Dear Family and Friends,
We had a very crazy week this week, we moved apartments. On top of that we had lots of appointments, and a miraculous experience with one of our investigators. She was commited to come to church, but ended not sleeping much the night before, and was in a lot of pain due to a rotator cuff injury. So she prayed about being able to come, and told the Lord that if this was what he wanted her to do, he'd have to make the pain bearable, and it disappeared completely and never came back. I've felt so grateful to have witnessed such a miracle, and am still astonished that it happened. We also met a new lady this week that we commited to be baptized July 2nd, so hopefully things go well there. She also had a neat story. She just moved here from Alabam, and was looking for a church so she typed in an address on her GPS, and the GPS mistakenly led her to our church, and she loved it. With all the stress of moving and things going on, I was very grateful that the Lord would be so gracious to us. We are teaching some amazing people, and so many good things are happening, they just keep hitting these roadblocks that are keeping them from getting baptized. We'll get through though, I know we will. Heavenly Father will prepare the way. I realize it's been a while since I bore my testimony, and I'd like to share it with you today: I know God lives, and is our loving Heavenly Father. He has a plan for us that is centered around the Atonement of his only begotten son Jesus Christ, and desires our Exaltation. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, our Savior and Redeemer, and the only way we can return to the presence of God. I bear Witness of his Atonement, and the power it contains to change lives and hearts, and purify us through the power of the Holy Ghost, whose presence in our lives I testify of. I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet anointed by the Savior himself who opened this last dispensation, and that he translated the Book of Mormon by the Gift and Power of God. I Bear Witness that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and will lead us back to him. I testify that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God, and that this is the true and living church of Jesus Christ on the earth today, in his sacred name, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Short and to the Point
Dear Family and Friends,
This week we had a scary experience, we lost the keys to our apartment, thankfully we were able to find them after some searching, and all turned out well. I must admit it scared me though. My bike has finally quit trying to fall apart (took some tlc), and is now doing very well. The weather is getting very warm, but overall isn't too bad yet. Our baptism has been moved, we're not sure when to yet, but hopefully not too far. We're getting ready for President and Sister King to leave, it's a sad time but I'm sure the new President will be great. We'll probably be moving apartments this week, so that will make things interesting, and hopefully help us be able to accomplish more. I know the Savior lives, and loves us, I know we can be a part of his great work, and I testify that this gospel is the key to Eternal happiness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week we had a scary experience, we lost the keys to our apartment, thankfully we were able to find them after some searching, and all turned out well. I must admit it scared me though. My bike has finally quit trying to fall apart (took some tlc), and is now doing very well. The weather is getting very warm, but overall isn't too bad yet. Our baptism has been moved, we're not sure when to yet, but hopefully not too far. We're getting ready for President and Sister King to leave, it's a sad time but I'm sure the new President will be great. We'll probably be moving apartments this week, so that will make things interesting, and hopefully help us be able to accomplish more. I know the Savior lives, and loves us, I know we can be a part of his great work, and I testify that this gospel is the key to Eternal happiness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Late but....with a Reason
Dear Family and Friends,
We had transfers last Tuesday, and had a giant service project monday which is why my email is late this week. I got a new companion Elder Horne, from Kaysville. He has only been out for 3 months, and hasn't been on bike yet, so I've been hearing a lot of complaints, and had to spend a lot of time waiting. Apparently I've gotten pretty speedy in the last year. It's been fun to work with him so far. They also changed the District boundaries so now we have the Portugese Elders, which is super cool. I thought the District would shrink, but it actually grew. We're all getting excited for President Wolfert to come in next month, but saying goodbye to President and Sister King is going to be really difficult. Everything is working out for our investigator that is preparing to be baptized, and hopefully the 12th will still work. We've had a big push in the mission lately on planning and goal setting, and it's really helped us change the way we look at things. I'm getting nervous about coming home, but I try not to think about it. It's hard with all the reminders we get all day long. I don't have too much to write this week, so in closing I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Book of Mormon is true, and this is his church on the earth in his holy name, Amen.
