Hodurus Week 2

Great letter from Chase today.  He sounds great and is settling into a normal schedule with his training companion.  He remains challenged with the language but to me it sounds like he is learning quickly. The cultural divide is large for him as he has never spent time outside of the country.  

 

Hot and humid seems to be the weather for him today and I find it humorous that he looks forward to the rainy season and potential hurricanes.  He will be fine. 

 

Enjoy

 

Family,

Well this week was up and down everyday. We would have a really good day then we would have an okay day. We have not had any baptisms but we are working on getting people to be baptized. We walk everywhere and talk to everyone. We have a couple of investigators interested but the only problem is not many people are married here. There is a big fine to pay for marriage and we have to help them pay for it to be baptized. Because of the Law of Chastity. The people are so poor and its crazy how they live in such small houses with no AC and live off what they have. My companion and I get along well and enjoy the work. His example to me has helped me realize what kind of missionary I need to be. I sometimes get frustrated with myself with spanish and speaking it but I cant get frustrated and I need to move forward and learn little by little. I had divisions with my zone leaders on wednesday and i was with Elder Contreras who only speaks spanish haha. THat was fun and I could understand him and stuff. I know the Lord is helping with my spanish everyday. My area is Límon de la Cerca which is east of Choluteca. They dont have addresses here for homes so sorry I cant give you an address. The branch that we are in is Ciudad Nueva i think. Yes we cook food on our own and no we do not do our own laundry we have a member do them. We eat mainly tortillas and frijoles. I had my first Honduran plate this past week which was beans, rice, and meat (not sure what kind though lol). Also tortillas, its pretty good and I am eating enough mom. I might have lost weight, I am not sure though. 

 

Well the iPod that I have died because I dont have a charger for it. So its dead and I am trying to charge but I dont know if its charging though. It might be broken not sure entirely. Well I had my first ingrown toenail and it hurts a bit and bleeds. I hope it heals fast but I am pretty good other than that though.

 

Something that was cool that happened was we contacted this one lady who was having a hard couple of days because they had a financial problem. She said that she was praying for help and we knocked on her door one night and she new that we were answers to her prayers. She is taking the lessons with her husband and they seem accepting of the gospel. I think its amazing how the Lord blesses people and how at the right time and place he sends messengers to those who need help. I am trying to help people here but my spanish is holding me back a little and its hard. But I know in time and hard work I am helping them some how. Its hard at times to speak and listen to what people say. I am trying to be positive and move forward. The gospel teaches everyone soemthing new everyday. Well this week is Semana Santa so we will see how many people  will be home and listen to the gospel. This should be a fun week!! Thank you for the support and prayers. Also the rainy season is coming up and I am excited for the storms to come. They say there is going to be some hurricanes maybe in May so we will see what happens. God Speed.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Honduras or bust......his first week

To say that we were very relieved to receive this email today would be an understatement.  

We hadn't heard from Chase since we spoke to him in Atlanta a week ago on Tuesday and we had no other confirmation that he had arrived in Honduras.  

As I sat at my desk today and hit a point in the day where I had a break in my calendar I logged onto our email just in time to see his email come across.  What a great feeling to know that he was sitting at a computer so far away at the same time sending the attached email.  Truly we continue to feel like our prayers are answered with many daily miracles.  I shed a few tears, offered quick thanks and tried to send back a quick response......but he wouldn't answer for lack of time.  

I am convinced that the Lord is taking him by the hand and buoying him up in his hard times.  As we read the letter he certainly appears to be in great spirits and feels very good about what he is doing.  I know he must have quiet times of missing home but from his email you couldn't see any signs of that emotion.  We are truly blessed and I am amazed.

Thank you all for your prayers and fasting in his behalf.  The results of having sincere prayers answered is below.

Note how his living conditions are.  Sounds like a camping  trip.  We looked up Choluteca on the map and he is southeast of Tegucigalpa in what appears to be a pretty remote area of Honduras.  The city is about 75K population which is a good size but he is outside of the city north and east.  Thankfully he still has email access in the city.

enjoy.....

