Constant phone calls/texts. Organizing. Teaching. Traveling. Meetings. Trainings. It's been another eventful week of the #missionlife! Elder Dalling is up in Gilbert at the temple with all the missionaries that are going home tomorrow morning. We'll be taking them to the airport. It's going to be very hard saying bye to this set. 26 of them are going home, including about 3 of them whom I've been companions with and have learned so much from. Oh boy.
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| Picture spot. Welcome to Tucson!! |
Meanwhile, we're still teaching people! Last week we were able to finish transfer board with President. Wow. A huge transfer with movement and closing areas. A while back, we were at 286 missionaries, and we are projected to be at around 200 in the oncoming months Helloo! Amongst the choas, we received a referral from a recentish-convert who fell away from the church for a while...she called us and asked us to go see her roommate! We headed over there and found Megan. She has been going through a lot. Growing up JW and not reading many scriptures in her childhood meant for a good Book of Mormon lesson. She has recently tried to end her life, but now is the time to really begin it. We have had 2 lessons with her and will set a BD with her when we're able to teach her again. The peace that you could see came over her after the lesson was amazing. When we went back another day, she was much happier. Both of them will be coming to church this week and are excited to be back in gear.
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| Kayla (left) and Kirsten (right) celebrating Elder Dalling's bday! |
While in a lesson with Lindsey, a member, she said "Listen for understanding, not response." The power of listening has stood out so much recently!! Not too often to we realize how much we're listening to someone, when in reality we need to! Talking is nothing without listening :D
A cool testimony-building experience from transfer board happened. After one day, being almost done with the board, President prayed (like usual) on his knees asking about the transfer, if it was right and to help know who may not be in a good spot. I remember very well looking up at the board and seeing all the pictures of the missionaries, and seeing them with none of their problems coming to mind, no negative things being brought to my thoughts, only seeing them for who God sees the becoming. When you see missionaries with that look, you can know where they need to go to find God's elect. It went in my journal. :D
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| #Christmascard. We love the Passey's. They are incredible people. |
We average about 5 hours of sleep each night. Holy crap.
Two days ago, I sang in sacrament meeting in a trio! It was our first time singing it with one of the guys, but it went well!
Man. This next week, it's time to travel around the mission once again! We'll be visiting with all the Zone Leaders going over a few things from last transfer and some more goals and other things. Gila Valley, Deming, Sierra Vista, and St. David here we come! Then next week is a little bit more less-traveling.
The work is progressing out here and I'm grateful for it. I can't believe I already have a new companion, Elder Teichert, and that Elder Dalling leaves tomorrow morning along with 25 others. I'm grateful to be able to work with God's children and to see them more and more as God does. No problems happen, when you see others as God does. Too bad I'm just a stubborn punk! I love the gospel and the chance to share our testimonies. I know that if we continue to always wake up at 6:30 no matter when we fell asleep, that God will give us the strength for that day. The new missionaries that have come in have so many things ahead of them. I sure am jealous.
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| Right after running with the new missionaries up to the Mormon Battalion, straight from the airport! |
Thanks to all who have sent me Christmas cards and letters along with packages. My heart is full yo!!
Good luck to my friends who are going home already!
Love you all mucho mas.
-Elder Hales
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