HEY FAMILY!
It's been a great week here on the east coast! We found a bunch of new people to teach, and the ones we had are finally starting to move forward. Let me share a quick experience about prayer. We have an investigator, who has previously been dropped. This just means that missionaries have given him a break. So we reviewed the Plan of Salvation with him and asked him to pick a date to be baptized. He looked through the calendar, and picked a date about 10 weeks out. We encouraged him to think about an earlier time, and told him that we believed he could be ready much sooner. He chose June 3, which is still a ways out there, but it worked for his schedule. We had him ask God right then and there if He thinks its the right timing. he prayed, and got an immediate answer! He knew by the power of the Holy Ghost that the third of June is his day to be baptized into the true Church of God. Prayer really works! Sometimes it's the only source of comfort and support available. God does love us and wants the best for us. he wants the best for YOU. I know it.
Love,
Elder Hunt
Monday, April 24, 2017
04/03/17 Letter
Hey everybody!
Sorry this will be a short one. Conference was amazing! So many good things. I needed the talk by Elder Rasband. Also, the church has released a new video for Easter! Check it out on mormon.org for a quick spirit-boost. We use this video in our finding efforts, and it really opens people's minds and hearts to talk about Jesus. I know we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that Christ lived, died, and lived again. I'm grateful for the peace He offers me. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Hunt
Sorry this will be a short one. Conference was amazing! So many good things. I needed the talk by Elder Rasband. Also, the church has released a new video for Easter! Check it out on mormon.org for a quick spirit-boost. We use this video in our finding efforts, and it really opens people's minds and hearts to talk about Jesus. I know we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know that Christ lived, died, and lived again. I'm grateful for the peace He offers me. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Hunt
03/27/17 Letter
Hey everybody!
It's been a weird kind of week. After the baptism, everything calmed way down. Like, nobody in the city wants to talk to missionaries. Okay, maybe not quite like that, but it's been a tougher kind of week. We did have a miracle, though. We were looking for a less active in an apartment complex, but his supposed apartment was vacant. Elder Baker said he wasn't leaving without talking to someone, so we knocked on a few other doors. It was already dark, so people weren't answering. We said one more prayer, and asked for an opportunity to find someone. We knocked on a couple more doors, no answer. On our way out, went went the long way. There was a man crossing the street to our side, so we matched our pace to run right into him! We talked for a moment and introduced the Book of Mormon. He accepted a copy, and seemed like he intended to read it. God answered our prayer, at the end of the night, in a way we weren't expecting. He is in the details. He knows the desires of our hearts. Also, this week was fast Sunday. This was my best fast so far on the mission (obviously not to brag). The key is to have a question, specific and direct. And the answer comes! I'm so excited for conference! I think I'll be watching it in Spanish, so that will be interesting for sure. Bring a question to conference, study it out before, and somebody will say something that will answer your question. I know the Gospel is true, and it works for everybody. Whatever problem we face, Christ can help.
Love, Elder Hunt
It's been a weird kind of week. After the baptism, everything calmed way down. Like, nobody in the city wants to talk to missionaries. Okay, maybe not quite like that, but it's been a tougher kind of week. We did have a miracle, though. We were looking for a less active in an apartment complex, but his supposed apartment was vacant. Elder Baker said he wasn't leaving without talking to someone, so we knocked on a few other doors. It was already dark, so people weren't answering. We said one more prayer, and asked for an opportunity to find someone. We knocked on a couple more doors, no answer. On our way out, went went the long way. There was a man crossing the street to our side, so we matched our pace to run right into him! We talked for a moment and introduced the Book of Mormon. He accepted a copy, and seemed like he intended to read it. God answered our prayer, at the end of the night, in a way we weren't expecting. He is in the details. He knows the desires of our hearts. Also, this week was fast Sunday. This was my best fast so far on the mission (obviously not to brag). The key is to have a question, specific and direct. And the answer comes! I'm so excited for conference! I think I'll be watching it in Spanish, so that will be interesting for sure. Bring a question to conference, study it out before, and somebody will say something that will answer your question. I know the Gospel is true, and it works for everybody. Whatever problem we face, Christ can help.