Mom and family,

Well I made it in Honduras just fine. Elder Andrus and I came in about 12 i think. We met President Chaverri and he is so kind and super funny. His wife is such a good cook our first night there we stayed at the mission home in Tegus and it was a really nice home. Then on Wednesday we got to know our new companions. My companion is Elder Thatcher from Logan, Utahand he is such an awesome trainer. He is tall has glasses and loves the work. After that we went to our assigned areas and we are in Choluteca in southern Honduras. Our area is called Lymón de la Cerca and this place is so poor. But they are very humble people. The area is dusty and super hot. We live in a small cuatro and there is not that much room. I like is though its something way different and everyone in the area is very nice. The streets are rocky and dusty. The houses are tin roofs, concrete walls and dirt floors. Its so sad in this area because there are so many families that do not have that much. There spirits are humble and accepting. There are about 40 members i think in the area and the leaders are so strong in the church. I am not sure if people would like the area because its really dirty and some parts are scary. There are lots of dogs. We actually met a lady that is fromt the Estado Unidos  de California and she is here because her mom is from here and she is watching her moms house for her. Very interesting to talk to someone fromt the states lol. The language is frustrating because I cannot understand what everyone is saying because there grammar is terrible. But I am learning litttle by little. I love the area and the people because they are so nice. The Elders in our Zone are really funny and awesome. There are actually a couple of Elders from San Pedro Sula and they are so funny and crazy. I love them all and looking forward in working with them.

 

Spiritual experience is how much i am teaching the people and talking to them and actually understanding them. Also Elder Thatcher was wondering if I was scared or anything and I am not actually scared because i know I have the Lord on my side and He is going to protect me. You would not believe where I would walk and what people we see haha But I love it just as much.

 

Ummm funny story is today we had a slip and slide at the church and got wet because it was so hot. Then played some soccer. Also got some new beds for the house and you dont realized how small the house is but its small lol. Mom I dont think you would approve where i live at all lol. oh well your in the states anyways :) Thank you for the prayers and the help it has helped so much! Also to anyone who is writing me by hand the letters willl not come till like three weeks or so. So yeah sorry hopefully you will get them. Anyways los vemos. Also the food is pretty good here can you believe there is a Wendy`s here! and Pizza hut.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Final Days in the MTC and Travel Time is Finally Here

Just a few hours after this letter we were able to have a live conversation with Chase.  He sounded great and yet very tired.  The scheduled flight out of SLC was at 1:30 am on Tuesday morning and they had to be at the airport at 9:30 pm Monday.  Needless to say he was going on 24 hours without sleep when we spoke at 6am on Tuesday. 

He reached a point at the MTC where he knows it is time to move on.  You can see that he is ready and seeking to hear the messages from the Spirit each day.  Conference took on an entirely new meaning for him with pesonal revelation being something he realized.  His mom and I feel like he is still doing great after speaking with him real time although he is likely still a little homesick and uncertain about his future in Honduras.  There were many moment of pause as we spoke and I am sure he was holding back some emotion.  We are hopeful that he will at least get to send us a note from the mission home when he arrives but as of this morning still no word.  Regardless we feel like he is doing great and is in no danger while in the Lords hands.  It is an amazing feeling to have each day as we search within our soul for answers of how he is and answers are recieved even though he is so far away.  What a blessing.

Our plan is to fast this Sunday to once again petition the Lord for his intervention to lift Chase through another tough time as he tries to gain some normalcy in his life in Honduras.  Change is constant for him.  To say the least he is in the crucible of faith and growth.  He will be fine.  If anyone would like to join us for the fast we would sincerely appreciate it.

Enjoy this weeks letter.

Mom,

Well the day is here and I am getting packed and ready for the long journey. The MTC seemed to fly by but my teacher said being out in the mission it flies even faster. I just have to lose myself in the work and go forward with faith and obedience and everything will fall into place. I am excited and sad to leave because I am going to miss my district a ton. The good thing is a couple of the Elders in the district and zone want to come to AZ for fun and party it up after the mission. So Mom prepare for that lol. Yes I am excited to call you all and hear from you ha. I wonder who is going to all be there when i call I might have to calll different people. Yes the pictures are funny and I have many to come from the mission too. My teacher Hno. Sturgill showed his pictures of his mission and you could tell he enjoyed his mission a ton. I want to have a mission like that and absolutely enjoy every minute of it. Thank you for the prayers and blessings.

I have had many spiritual experiences and revelations in conference this past week becaause a teacher in our zone challenged us to have ten questions about anything and he promised they will be anwsered. I can testify they all were answered and it was amazing I have like 10 pages of notes so I am excited. Also I bet Kyle is happy about the Fort Collins temple being announced! I have had a lot of prayers and questions for the Lord if I am ready for the mission and serve the people of Honduras and I had a confirmation during conference saying I am ready and prepared for the work. So I am going forward in faith and obedience to serve the people of Honduras. I am excited to go because fo the things Steven has been sending me and preparing me. Also this week I have been understanding a little bit more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it plays a role in my life and showing how it plays in the lifes of others. I am going to have a fantastic mission because my attitude is going to make the difference. Also my branch president here in the MTC committed me to a promise with him and my mission president to be the kind of missionary that he would send me to the outskirts of the mission and not have to worry about me because he will know that I will be obedient in everything I do. I promise myself that because I want to be an absolute fantastic missionary to the Lord. Also I went to the temple today and decided to do all three things in the temple and I did sealings for the first time which was an amazing experience. I got to be a witness for children and being sealed to their parents. I was being a witness next to the sealer and I notice a couple of family names from the Reid side and I didnt know if we were related. They were from Alabama and there names were the Henry Earnest Reid (child being sealed) and John Wesley Reid (husband) and they wife I could not remember the name but it was long. Anyways I dont know.

