Week 4 MTC

Another letter addressed to Mom.  I suppose she has earned preferential status over the years as his confidant and advisor on a daily basis.

As you read his entry this week it is evident that he is being led by the Spirit each day and experiencing the little miracles that can happen daily when in the employ of the Lord.  Ironically in my letter addressed to him this week I shared a couple of scriptures with him from the Saviors teachings on faith and the power of exercised faith.  His letter to us below, unbeknownst to us, was about the same subject.  Coincidence…maybe but more likely the message of the Spirit is consistent for what he needs in this stage of his mission.

 If you read in the book of  Mark the Savior teaches his apostles about the power of faith when he explains about what great miracles will happen if they (we) ask in faith.  See Mark 11: 22-24 when the apostles are asking how he controls even nature as shown by the fig tree withering at his command.  Then cross reference that to 3 Nephi 18: 20 when the same promise of faith is given but with the addition that it must” be right”.      

paraphrased....Ask Heavenly Father for something in the name of Christ,  if it is right, truly believing and  it will be given to us.  Faith indeed can be powerful if we understand the ability to excersize perfect Faith.  It is truly a lifelong pursuit which I have yet to master… but Chase seems to be grasping the magnitude of  the promise.

Here is his letter:

Mom,

I am doing pretty good. This week has been a lot of faith and diligent work. I have learned so much about faith and how it plays in our life. In Moroni 7 it talks about faith, hope, and charity. They said if we do not have these three things we are nothing and are lost. Faith is such an important role in the work and in our life. I got some notes from a Hermana on Faith and she got  the notes from a teacher Hermano Coles. Hermano Coles is an amazing disciple of Christ. He is an example to all missionaries of how we need to act in Faith and go forward with the work. Even though there are times where you do not know where to go or what to do. You can put your trust in the Lord and He will support you in everything. My testimony of faith and also the understanding has grown significantly. My struggle has exercising in the faith that I have. So many people are decieved by faith being a thing to say and not to act. Faith is an action word and this is my spiritual insights this week.

"Faith is Confidence. Faith doesnt necessarily happen when you are kneeling down, but when your out doing something about it. What we see is what we allow ourselves to see what we do is what we allow ourselves to do. Dont doubt its gonna happen. Faith is the difference in missionary work."

All of this pertains to Faith. I encourage you to read, study, and ponder Moroni 7 and Hebrews 11. 

The pictures will come soon ha I dont want to send pics until my memory card is full so thats what I am waiting for!!! PLus some good news my estimated departure date is April 4th!! Tell emily she was right lol This means I only have like a little more than 4 weeks left!!!! Also our district is gettting smaller which is sad because Elder Tays has not left for Guatemala yet because he had some paperwork issues (no visa required) he said it was some kind of authentication record that was not done or something so he leaves this Tuesday. He will be missed for sure! This past week has definitely been learning one and I absolutely love it to death!!! Oh yeah thanks for the packages Grandpa and Grandma Hall, Grandpa and Grandpa Reid, and of course my mom/family lol. I would not be anywhere else in the world right now. God be with you All and thank you for the love and support!!!

Oh yeah funny story, so Elder Brixey was telling me to come into his room so I go into his room then Elder Bateman (Zone Leader) was hiding in the closet and jumped out and scared me so bad and he recorded it! haha pretty funny I think. The MTC food is starting to mess up my stomach lol

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Week 3 at the MTC

Great letter from Chase this week.  It begins below addressed to "Family",

At this stage in the MTC we read "between the lines" that he has been struggling to feel like he is mastering the language.  His mom and I have felt impressions this past week that he needed some extra prayers in his behalf to help him over this hurdle.  If you could petition the Lord to provide help for him in your prayers we would be very grateful.  As you read below you can see his attitude is great in spite of the challenge.  MTC life can be the uplifting and frustrating at the same time.  This is the paradox of promises based on long suffering.... the learning curve is very steep but the blessings are greater.  He will be a great missionary as he relies on the Spirit to teach him.  Read his favorite scripture from Alma he mentions below.

ps.  We can also see he hasn't lost his sense of humor....