We had transfers last Tuesday, and had a giant service project monday which is why my email is late this week. I got a new companion Elder Horne, from Kaysville. He has only been out for 3 months, and hasn't been on bike yet, so I've been hearing a lot of complaints, and had to spend a lot of time waiting. Apparently I've gotten pretty speedy in the last year. It's been fun to work with him so far. They also changed the District boundaries so now we have the Portugese Elders, which is super cool. I thought the District would shrink, but it actually grew. We're all getting excited for President Wolfert to come in next month, but saying goodbye to President and Sister King is going to be really difficult. Everything is working out for our investigator that is preparing to be baptized, and hopefully the 12th will still work. We've had a big push in the mission lately on planning and goal setting, and it's really helped us change the way we look at things. I'm getting nervous about coming home, but I try not to think about it. It's hard with all the reminders we get all day long. I don't have too much to write this week, so in closing I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the Book of Mormon is true, and this is his church on the earth in his holy name, Amen.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Weekly News
Dear Family and Friends,
Guess what? Transfers are tomorrow, and over half of my District is being transferred! (dun dun duhhh!!!!) But not me, my companion is, so as of tomorrow, I will officially have filled up my Preach My Gospel companion list. Crazy, but at least I have a few more areas to go before the other side gets filled up. We have had a strange week, we had a training with President King Tuesday in the District, then another training wednesday. Needless to say, it was a training week. I did learn some pretty cool stuff, and was reminded of how to be more effective in some other things. Hopefully in the future it helps us do better. The people we're teaching right now are making some good progress, but unfortunately we weren't able to see them last week excpet for one. Thankfully he has accepted the challenge to be baptized and is preparing for June 12th. It's pretty exciting considering it's been almost 7 months since we've had one. But I'm feeling very positive that more will come. We're doing a lot of work with the ward, and helping them do missionary work, and hopefully it starts to bear some fruit. Some of the important things we learned this week were about goals and planning. In life if we don't have goals, we'll never push ourself to achieve the things we want to. I've also been blessed to see some things that have happened over the course of the last 18 months in a different light, and it's really made me grateful for the Lord's hand in things. I know that he loves us, and he has a plan for us to become like him and return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. I testify of that, and that the fulness of the gospel has been restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives, and because he lives we too shall live! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Guess what? Transfers are tomorrow, and over half of my District is being transferred! (dun dun duhhh!!!!) But not me, my companion is, so as of tomorrow, I will officially have filled up my Preach My Gospel companion list. Crazy, but at least I have a few more areas to go before the other side gets filled up. We have had a strange week, we had a training with President King Tuesday in the District, then another training wednesday. Needless to say, it was a training week. I did learn some pretty cool stuff, and was reminded of how to be more effective in some other things. Hopefully in the future it helps us do better. The people we're teaching right now are making some good progress, but unfortunately we weren't able to see them last week excpet for one. Thankfully he has accepted the challenge to be baptized and is preparing for June 12th. It's pretty exciting considering it's been almost 7 months since we've had one. But I'm feeling very positive that more will come. We're doing a lot of work with the ward, and helping them do missionary work, and hopefully it starts to bear some fruit. Some of the important things we learned this week were about goals and planning. In life if we don't have goals, we'll never push ourself to achieve the things we want to. I've also been blessed to see some things that have happened over the course of the last 18 months in a different light, and it's really made me grateful for the Lord's hand in things. I know that he loves us, and he has a plan for us to become like him and return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. I testify of that, and that the fulness of the gospel has been restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He lives, and because he lives we too shall live! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Monday, May 16, 2011
News for the Week
Dear Family and Friends,
