and thus far in our lives we never have to face anything to hard, but when we hit that stage Satan unleashes his forces, and we have a whole new battle on our hands. This illustrates an important principle though, as it shows us how much God loves us, and how the church supports the family basis. God gives us the greatest gift we have to protect us before it hits, in time to learn how to be protected, and he gives us power against evil, which also has the power of the ministering of angels to protect us, and the church's goal for every young man to serve a mission, which requires careful preparation to lead us through the darkest of times, and when we finish, we've become a solid trunk ready for the road ahead, and able overcome anything we may face. Our Father in Heaven truly does love us, and he will help us as we rely on him. He has given us everything we need to succeed in mortality, of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
This week has been a crazy one, and it has all led to this crazy storm, and for the second time in a month it has snowed here in Georgia, which is unheard of. The ward has been going crazy making sure we're taking care of, but they just seem to think we don't know anything about anything, but at least they love us enough to care. I'm celebrating the big 2 1 this week, and man do I feel old. But on the down up side it's a big milestone for me, and I can officially be an adult. We have interviews with President King this week, so I'm pretty excited for that, but also scared since it's my first one as a District Leader. I've been thinking a lot lately about the why's of life, and I've come up with some interesting thoughts that I'd like to share. Everything about life can be related back to a tree, or trees. As parents God gives us the charge of supporting his children with the root system we have built, making our foundation in the gospel direly important, because if it isn't strong enough, then our children could fade or die altogether, and that is the worst thing that could happen to one of God's children. Furthermore, I've thought about why children tend to rebel when they become teenagers....and I believe it is because those are the years where they change, their environment changes, and they become the full natural man exposed to the full evil the world has to offer, and thus far in our lives we never have to face anything to hard, but when we hit that stage Satan unleashes his forces, and we have a whole new battle on our hands. This illustrates an important principle though, as it shows us how much God loves us, and how the church supports the family basis. God gives us the greatest gift we have to protect us before it hits, in time to learn how to be protected, and he gives us power against evil, which also has the power of the ministering of angels to protect us, and the church's goal for every young man to serve a mission, which requires careful preparation to lead us through the darkest of times, and when we finish, we've become a solid trunk ready for the road ahead, and able overcome anything we may face. Our Father in Heaven truly does love us, and he will help us as we rely on him. He has given us everything we need to succeed in mortality, of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Years
Dear Family and Friends,
This week was a slow one, everyone in the area was partying, and no one wanted to talk. We did however have a couple cool things happen. We had an less active member that we've been working with come to church for the first time in 6 months, and hopefully with the new church schedule she'll come regularly. We also had a member bring a friend to church that we are going to start teaching, so that was way exciting, and should be fun. We had a great testimony meeting, I got to bear my testimony, and it just felt so good to do it, and as I looked out over the audience, there were people crying all over the place, it was funny, but really cool to see the Spirit in action. I've made my new years resolution to do my best to have the Spirit with me more, and to listen to it more carefully. The reason I chose this is for two reasons, one because that's how the Lord guides us and I know that I need that guidance especially now, and if we have the Spirit with us, then we are justified (Moses 6:59). Which means that we are forgiven of our sins, or pure, and by that we can know that we are on the right path in life. I hope we all have taken the chance to make goals like this, because goals are important in our life, without them we aren't working towards somemthing, they give us direction and purpose. But, if you do make a goal please be sure to write it down, and remember it so that you can work towards achieving it. I love you all, and I want to you know that I know this gospel is true, that Heavenly Father Knows, and Loves us all, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that God answers prayers. I testify to you that by studying the Doctrines of the Gospel, we can change our hearts, and become born-again to be able to put of the natural man, and become true Saints Enduring to the End, when all the Saints shall dwell with God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week was a slow one, everyone in the area was partying, and no one wanted to talk. We did however have a couple cool things happen. We had an less active member that we've been working with come to church for the first time in 6 months, and hopefully with the new church schedule she'll come regularly. We also had a member bring a friend to church that we are going to start teaching, so that was way exciting, and should be fun. We had a great testimony meeting, I got to bear my testimony, and it just felt so good to do it, and as I looked out over the audience, there were people crying all over the place, it was funny, but really cool to see the Spirit in action. I've made my new years resolution to do my best to have the Spirit with me more, and to listen to it more carefully. The reason I chose this is for two reasons, one because that's how the Lord guides us and I know that I need that guidance especially now, and if we have the Spirit with us, then we are justified (Moses 6:59). Which means that we are forgiven of our sins, or pure, and by that we can know that we are on the right path in life. I hope we all have taken the chance to make goals like this, because goals are important in our life, without them we aren't working towards somemthing, they give us direction and purpose. But, if you do make a goal please be sure to write it down, and remember it so that you can work towards achieving it. I love you all, and I want to you know that I know this gospel is true, that Heavenly Father Knows, and Loves us all, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that God answers prayers. I testify to you that by studying the Doctrines of the Gospel, we can change our hearts, and become born-again to be able to put of the natural man, and become true Saints Enduring to the End, when all the Saints shall dwell with God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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