Well funny story is that I am getting all these packages from Janeene and my second mom Aunt Jen. They were good and also how much food I gave to others because I know I cannot pack it haha. Also just haveing a blast with my district because we are all being seperated but for a good cause!!! Well thats all till I am in Honduras!

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Week 8 MTC

Mission times update:

 

Chase seems very upbeat this week and excited to get to Honduras.  It sounds like he will get to experience the "red eye" out of SLC to Atlanta.  Then he will be on his way to Honduras from there arriving next Tuesday some time.  That will be a very long day full of anticipation.  It is good to see that he will be traveling with a companion so that they can share their international travel experience.  He will surely be exhausted by the time he arrives in the country.  Mom and Dad will be very anxious to hear from him via phone because it seems as though he has been gone much longer than two months.  The upside is that once he arrives in Honduras he will shortly be calling for Mothers day.  Mom already told us that it is her phone call and her's alone.  We'll see about that.....

 

I am a bit surprised to hear him aplogize for how he treated his Dad.....as I reflect on Chase's life it seems to me he has always been a good and faithful son.  Surely he is having a lot of time for introspection and self evaluation.   Patience, long suffering can be hard teachers.   If he can harness all of this insight he will surely be a very strong and faithful missionary and servant.  "unless you become as a little child"  comes to mind.

 

Enjoy:

 

Mom,

Well I have one more day to write until I leave for the field I got my flight plans this past week. My flight leaves at 1:05am from SLC, but I leave the MTC on MOnday night at 8:30pm. I am flying to Atlanta, GA and will arrive there I think at like 6:33am. Not sure if they included the time zones or not but my layover is there and I will call around that time in the morning I think. Then my flight will leave from Atlanta at 10:00am again not sure what the time zones will be. Then I head to Honduras!!!! I am so excited!!!! It is just Elder Andrus and I going to Honduras so it will be interesting. But I am ready to go but my spanish is still iffy oh well I know the Lord will provide! Also I sent you the SD card in the mail last week!!?? I hope you  got it!!! Please let me know if you got it or not. Also sound like not to big of a change in the ward. I am sure it will be different when I come back. Also I am happy and sad to hear Navy walking everywhere:( but its okay she probably doesnt remember me at all. Thank you for the letters and food ha Way to much of it but its okay.

 

Now this week was a lot better!! We as a companionship have been doing well and getting along. Even though its toward the end of the MTC experience I feel like I have grown sooo much. The Lord is truly guiding me everyday to be a better tool in His hands. I have been tryingn to read up on the Atonement and what Christ has done for us. It is hard to understand the Atonement but I find something new everyday to apply to my investigators and my life. We had a mission conference this past Sunday and it was really good because President Brown talked about the last hours of the Saviors life and it shows how much he really loved us. Then it had me thinking about how the Savior did Heavenly Fathers will without question. Then I thought do I do that to my own personal dad. I thought of what my dad has asked me to do in the past and how sometimes I was being a stupid teenager and questioning everything he asked me to do. I feel bad and regret for doing that and it shows how much I have disrespected my dad in my life and I apologize and repent for it. Then I though in a sense how many times I have not done what the Father has commanded me to do in this life and how much I have disobeyed. I need to have more respect for my Father in Heaven and My father now because I love them both so much and they tell me and ask me to do things because they love me. ANd I want to show my love for them by doing what they ask.Yes it is hard sometimes, but I will be blessed for it. My testimony for the Savior and The Father has grown so much and how big of a role they play in my life. I know that through the Savior Jesus Christ I can do all things as long as I have faith and obey His command. My time here is running short and I have absolutely love the MTC. Then I remember the scripture that you gave me Mom, Moroni 8:16 with a perfect love we can be fearless and have nothing to fear. I know the Lord can support me and never ever will leave me in my life and in Honduras I just have to faith and go forward in Faith.