This week we had our last Zone Conference with President and Sister King. It was a really powerful conference, but a sad experience at the same time. I got to go on exchange with the other Elders in my District, and we had a lot of fun, but my companion goofed up and missed dinner one of the days, so we had to apologize. We had a couple really neat teaching opportunities, one with a sister that has been away from the church for a long time, and one with a young man that grew up without religion in his life. They were both powerful lessons, and we really tried to listen to the Spirit to help them know what Heaenly Father wanted them to know. The work seems to be starting to pick up, things are beginning to roll forth, and hopefully things start to happen pretty soon. We're trying to continuall improve, and really focusing on asking members to help us in seeking revelation about how to do the work of the Father in his way. The members here are great, they're a lot of fun, and I enjoy serving with them. Especially our bishop, he's such a great guy, and he loves to help us in any way he can. Since the Temple opened, it really seems like the Lord is pouring out his Spirit upon the people here, and softening and preparing hearts. It's such a funtime to be a missionary, the work is difficult, but it's so rewarding that all the effort is more than worth it. I would like to share some few thoughts this week about the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Key to Exaltation! If you seek to live worthy of, listen to, and obey it, it will lead you straight back into the presence of the Father having accomplished all that you were foreordained to do, and there you will sit down on the right hand of the Father eternally, to go no more out. I can say nothing more straight forward, and simple than that, and I testify with all my heart and soul that what I just said is the truth. God bearing witness of it. We must do what is necessary to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost Always, in the name of the Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
This week we had our last Zone Conference with President and Sister King. It was a really powerful conference, but a sad experience at the same time. I got to go on exchange with the other Elders in my District, and we had a lot of fun, but my companion goofed up and missed dinner one of the days, so we had to apologize. We had a couple really neat teaching opportunities, one with a sister that has been away from the church for a long time, and one with a young man that grew up without religion in his life. They were both powerful lessons, and we really tried to listen to the Spirit to help them know what Heaenly Father wanted them to know. The work seems to be starting to pick up, things are beginning to roll forth, and hopefully things start to happen pretty soon. We're trying to continuall improve, and really focusing on asking members to help us in seeking revelation about how to do the work of the Father in his way. The members here are great, they're a lot of fun, and I enjoy serving with them. Especially our bishop, he's such a great guy, and he loves to help us in any way he can. Since the Temple opened, it really seems like the Lord is pouring out his Spirit upon the people here, and softening and preparing hearts. It's such a funtime to be a missionary, the work is difficult, but it's so rewarding that all the effort is more than worth it. I would like to share some few thoughts this week about the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the Key to Exaltation! If you seek to live worthy of, listen to, and obey it, it will lead you straight back into the presence of the Father having accomplished all that you were foreordained to do, and there you will sit down on the right hand of the Father eternally, to go no more out. I can say nothing more straight forward, and simple than that, and I testify with all my heart and soul that what I just said is the truth. God bearing witness of it. We must do what is necessary to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost Always, in the name of the Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mail Call
Dear Family and Friends,
This week was a landmark in the mission field, I made my last call home....I'm not sure how I feel about that, but at least I wont have to worry about that any more. This week was another crazy one (they all are these days). We had a District Leader Council with President King, and I had a really cool experience there. I've been feeling that we really need to start working through the members of the wards, and loh and behold that's what President King told us to do. It made me feel like maybe I can recieve inspiration, and was cool. I also made a neat discovery in the scriptures that pertains to what we talked about. It says, "for ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God ye might recieve the promise." (Hebrews 10:36) So in essence we need to seek the will of the Lord, and act upon our impressions with all diligence being patient when we don't see immediate results, and know that the promises of the Lord will be fulfilled once you've finished the course. This also illustrates something we were told by Elder Pieper when he was here, he said "miracles start by Revelation." Which would be true since you have to obtain the will of the Lord to do it. It was a perfect description of how I've felt about some of the things we've tried before, I got discouraged when things didn't happen right away, but now I understand, and am prepared for the future. I feel very positive about our situation right now, and am very excited for the things that are happening. I would like to share one experience that we had yesterday.... I spent a good amount of time praying to know where we could find someone prepared to recieve the gospel, and I didn't feel anything. Several hours later at church, I still felt nothing. As we walked out of Sacrament meeting and into Sunday school class, and young woman in the ward walked up and introduced us to her boyfriend who asked us to teach him the discussions. That never happens! Later as I was sitting in Priesthood class, the words of my prayer that morning came back to me, and I realized that had been the answer to my prayer. At that point I was filled with such gratitude that my eyes began to water. It was one of the coolest things that has happened on my mission. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, that he knows and loves each one of us, and that he has a plan for all of us to help in this great work we are engaged in. He needs us, and we need to do all we can to serve him, and help him accomplish his divine purpose so that the earth may be prepared for the coming of our Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
