Week 72 - Last zone conference w/the Killpacks

"I have never been so tired before in my life than in this area, even more than football." 

-Elder Netane

This past week was another example of how if you always go to work, even when you can barely function because you're so tired, God leads you to people. It says "..even when you are tired." in PMG, and it's so true. Sleep means nothings anymore haha.

This past week was the setup for great things. #miracleweek Things are picking up!!

Sister Killpack keeping the tradition going of cutting a decorated tie of all the missionaries they worked with. Going to be very missed.

Last week started by us having our last zone conference with the Killpack's. Elder Netane and I along with the other ZL's did some training, which went very well. It was about the ordinance of the sacrament for investigators. Afterwards, President and Sister Killpack gave some incredible testimonies, then at the end, they asked us to get in a line to shake their hands since we won't see them again. (Elder Netane and I will see them tomorrow morning to open up a church - one last time!) I told them I'd see them at Oak City Days in Delta. They are such incredible people. President Killpack has always been there for any of us, to counsel, and support. Going to be missed.

Our LAST Zone Conference with the Killpack's. Such an awesome meeting. One last picture with our zone and them.

"If you don't make the small sacrifices, He won't ask you to make the big ones." 

-President Killpack

2 Nephi4:3-6, Jacob 5:75

OUr trainer's 'dying' ties

While on exchanges with Elder George, the morning started off with a meeting with President Bryce - President of EAC. He talked with us about how he feels missionary work can be done most effectively. He pointed at me and said "You have the golden area out of the whole mission." and I do believe it, especially come August when next semester happens. I was asked what I thought if I was transferred a week before the semester, so who knows. I'll probably be here until right before the semester, or a month after. But all that matters, is that we went to work and helped the work progress. As long as missionaries come wanting to work, the Lord will bless them. So excited to see what happens to this area.

Doing our transferly DL exchanges with Elder George. wootwoot! 

The missionary force. At an investigator's home. He was in the bathroom for like 45 mins...so we took a pic. and rescheduled.

At dinner on exchanges, a lady [Tan Bingham] comes up: "Are you Christy's brother? She says hi!" hahah got to love it!!! So many nice people here.

Service at 5:45am. We ran there to get our morning exercise.

Appointment with the Lord is one of my favorite things to do on exchanges. We did one and felt to go to 14th street. We got there early so we said a prayer of what to do. We headed up to 12th street and saw a girl outside and asked her if she knew someone that could use help? She said "down on 14th street.." so boom, there's our answer. On 14th street we met two people, one who is not interested but we cleared up a LOT of things about our church. The other person was looking for a church and wanted to do family history! 

Our zone had a convert baptism! I was able to interview Bailey and her brother who was re-baptized. Interviewing people for baptism is one of the COOLEST opportunities.

On a nightly basis, we pray as a mission for 1) familes 2) potential familes for those in YSA. Well, we found one! While walking along in our family ward boundaries, we knocked on a house where two guys came out and told us to come back later. We did so, and there was still 2 people there. One of them a member, and the 15 yr old who wasn't. We sat down, and within 15 mins., 5 more people came and gathered around the table. We taught the entire Restoration and almost set some BD's. They said they felt "something" after the 1st vision - the spirit was there! They also read the BOM! We will follow up with them tomorrow and are praying hard that things can progress.

While talking to a guy, who wasn't interested but loved to talk, I set my comp. up for an analogy after he brought up music: "you know, music is sort of like the Book of Mormon, Elder Netane has a great analogy too!" *Looks at me and starts laughing* well that went well haha.

While planning one night, my comp. felt we should go try a member who hasn't been able to come to church in a while. We showed up there and a girl named Morgan was there - 17 years old and will be a senior in HS. Things went really well and we were able to teach a solid Restoration to her. We would have set a baptism date, but she had to leave for work right before extending the invitation. Apparently she had talked with Diego about the church and he had asked what she thought about meeting with missionaries. We had no idea, and yet, God sure did! We'll pass her off to the right missionaries and see what happens!

Saving a pup out of his yard. (Brian is in the background - his wife is a recent-convert). Such down to earth people. They always give us ice cream because he's an ice cream man part time! Nothing's better than ice cream walking hours in 105 weather.

This past week was a great week, and yet it set us up for an even greater week. We have appointments with people who wanted us over where we hope to help them progress! Yesterday more people said they were coming to church than any other week. Our zone almost did better in every area. Good things are happening and God is pouring out his awesome blessings! 

Reading this scripture really stood out to us yesterday

D&C 64:33

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying a foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

Well that's a quick sum up of the miracle week we had up here. I don't have time to write about all the little things. I've noticed in myself since day 1 in the MTC, that I can recognize God's hand in my life more than ever. That's why it's harder and harder to write home each week. THERE'S TOO MUCH STUFF! Why is God so awesome? Hopefully what's said in these emails home can brighten someone's day :D Bishop Bluth will be using a picture off of here for when he teaches a lesson next month. Awe yeah! We're also part-teaching the 5th Sunday lesson next week in our family ward. Let the trainings, lessons, begin! 

I love you all so much! Keep being a boss.

+Elder DJ Hales