 

Well enough preaching and stuff ha well we got a new district in our Zone this week and they are really cool. Another District came decided to pull a prank on them by have one of the missionaries have no arms explain later in pictures, another that could not speak english, and another be mad all the time and yell at everyone. It was really funny and they believed them for a while but realized that we were just having fun. Well  I think that is about it I am not sure what my address will be for my mission field but I will find out and I am able to write one more time. Also General Conference is this week way exciting!!

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Week 7 MTC

Chases latest letter attached:

He is doing well and learning that missions are full of great days and very learning, refining and long suffering days.  I am impressed that he can write in Spanish.... to some extent.  That puts him ahead of me already as I can make out what he says but would be unable to write.  His testimony is growing from what he expresses here.

We are anxiously waiting for his departure in a few weeks.   It will be the start of another adjustment for him and all prayers will be welcome.

Enjoy.

Hola Madre,

Buenos Tardes!! Como le van? Esta semana fue muy importante! Por que mis distritos fue enfermo. No bien. Yo se que El Senor es verderdera y se que Padre Celestial es mi Padre y nosostros somos Sus Hijos. Yo se que Jesucristo es mi Salvador y Redentor.

Haha hopefully you can get all that! well that is good Chelsey did well in her teams tournament. Denver sounds like it was a blast. Very interesting what is happening back in Arizona ha I predicted Stratland Estates to be a ward of their own but not moved into another oh well. I am sure it will be different when I come back. Also how is the Gilbert Temples progress going? I am excited to come back and see it.

Well I am doing pretty good little bit of a struggle this week. So that Elder that was in quarantine came out of it after a couple of days and is doing lots better. Then Elder Brixey one of my companions got sick and he has been out for like four days or so. Also I got to go off campus for a couple of hours because he need to go see the Doctor for pink eye so that was interesting lol. Entonces no good. Our district has been switching off companions since and it has affected our progress this week. I have been struggling because of this. I found myself lost and trying so hard to support my district with their needs and trying to help out my companionship. I have been praying everyday for help and guidance and some how we got through the week. I know for a fact that the Lord helped me or otherwise I would have not made it. The spanish has been super hard because we are teaching the 2nd lesson in spanish and its so hard. Our teacher has been a little hard on us, but I know I need to get through it and I just need to remain faithful and positive. I have realized how much the Lord helps and provides in His work and he only helps those who are willing to work and endure to the end. I am trying so hard to prepare myself for the field and I only have two weeks left!!! It is crazy to think how fast time flies. I should be getting my flight plans thhis week so that is something to look forward too. I am hoping this week will be better and more productive. Well I know and have learned to stay faithful and endure like Joseph Smith did in Liberty Jail D&C 121,122,123. Also 2 Nephi 4 I encourage you all to read and study. Well I am remaining positive and still faithful to the work and I am trusting in the Lord with all my Heart, Mind, and Strength. Well I appreciate all the prayers and love you have given me. thank  you so much.

Les quiero mucho,

Week 6 MTC

Week 6 has come and gone.  Chase continues to do well and he is busy as evidenced by the details he provides.  Interesting note regarding his current campanion's Brother who is serving in Japan.  The good news is that Elder Andrus' brother is safe and accounted for but I am sure as young missionaries in the MTC this creates reflection on what they may face when the arrive in Honduras.  Chases Mom was pretty upset when she heard about the lack of information that was available in Japan about some of the missionaries there.  It would be very hard to have to wait for several days to hear news about a son or daughter who was involed in such a large scale natural disaster while serving in a foreign land.  What we do know is that the Lord watches over them, goes before them, prepares a way for them and will carry them if needed.  (D & C 84:71-88)  God bless the missionaries.

Here is this weeks letter.

Hey Mom,

Yeah it was a suprise to see her at the MTC. I couldnt remember her name at all but I stopped her anyways and explained who I was lol. Luckily she remembered. Okay I will use the ATM Card ha my bad and I pretty sure I have 200 bucks in cash still, no worries. That is awesome that Emily and Kyle are in the same ward as Ashley's parents! That makes me laugh and I love her parents. Sound like everyone is doing well and settling in. Oh Chelsey is just as busy as ever nothing new there lol Tell her good luck! Yeah I heard about the Earthquake and Tsunami from my companion Elder Andrus. His brother is in the Japan mission right now where they got hit. His brother is fine and safe, but its crazy how it happens. Really good opportunity for missionaries to help them out.