Family,

I am doing fantastic and thank you for the prayers. I have had a good week and had a bit of a struggle. Spanish is starting to get to me and I am still pressing forward though. I am studying spanish even harder because we are starting to teach in spanish and I tried it once and I didnt say anything in spanish. I couldnt say anything I was so frustrated and then I prayed for help and comfort and My prayer was answered. Never under estimate the Lord He is always willing to provide. Each day I am here my testimony grows and grows as I learn about the Savior. Jesus Christ is so amazing and is really there to help us. The MTC is an amazing place and you learn so much I love my teachers Hermano Sturgill and Hermana Harris. Both of them are really good teachers. Our district is getting smaller  because Elder Tays and Elder Eyre are leaving us for the Guatemala MTC on Tuesday. They are so awesome. Elder Tays is from Safford, Arizona and he said we should stay in contact so we could rooom together at EAC!!! Our district is now down to 5 Elders and we are still strong. This past week has definitely been a hard one and I am grateful  for it because the Lord wants me to succeed. I hope everyone is doing well. I am starting to lose myself in the Lord's work and is really helps. I am so grateful to be out here and I have met some amazing missionaries!!

Well my spiritual thought is I can recite the Jose Smith Primera Vision!!! " vi una columna de luz, mas brillante que el sol, directemente arriba de mi cabeza, y esta luz gradualemente descendio hasta descansar sobre mi, al reposar sobre mi la luz, vi en el aire arriba de mi a Dos Personajes, cuyo fulgor y gloria no admiten descripcion. Uno de ellos me hablo. llamandome por mi nombre y dijo. ensenalando al otro "Este es mi Hijo Amado: Escuchalo!" Yo se que Jose Smith fue un profeta y a traves Jose Smith el evangelio de Jesucristo fue restauro en la tierra nuevo.

Funny story is Hno. Sturgill was telling us how we are going to be out in the field and there is not going to be any toilet paper and you have to be a man and use your hand. Then you take bird seed and coat it on your hand and raise it in the sky, so you can catch a bird for something to eat lol He was dead Serious!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Hermano Sturgill was just kidding he just made that up for fun lol!!!! I know my mom will not appreciate this oh well! I thought is was pretty funny!! Oh yeah I need mints and they do not allow gum here. My Favorite Scripture is Alma 36:3!!!

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

MTC Week 2

I am posting Chase's letter from his second week in the MTC.   Note at the bottom of this post I left his address should anyone want to drop him a line.  He certainly is enjoying the letters.  Once again Mom gets the preferential treatment with his letter addressed to her.

Mom,

I know this week has gone by quick and I am busy everyday. Thanks for the packages from grandpa and grandma Reid and I have tons of treats now lol. I knew you would break down for the dog! Hopefully its still there when I get back.

 

This week has been really good some up and downs,but I am pressing forwad with faith and giving my all to the Lord. I need to keeep trying to forget myself and do the Lords work. I have taught the first lesson about 6 times to all different investigators! Very spiritual and challenging but I know it will help me in the end. We had our first TRC, which is basically teaching live investigators, and also practicing our spanish with live investigators. So we got assigned to a room and had to go meet someone and talk to them about the Gospel by giving them a short testimony of what we know and its hard. Anyways my companion and I went in and I was totally blank!! I felt so lame, but eventually I started to talk in spanish and they understood what I was saying!!! So that Is a bonus. Spanish is so hard to come and practice, but I need to keep at it. Aftter we spoke spanish we taught the first lessson in English thankfully!!! I have found that teaching is not easy it really involves the Spirit and really trying to meet the needs of the investigators. So My companion and I were teaching the first lesson to the "investigators", all of the investigators we teach are other missionaries basically, anyways we taught and the spirit just guided us to meet every investigators needs and it really turned into an amazing lesson. I can testify that the Spirit testifies of truth not the missionaries!!!

 

That was my spiritual experience, now for my funny experience all of my district is super funny they are Elder Tavita, Elder Braegger, Elder Brixey, Elder Eyre, and Elder Tays. two are from St. George, Utah. One is from Taylorsville, Utah. One is from Safford, Arizona, and My companion is from Spanish Fork, Utah. My companion is awesome and loves to work, but sometimes is a little lazy but I like to push him and pick him up. The funny story is we all have a problem with the food giving us gas, especially from Elder Tavita he is so bad but super funny guy. He is originally from Somoa! He is going to Honduras too! But not my companion and my mission. He is going to Stevens mission!!! Love the experience here still losing myself in the Lords work and there are so many spiritual experiences!! Also Chelsey I need some addresses lol I need Sidney Merryweathers, Katie Brigg's, Ashley Lindblom, and whoever else you think I should write. Well thats all for now hopefully I answered everyones questions. If you have anymore write me on DearElder.com and I can write a letter back to you as soon as possible.