This week was a landmark in the mission field, I made my last call home....I'm not sure how I feel about that, but at least I wont have to worry about that any more. This week was another crazy one (they all are these days). We had a District Leader Council with President King, and I had a really cool experience there. I've been feeling that we really need to start working through the members of the wards, and loh and behold that's what President King told us to do. It made me feel like maybe I can recieve inspiration, and was cool. I also made a neat discovery in the scriptures that pertains to what we talked about. It says, "for ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God ye might recieve the promise." (Hebrews 10:36) So in essence we need to seek the will of the Lord, and act upon our impressions with all diligence being patient when we don't see immediate results, and know that the promises of the Lord will be fulfilled once you've finished the course. This also illustrates something we were told by Elder Pieper when he was here, he said "miracles start by Revelation." Which would be true since you have to obtain the will of the Lord to do it. It was a perfect description of how I've felt about some of the things we've tried before, I got discouraged when things didn't happen right away, but now I understand, and am prepared for the future. I feel very positive about our situation right now, and am very excited for the things that are happening. I would like to share one experience that we had yesterday.... I spent a good amount of time praying to know where we could find someone prepared to recieve the gospel, and I didn't feel anything. Several hours later at church, I still felt nothing. As we walked out of Sacrament meeting and into Sunday school class, and young woman in the ward walked up and introduced us to her boyfriend who asked us to teach him the discussions. That never happens! Later as I was sitting in Priesthood class, the words of my prayer that morning came back to me, and I realized that had been the answer to my prayer. At that point I was filled with such gratitude that my eyes began to water. It was one of the coolest things that has happened on my mission. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, that he knows and loves each one of us, and that he has a plan for all of us to help in this great work we are engaged in. He needs us, and we need to do all we can to serve him, and help him accomplish his divine purpose so that the earth may be prepared for the coming of our Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love,
Elder Hughes
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Late News is Better Than No News...
Hey,
Don't freak out, I didn't have time to email on Monday, my companion made an appointment without telling me, and we had to cut our email time short. I have had a bad week, a lot of crazy stuff happened. We got to see the Rededication of the Temple which was cool, and the cultural celebration, but there were a lot of strange things. I wrecked on my bike (bikes fault), and tore up my right hand. My bike got sabotaged while we were at dinner (someone cut the valve stem, bent the rim beyond repair, and ruined my chain), and then we had a fiasco trying to get it fixed. Some guy gave us a ride, and tried to tell us that we were being deceived while attacking our beliefs. And then in District Meeting, we almost started arguing over something. But, I'm doing alright. My hand hurts though. But, on the bright side, I didn't break anything, and I'm still going. We're really trying to change the way we do missionary work, so I'm imagining things are going to be pretty slow for a while, but I think that in the long run it will be a big help. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't worry too much.... Talk to you Sunday! Love ya!
Love,
Elder Hughes
(send some mail...spread a little cheer)
Don't freak out, I didn't have time to email on Monday, my companion made an appointment without telling me, and we had to cut our email time short. I have had a bad week, a lot of crazy stuff happened. We got to see the Rededication of the Temple which was cool, and the cultural celebration, but there were a lot of strange things. I wrecked on my bike (bikes fault), and tore up my right hand. My bike got sabotaged while we were at dinner (someone cut the valve stem, bent the rim beyond repair, and ruined my chain), and then we had a fiasco trying to get it fixed. Some guy gave us a ride, and tried to tell us that we were being deceived while attacking our beliefs. And then in District Meeting, we almost started arguing over something. But, I'm doing alright. My hand hurts though. But, on the bright side, I didn't break anything, and I'm still going. We're really trying to change the way we do missionary work, so I'm imagining things are going to be pretty slow for a while, but I think that in the long run it will be a big help. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know so you wouldn't worry too much.... Talk to you Sunday! Love ya!
Love,
Elder Hughes
(send some mail...spread a little cheer)
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