Monday, December 1, 2014

Week 95 - happiness comes from living the gospel.

Something I've truly realized is that true happiness comes from living the gospel. Kayla (recent convert) made a huge scripture chain about happiness about one of our lessons with her and Leticia, another recent convert. The lesson went super well about the importance of journal writing along with a mormon message. They are both very happy and the gospel has healed them both physically and spiritually. Pretty remarkable. 

hahah they say that money doesn't buy happiness....but money does buy a wave runner.....have you ever seen anyone not happy on a wave runner?

haha. Rad.

This past week we headed up to the Gila Valley and Sierra Vista for Thanksgiving. Up there we did some service along with some blitzs! The day was super great. I went on an exchange with an Elder Price up in Safford and was able to find a new LA to teach along with a new investigator who we set a baptism date with in the 10 mins of talking with him! Elder Price was inspired where for us to go that day, and it paid off! Seeing people up in the Gila Valley was SO good to see. I have so much respect for the YSA's up there and miss them all hardcore. The next morning we did a blitz in Sierra Vista and found a bunch of potentials! On our way there, we randomly stopped by a member's home that used to feed us and help teach investigators all the time. Their testimonies were very strong and they were great missionaries. We went over there and apparently they haven't been active in the church and only consider themselves "friends" in the marriage....oh man. We were able to be straight forward with them along with baring our testimonies. The spirit was there. Man. It was sad to see people go through rough times...I know that they'll come back soon enough.

Another inspired move! One of Elder Simpson and I's recent convert's had some very rough times that day. The 3 of us showed up at her door randomly after not seeing her since last April when I left, and she started crying right when she opened the door. It was a blessing to see what the gospel has done in her life since she was baptized. She truly is a testimony builder for many. We were able to share a message and try to bring some comfort to her and her kids and we hope that things will be well with them.

Alma56:47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
With a new missionary, Elder Coesins!
This past week, Elder Dalling and I went on 10 exchanges in 4 days...holy shoz. It was crazy! We can be honest to say that it wasn't the best week for our area, but the YSA's were gone for Thanksgiving. Tomorrow we'll be training at MLC about "The Power of Listening" and will be hitting on many key points that we hope will help the mission, shortly after that, all the trainers and new missionaries will be coming in for their follow-up training, and then on Wednesday we have a 5 hour Spanish Conference for 60 or so missionaries...in case you didn't know, I barely speak English. So it'll be fun. Our training tomorrow will be based a lot on Mathew 14:25-31 and the power of listening. We're suuper stoked!! :D When they know you're listening, they will feel the spirit.
Hmm...contacting on UofA campus during the ASUvsUoA football game....man, this town was CRAZY after the game.
One thing we have talked about quite a bit is being positive....we are faced with a lot of mission problems and things that need to get fixed. It's crucial to stay focused on the positive things no matter what. It's time to have a meeting! I love you all so much and love hearing from the things that are (or aren't) going on wherever you are! 

-Elder Hales

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