 

My address is

Elder Cory Chase Hall

MTC Mailbox #222

Hon-Teg 0404

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

First Week in the MTC

Chases wrote his first letter back to the family.  I can say that we were all very relieved to hear from him since it is no longer possible to stay in touch on a daily.  He sounds great and we appreciate everyones love, support and prayers in his behalf.  It is apparent that he is quickly catching the spirit of his calling.....

From Elder Hall, (he addressed it to his Mom which makes her very happy)

Thank you for the emails that you and dad have written me. They are very comforting and helping. My P day is on Mondays and I am going to write in between 11:30-4:30. The MTC is really good and I love the feeling that is present here. Mom did you get my letter? Well sounds like you have had fun in UTah and yes the cold here is ridiculous. It has snowed a couple of times here and it is very annoying! My companion is great and we get along fine. He is different, but I love him anyways! It was a little rough the first couple of days, but I prayed for patience and guidance to serve him. His name is Elder Andrus. So far we are starting to understand each other and fulfill each others needs. My district is awesome they are super funny and love the gospel. It is kind of weird because I am not really homesick I guess my setting apart blessing was right!!! My days are always full of things to do and I love being busy and serving the Lord everyday. My zone leaders are awesome and are a really good example to me!

It is really fun meeting everyone and hearing there stories. It is just like my house back in  college except more focused and productive. I have met many friends here from Utah and Arizona like Joey Owens, Jj LeMoine, Bryan Smith, Steven Westover, Brady Fenn, Keaton Secretan, and David Pedersen. all of these missionaries are amazing and know what there purpose is. I love the gospel and love getting to know my Savior everyday. My testimony grows everyday and I absolutely love it!! My favorite part of the day is personal study and I love finding doctrines and principles that are of Christ. I get to basically study and teach everyday and I am starting to get use to it. 

On Saturday Elder Andrus and I were going to teach for the first time in front of other Elders and it was a little nerve racking, but there was such a spirit when we taught and guided us to teach. We did pretty well considering our first time! I am positive me and my companion work really well together. We build off of each other which is really good! Its only been five days and I love the MTC experience. The spanish is coming slow, but I can listen to people speak spanish and understand it! Which means I am getting the hang of the gift of Tongues. Another story is we had a Zone Supervisor come and talk to us because we are new and he talked about what our main purpose as missionaries is. He spoke about how our job is to baptize and retain the people. His speech and how booming his voice was making me tremble spiritually. I was not scared but he blew my mind away of what our purpose was. 

My main teachers though are Hermano Sturgill and Hermana Harris. They are really good teachers and love the gospel. I have learned so much!!! Love you all!!!

Love,

Elder Hall

And so it begins.......

Chase's big day arrived today.  He was due at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) today at 1pm. 

The drive from Gilbert yesterday took about 11 hours total.  He traveled with his mom, dad, sisters and niece in the old Ford truck and even drove for several hours just to keep himself mentally occupied.  It was a nice chance to reminisce about growing up together and all of the great memories he will hold until he returns in a couple of years.  It was evident that the emotion of saying goodbye and the anxiety of waiting has worn on him.

The largest adjustment today that we saw was going to be getting used to single digit temperatures.  In fact as we crested the mountain pass between Panguitch and Beaver the temperature gauge hit 2 degrees.  He will surely miss AZ for that reason alone over the next few months.

Mid day today the entire family traveled to Provo, stopped by Taco Amigo on the way per his choice for a final meal and took a few pictures at the Provo Temple.  It was a very emotional time.  He kept expressing over and over that he just wanted to get to the MTC and get started.  He really was ready and will be a good missionary.  We finally gave in and took him through the gate 10 minutes early.  We wanted to keep him longer.

As we pulled into the drive through at the MTC we were directed curbside and were received by many missionaries waiting to help unload and assist the new arrivals.  We gave our last hugs, shed many tears and watched him walk away with bags in tow.  The vision of him walking away will not soon leave our mental image album.  What a bitter sweet event given that we couldn't ask for a better experience and choice by Chase yet.....an empty place will remain in our hearts until he returns.

Our final thought........One of the most telling signs of his readiness to go today was shown when he put on his backpack, grabbed his large roller equipped suitcase and walked up the sidewalk to the MTC doors.......not once did he look back.  I believe that will be his mindset for his mission.

God Bless