Well this week was interesting because Trio companionship is struggling on teaching. We have started to teach in Spanish and its going okay, but its a lot better than I thought I would do. In our TRC task we taught in spanish and that was rough and hard. But we managed to do it. I am pretty sure they understood us and which is an accomplishment. Also when I teach other missionaries and stuff they said I do pretty good. Grandpa and Grandma Reid sent me a letter in the mail in Spanish mostly and I could understand it pretty well! I have been struggling though because I am so consumed with being district leader and trying to have companionship unity when we teach. The Lord is truly testing me and I am relying on him for help and guidance. Alsoo I feel like I have not gotten much done with the work and being prepared for the mission field! I only have three weeks left!!! It is so crazy! We have a District leaving for Chile this week and were getting a new one so our Zone is starting to get more new comers and our district and another are the senior ones. It is ssoooooo crazy to think about! Also I am over my sickness and we had another get sick, Elder Braegger, and he went to the doctor to get a check up because he has been in his bed for a couple of days. The clinic found out that he might have influenza so he is in quarintine for the next couple of days!! Then they had our whole district come in and they gave us anit virus pills so we dont get the sickness and spread it around.Crazy!!! But funny at the same time. That is pretty much to what has happened this week.

Spiritual thought is I had the opportunity to annoint oil on Elder Braeggers head and then we did a blessing it was so cool. The feeling of being able to help someone when theree sick is absolutely amazing in every way. The priesthood authority which we hold is so amazing. I have also been looking at Jesus the Christ stuff and the book is amazing and shows how mucht the Savior has blessed our lives.

Funny story, I think its funny how our whole district has to take a pill for not spreading the influenza. We are taking pictures of our pill that we have to take for ten days! Anyways thank you Grandpa and Grandma Hall for the treats. Thank you mom for the love and prayers. Also my companions like to eat Chips preferrably Lays BBQ and the other likes Sour Patches. I have a ton of treats ha but some Twizzlers wouldnt hurt!!

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Week 5 MTC

Another week gone by.

We can sense that Chase is doing well on a daily basis and has become accustomed to the MTC schedule.   We continue to feel that he is struggling with fluency in the language and we continue to petition daily for the Lord to bless him in this area.  As you read below change is constant.  New language, new responsibility as a District leader and another new companion.  Sounds like life as we all know it.  We have no concern regarding his leadership ability.  As a Priest Chase did a great job as the Bishop's First Assistant.  I am sure as he applies the same principles he learned then he will do fine.

enjoy,

Mom,

Thank you for the prayers they help  a lot. I have been struggling the past couple of days because our companioship turned into a trio. Talk about complicated! I have been trying to teach with this but it is super hard and challenging. Also we have to teach in Spanish this week in the TRC, which is a opportunity to teach to live investigators. I am so stressed, but I know i will do fine with lots of faith and lots of prayer and lots of work. I hope  my insights helped because they have helped me a ton. Anyways the past couple of days have been challenging with tuning in with the spirit while we teach in a trio. It is way harder to feel the promptings of the spirit in between us. I have been trying so hard to teach to peoples needs and teach in spanish. It is so difficult. But I can get through it and I know the Lord is testing me all the way to helpe me become a better tool in the hands of the Lord. Also the MTC food is fine my weight keeps going everywhere but I am maintaing it. The only problem is your sending me all these treats that are tempting me to eat them. They are good especially the brownies! Ummm thats way exciting for the new house!!! Also for Navy to be walking all the time. Cannot wait till I get to see her! Thank you for the addresses and what is the full address of Ashley Lindbloms address. I am also sick and thank you Elder Andrus! Its all good I am maintaing it and I am stilll working hard. I also forgot that I have been made a District Leader of my District. Little interesting haha. Anyways im glad I can lead my district and help them in any way I can. Spanish is coming little by little. Still struggling here and there, but I think the main thing I struggle with is making myself speak and talk in Spanish. Also Steven has been writing me and giving me some tips before I come he is so awesome.

 

The biggest thing about missionary work is were here to teach people not lessons. Our teacher evaluated us on our teaching and said we need to teach to peoples needs. It is really hard, but I know its possible. It will take a lot of practice and diligence. I love to teach, but it is challenging because we are a trio now. So it is hard to take turns talking. Oh yeah the other companion we have is Elder Brixey and he is from Dallas, Texas. He is a very good man and is a little older than us. He has such a good spirit. So a spiritual thought I have is in our Testimony meeting on Fast Sunday. The spirit was so strong because the missionaries that learn and grow here, build a stronger testimony. While I was sitting and listening to other bear their testimony, my mind went to D&C 135 when Joseph and Hyrum Smith were about to get murdered. Before they were killed they were reading in the book of Ether 12:37. It made me realized what kind of testimony they have and they were willing to die than to deny the gospel of Jesus Christ. Absolutely amazing!! I need to be like them and fear nothing in this life and never deny what I know to be true.

 

I cannot think of anything really to say that was funny this week. oh well

 

Con Amor,

Elder Hall