Week 69 - #GilaValleyChallenge

The #GilaValleyChallenge:

The first week of a brand new zone is over. It's crazy all up in herr. There has been miracles already, and although our area is pretty slow at the moment, we've been able to help out some other areas. On Friday we had MLC on top of Mount Lemmon, church is crazy, and miracles have been seen. 

MLC!! It was weird to see us in jeans.

I'm in a very good mood. This morning I had an eye doc. appointment. I ordered 6 months worth of contacts and she came back with the receipt, the lady said, "I didn't charge your card because someone paid for you already." what???? It's was over $100! It hit me how charitable people are. Her name was Tami, but had left already. It's instances like that where you feel you have taken things for granted. Maybe finances aren't a struggle for someone, but it may be for others where they have to use their faith in many ways. That lady however, will be blessed.

Remember Kobie one of our invests. a few weeks back? Apparently he's on the verge of gettin' kicked out of his house because he's trying to contact people and wants to pursue this gospel. His mom has taken away everything of his. All we can honestly do is keep him in our prayers. Extra prayers always go a long way too :]

The dinners have been crazy. Most days we fast breakfast and lunch, and then have 2 dinners haha. I've only had 4 meals in 3 days...the sun just beats it out of you. 

This was our appointment with the Lord? God loves to lead us to dirt. But nonetheless, there was people we were supposed to talk to!

We did however come across a new investigator for us. At the home of some YSA, a guy named Carlos asked us to help him...so he pulls us aside and asks for some help with him and his broken up gf...hmm...he's a non-member....we pulled the gospel into it and tried to help him out. We're meeting with him tonight again and he says he wants to pursue! Can't wait and we hope to set a date tonight.

1Nephi20:6

One big focus lately has been referrals! It's been proven many times that the more referrals you give out to other missionaries, the more work comes into your own area. It's SO rad. So although our area may be slow at the moment, we have been able to send out some referrals. One of them we taught last night on splits with those missionaries. The lesson with the 16 year old went well while Elder Lowe and I went and taught 2 investigators, which also went really well. Sacrifices are always worth it, because a sacrifice ends with a blessing.

Along with that, we are always out doing SOMETHING, doesn't matter what. Out walking, praying for where we should go while looking at a map, you name it, there is always things to do.

On Friday we went to Tucson for the monthly MLC meeting. This time, since it was President and Sister Killpacks last MLC, they took us up on Mount Lemmon. Our faces show it too :D #rudolf It was crazy to hear President's last MLC meeting and the testimonies and trainings that were given were amazing. Both of their testimonies are memorable. The focus was on finding by our faith, the transition, and a lot of other things we're excited to take back to our zones. They gave us a few minutes to bear our testimonies as well. It was so cool to bear your testimony on a cliff at MLC about families and the 1st vision. Never forget. Our mission had more baptisms in April than any other AZ mission, which they have never seen. There are incredible things happening in this mission, which means miracles are happening in zones, districts, and companionships.

I guess they were looking at my camera. It was so rad. I wanted a parachute.

WE contacted a former NFL football player! What's up!! Not interested -_-

Elder Hickenlooper and Bleyl doing wuurk.

Yesterday in sacrament, someone sang a navajo song and talked about their culture, another guy gave out his number over the pulpit along with other stuff, and another guy came across that he isn't sure if this church is true. hahah. It was crazy talking with the Bluth's afterwards. hahah

Someone asked me if I was from Australia after I prayed haha. I don't know here the accents come from.

Nonetheless, it has been a CHAOS type of week with fixing cars, inspecting the zone's cars, getting new missionaries settled in, organizing many things, MLC, and then working in our own area. I've been pretty stressed out, but it's stress aimed towards the benefit of others.

Every morning at 6:30am, our zone wanted to do something. So, every morning at 6:30am, Elder Netane and I sent out a zone text that is either a workout challenge, or a question. #GilaValleyChallenge First companionship to finish/answer it and texts us back, wins 6 points for the day. It's rad and INTENSE! hahah we love our zone. There's a ton of change that's happening up here, but it's because kicking Satan's trash. wootwoot.

1Nephi21:9-11

Not much else has happened, I can't even remember what's happened in the past week. This week is zone meeting, exchange with the assistants, and some other things so it should be a good one! In all honestly, I'm grateful to serve. It has been one of the most humbling experience of my life. There are so many things that happen that make you want to do more, become better, and strive for the best. The gospel is true, and the blessings are the same for anyone, regardless their situation. I love it with my whole heart. 

Have a good week everyone!! Love y'all. :D

Monster.

-Elder Hales