Love, Elder Hunt
03/21/17 Letter
What a week! Our numbers don't show it but it was crazy. Tuesday we had a big snowstorm, which prevented us from driving. We studied inside for a while then went out to teach. We rearranged our appointments to be able to walk to them reasonably, then got to it. It was nice to be out, but there were no sidewalks! We were perfectly safe, though. Nobody here dares to drive in the white stuff. That night we helped prepare on of my longest-running investigators for baptism. Wednesday we held our postponed district meeting in which I gave my first training, then we had a split with the other Spanish elders in the district. During the split we had a baptismal interview with our investigator to see if he's ready. He passed, of course. Thursday we got back to normal, and tried to plan the baptism
out. Friday, we had a wedding! One of our investigators got married to a less-active member. Missionaries outnumbered family members, because the did it really short notice. This investigator is really willing to make changes to be in-line with God's commandments. Friday night we finished up planning the baptism (we thought) and tried to teach English class, but nobody came. Saturday, we found out that people we had asked to help us with the baptism weren't going to be able to help us. So we scrambled most of the day to figure something out. In the end, we ended up asking the bishop for help, and he said, "give me two minutes, I'll take care of it." What a guy. Saturday night was the planned baptism. We had asked this investigator, Fernando, to be there a little early, about 6:15. We were there, getting things ready, before 5. 6:30 rolled around, a couple members had arrived, but the Hispanic members are generally a little late. 7:00 came and went, pretty much everybody who was coming to watch was there, but still no Fernando. We're still trying to figure out what to do, apparently he had worked a little late. Plus, the ride for one of our speakers had to cancel, so he was stranded 25 minutes away. But Fernando was able to pick him up. They got there at about 7:30, we got him changed and ready to go and got the program started. The speaker we were waiting for, a recent convert of mine, did an amazing job. The other speaker did well, too, and we had a special musical number performed by a sister missionary who's going home this week. Then, the bishop performed the baptism. Fernando wasn't 100% on the mechanics of going under the water, but it happened. I had extended the invitation to be baptized the first time I met him, back in the middle of November. And now it was happening. The rest of the night was great, the elders quorum had provided the food, so we enjoyed the pizza and taquitos with Inca Kola. Sunday, Fernando was confirmed. We presented him with a triple-combination and some of the now-nation-wide-famous cookies the Hunt family makes. Saturday night, we received transfer calls! Elder Baker and I will be together for another 6 weeks, making just short of 6 months for me here. I was told when I got here it was the best ward and the best apartment, so I'm grateful for my time here. Just kidding, the apartment's not important. It's the people. The ward members saved us with the baptism. They love missionaries. Almost all of the adults are converts to the church, they all remember the missionaries by name who taught them when their hearts were changed. They call them their angels. The Aaronic priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and baptism is done under that authority. This is something important. Baptism opens the gate to return to our Father in Heaven. And Saturday, I got to see my part in helping someone get there. I love you all, make it a great week! The Church is true, God loves you, and Jesus waits with open arms to receive you. Turn to Him and He will turn unto you.
Love,
Elder Hunt
out. Friday, we had a wedding! One of our investigators got married to a less-active member. Missionaries outnumbered family members, because the did it really short notice. This investigator is really willing to make changes to be in-line with God's commandments. Friday night we finished up planning the baptism (we thought) and tried to teach English class, but nobody came. Saturday, we found out that people we had asked to help us with the baptism weren't going to be able to help us. So we scrambled most of the day to figure something out. In the end, we ended up asking the bishop for help, and he said, "give me two minutes, I'll take care of it." What a guy. Saturday night was the planned baptism. We had asked this investigator, Fernando, to be there a little early, about 6:15. We were there, getting things ready, before 5. 6:30 rolled around, a couple members had arrived, but the Hispanic members are generally a little late. 7:00 came and went, pretty much everybody who was coming to watch was there, but still no Fernando. We're still trying to figure out what to do, apparently he had worked a little late. Plus, the ride for one of our speakers had to cancel, so he was stranded 25 minutes away. But Fernando was able to pick him up. They got there at about 7:30, we got him changed and ready to go and got the program started. The speaker we were waiting for, a recent convert of mine, did an amazing job. The other speaker did well, too, and we had a special musical number performed by a sister missionary who's going home this week. Then, the bishop performed the baptism. Fernando wasn't 100% on the mechanics of going under the water, but it happened. I had extended the invitation to be baptized the first time I met him, back in the middle of November. And now it was happening. The rest of the night was great, the elders quorum had provided the food, so we enjoyed the pizza and taquitos with Inca Kola. Sunday, Fernando was confirmed. We presented him with a triple-combination and some of the now-nation-wide-famous cookies the Hunt family makes. Saturday night, we received transfer calls! Elder Baker and I will be together for another 6 weeks, making just short of 6 months for me here. I was told when I got here it was the best ward and the best apartment, so I'm grateful for my time here. Just kidding, the apartment's not important. It's the people. The ward members saved us with the baptism. They love missionaries. Almost all of the adults are converts to the church, they all remember the missionaries by name who taught them when their hearts were changed. They call them their angels. The Aaronic priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and baptism is done under that authority. This is something important. Baptism opens the gate to return to our Father in Heaven. And Saturday, I got to see my part in helping someone get there. I love you all, make it a great week! The Church is true, God loves you, and Jesus waits with open arms to receive you. Turn to Him and He will turn unto you.
