12/20/16 Letter

We had some stuff happen this week! Saturday was our ward Christmas party. And boy, do they know how to party. The loudest music I've ever heard in a church, the most dancing (puts youth dances to shame), great food, and lots of less-actives. Both Jaime and Fernando came to the party, Jaime participated as Herod in the nativity. Sunday was just a little different from most, the high councilor who spoke didn't know Spanish, so he had a member of the bishopric translate. We made candy trains for Christmas too! we've been working really intensively with Fernando and he has enough questions that we're postponing his baptism. But Jaime is still a go for Friday. (we decided that Christmas Eve was too hectic for the ward members) We took our ward mission leader's son out to find some previous investigators and he loved it. He really felt invested in the work we did, and wants to stay in the loop about the people we talked to. It's clear to see how much of an impact missionary work has on members. And members move the work along much more than they realize. Monday p-days will be nice, Sundays are often stressful out here. We had snow on Saturday morning, about 4-5 inches but it's mostly gone now. On our way to morning sports our roommate almost killed us about 5 times, he's from St. George and has had no experience driving in snow. Oh, something weird here, they just cancel stuff when it snows. They cancelled the ward temple trip and part of the Christmas party because all these transplants from Central America are unwilling to drive in the white stuff. We finally cleaned our apartment top to bottom too. If you haven't had a chance yet, check out the church video, Light the World and think about ways to serve individuals. I also see more and more how important daily study of the scriptures is, along with meaningful prayer. Just do it! Make time. There's always time. Merry Christmas everyone!
Love,
Elder Hunt

12/14/16 Letter

So our p-day is actually changing after today, so I should be able to write this coming Monday, the 19th. It's been a good week. Fernando, one of our investigators got married to his girlfriend, Ana last Saturday! He said in his vows that he wants to take her to the temple! We're still working with him for a baptism Christmas weekend. I went on my first exchange on Sunday night. I went with Elder Aurich to serve in the Stamford area, a little south of my normal area. He's a great missionary and he's a lot better at learning Spanish than I am. He helped me think about what I'm really supposed to learn here and what I might be able to offer to others. We "happened" to find a new family of investigators that night too. I say "happened" because nothing's a coincidence. These people were so receptive. Another investigator of mine and Elder Brower's, Jonathan, set a bapdate for January 28! He is willingly reading the Book of Mormon and learning to pray. He really likes to learn about the Plan of Happiness, and how it's our own choice where we end up. Nobody makes us get where we're going, it's all on us to choose to walk with the Savior. I'm sure most of you have seen the Christmas Initiative, Light the World. If not, go to mormon.org right now and watch the main video and the one for the 15th. We truly can do as Christ did and serve those around us. Even more effective than big projects are little acts to individuals, to people, to children of God. President Smith, when talking about baptisms, says "souls". That brings a little more meaning to me, this persons means more than we usually realize. Love those around you. Do something more. And choose where you want to be. I kjnow that God loves us. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, for the world and for each soul I close in His name, amen.
Love you all,
Elder Hunt