Love,
Elder Hunt
03/13/17 Letter
Not much time today, sorry!
It has been a tough week. Nobody wants to hear it, appointments fall through 90% or more, we've run out of people in our records, so we're trying to figure out what to do. But of course we just keep going. It's not about us, it's about them. And with the Savior on our side, we can't really feel bad about it as long as we're trying our best. President Smith tells us to remember the primary song, "If the Savior stood beside me." He experiences every rejection and disappointment that we do. And He already suffered for it. Thanks to Him, we don't have to feel bad. He is with us every step, encouraging and comforting. God doesn't want us to feel bad, that's why He gave His Son. The circumstances probably won't improve, so change yourself. Change your attitude, change your thinking, try something new. He's there to help you get back up. I love you all, keep walking. That's all He asks.
Love,
Elder Hunt
It has been a tough week. Nobody wants to hear it, appointments fall through 90% or more, we've run out of people in our records, so we're trying to figure out what to do. But of course we just keep going. It's not about us, it's about them. And with the Savior on our side, we can't really feel bad about it as long as we're trying our best. President Smith tells us to remember the primary song, "If the Savior stood beside me." He experiences every rejection and disappointment that we do. And He already suffered for it. Thanks to Him, we don't have to feel bad. He is with us every step, encouraging and comforting. God doesn't want us to feel bad, that's why He gave His Son. The circumstances probably won't improve, so change yourself. Change your attitude, change your thinking, try something new. He's there to help you get back up. I love you all, keep walking. That's all He asks.
Love,
Elder Hunt
03/06/17 Letter
Hey Family!
This week was pretty good. You might have heard we had a special visitor on Monday and Tuesday, Elder Gong came to help us out! He helped us remember how to remember. You might remember his talk from last spring conference. Also, he reminded us that God does great things through our small, everyday efforts. I was struggling Tuesday morning a little bit but the Lord takes good care of us. I was reminded of His love. I know He loves me. One story that was shared in this conference goes like this. There was this family, in Africa, with a very successful goat farm. Things went well, the family was supported but they had to work hard. But, one day, some of the goats got sick. By the end of the week, all of the goats had died. The father moved to the nearby city to find work, just to keep his family alive. Eventually, he rose up the ladder enough to pay for his son to go to college. His son attended and graduated from Oxford University, and moved to the United States. There, while raising his own family and building his career, he found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His family was sealed in the temple. Later, he asked himself, "what if the goat's hadn't died?" What 'tragedies' do we face, and how are they actually for our benefit? God doesn't cause bad things to happen to us, But, with the atonement of Jesus Christ, He can make those bad things a benefit to us. The scriptures say that all things work together for good, to them that love God. And all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. How might the tough situations we face now benefit us? What has come of our past struggles? We don't learn a darn thing when we're comfortable. Turn to God and see what he has done for you. I know that He loves me. I'm still working on things, but I know that it's worth it. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that through Jesus Christ I can be cleansed of sin and return to my Father, for which I am eternally grateful. I love you all, keep learning!
Love,
Elder Hunt
This week was pretty good. You might have heard we had a special visitor on Monday and Tuesday, Elder Gong came to help us out! He helped us remember how to remember. You might remember his talk from last spring conference. Also, he reminded us that God does great things through our small, everyday efforts. I was struggling Tuesday morning a little bit but the Lord takes good care of us. I was reminded of His love. I know He loves me. One story that was shared in this conference goes like this. There was this family, in Africa, with a very successful goat farm. Things went well, the family was supported but they had to work hard. But, one day, some of the goats got sick. By the end of the week, all of the goats had died. The father moved to the nearby city to find work, just to keep his family alive. Eventually, he rose up the ladder enough to pay for his son to go to college. His son attended and graduated from Oxford University, and moved to the United States. There, while raising his own family and building his career, he found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His family was sealed in the temple. Later, he asked himself, "what if the goat's hadn't died?" What 'tragedies' do we face, and how are they actually for our benefit? God doesn't cause bad things to happen to us, But, with the atonement of Jesus Christ, He can make those bad things a benefit to us. The scriptures say that all things work together for good, to them that love God. And all things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. How might the tough situations we face now benefit us? What has come of our past struggles? We don't learn a darn thing when we're comfortable. Turn to God and see what he has done for you. I know that He loves me. I'm still working on things, but I know that it's worth it. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that through Jesus Christ I can be cleansed of sin and return to my Father, for which I am eternally grateful. I love you all, keep learning!
Love,
Elder Hunt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)