Week 6

This weeks update.

He is certainly busy in the work and we are especially grateful that the is feeling better this week.  His health has been a concern and he shares that he is losing some weight.  Some day he will be glad for that.

Hey Madre,
I am doing way better this week, I was not feeling well at all the first couple of days, but I am doing way better. Please do not worry haha. 


Its good that Chelsey graduated. Tell her congrats! Anyways tell chelsey to keep up in her studies because college will burn you if you do not do homework and study. I am lucky that I didnt run into that problem yet. This weeks progress is good we baptized and married a family and they are super happy and awesome. Then we are baptizing another family this week on Saturday. We are also marrying them on Thursday and they are such an amazing family. We are hoping for them to be sealed in the temple for eternity when it is done. Elder Thatcher is way good and is counting down the days till he goes home. The missionaries say that I get to kill Elder Thatcher because he is leaving. He is such an awesome companion and I am pretty sure I am staying in the south for a couple more changes. Also thats awesome you got to go to a lesson with the missionaries that seriously helps investigators feel more welcome and they know someone that goes to the church. Also that is awesome that Cody is going to the Dominican Republic!!! I would assume spanish speaking??? I hoping to send myIpod today, I couldnt last week because I didnt have a box to send it in, but I will try today. 

Well this past week and this week have been really busy because of the baptisms we have been planning for. Gees we have been so busy and running around everywhere. The work is going forward though and we are pushing forward. OH yeah we got this new missionary from Cambios that is from Highland, UT and he knows the Christensen´s and my cousin Scott Taylor. He said they were best friends in high school and yeah. He knows a couple of people that I know in Utah. HIs name is Elder Zenger, and has red hair. He is super awesome and funny. Anyways the work is still going and yeah. Thank you for the support and your love. The pictures I am not sure entirely yet, but I will figure it out. Well thats all for this week. 

Honduras Week 5 "Mothers Day"

Posting his latest letter.  This week was great for our family because Chase was able to call home for Mothers Day.  Not sure why Fathers Day doesn't get the same blessing??:)

He sounded great, he is safe, happy and had some great stories to tell about what he is doing.  He is excited that they expect a family to enter the waters of baptism at the end of the month.  It is easy to tell that he is growing in leaps and bounds as he is blessed for his hard work  The only bad part of the call was having to say goodbye again.....but we feel extremely fortunate that he is doing so well.  Once again some tears were shed but given his letter the next day below he is doing great.

Mom,
Hey it was awesome to talk to you all yesterday!! I forget how much I forget the sounds of your voices. And with Steven I have no clue but we're only aloud one hour with our family.  Well thats good that Chad has no cancer! But sad about Jens mom. I hope she will be okay. I sent a letter to Landon a few week ago hopefully he received it. Thank you for the package. Ahhh it was so good to talk to you all. 

Well this week the Lord blessed us sooo much. We started the week off with that Liure experience that I told you guys about on the phone. Then we contacted and taught a lot of people this week. We reached 32 lessons I think. We have three families that are being prepared for baptism. They all just need to come to church and they will be ready by the end of the month. We had one family show up to church this week which was such a blessing. The Lord really blessed us this week because of how busy we were with teaching. Our Rama or Branch, did an activity to obtain references and we planned to show the Joseph Smith movie and have popcorn and soda. We had all the members give out invitations to bring there friends. We had this on Friday and so we start preparing for the activity and its about time for everyone to show and there are not many people. But our microwave goes out. Then the projector that we were going to show the Joseph Smith movie for was not there yet. We did not get it until like 730 and the activity started at 6. After a while a lot of people show up and there was about 170 people there. And nothing is working out at all. So we are trying to get the movie going but it wont work or show up. We had so many investigators show up! We came to the point of ending it because we didnt have a movie and not enought popcorn or soda. It was a complete disaster. I could not believe how many people showed up it was crazy. We felt so bad and defeated but we still pushed on and met with our investigators that were there. We apologized and they actually took it pretty well. They were not mad but humble. I am pretty sure the Lord was helping and teaching us a lesson. Which we did. But we still pushed on the rest of the week. I am hoping to keep going forward in the work. The Lord is truly blessing and guiding us. I love the mission. I am learning soo much here. 

What else happened.... oh yeah we went had a multi zone activity today and played basketball, soccer, ate food, and watched a movie. Today was soo much fun and we are all tired because of how much basketball we played lol. The stake center  here is huge!! Anyways I think that is all. Hope all goes well this week.

Con Amor,
Elder Hall

Honduras Week 4

I am a little behind getting his recent letter posted.  It is continually amazing to see and feel his growth each week.  He is amazingly positive and balanced in the Gospel perspective.  we are excited that he will soon experience the joy of being an instrument in the Lords hands to bring someone to the gate of baptism.

enjoy

Dear Mom,

Well I am doing really well and enjoying the mission. There are some hard days but we work through them together. Our week was good we still teach a lot but our only set back is getting people to church on Sunday so they can be baptized. We have three baptisms coming up and two marriages coming up also next week on the 12th. We are excited for that. We have some really strong investigators that we are excited to bring unto Christ. They are so positive and really want to come unto Christ. We had some rain this week and its the beginning of the rainy season here so we are excited for the weather change. We also had a zone conference with President Chaverri and he is such an amazing mission president I love him so much. Even though he is leaving in two months I am going to miss him. Oh yeah I forgot to tell you guys that contacts are prohibited here because there has been some missionaries that were sent home because of eye trouble. The air here is pretty filthy and dusty. So yeah I have been wearing my glasses for the time being. Yeah sound like the same old prom years ha. and I figured Ashley would be engaged. No surprise there.What I eat is basically beans, tortillas, pasta, cookies, granola, eggs, and some really good cheese called quesillo. That is pretty much what we eat every day. Our clothes are washed by a lady from the branch, but she takes forever to wash them and so we are thinking of asking someone else to do them. Our quarters are really small with a bunnk bed, a table for studies, a small kitchen, a small bathroom. Not much but I like it and we also have AC which is a plus! I have take pictures of it so I can show you guys everything later lol.

We get to call on May 10th not sure when exactly but I know what day we get too. Yeah bring questions and I will answer them. well we had an awesome spiritual lesson this past week with this family. The parents are Javier and Maria Josefina, we were teaching them the second lesson and we got the Atonement. Elder Thatcher and I could tell they felt the spirit because they had a look in their eyes and Maria was crying. Then we challenged them to baptism and they both said yes and the spirit was soooo strong in the lesson. I cant believe how amazing the feeling was that we were helping the children of God come back unto Christ. This work is so amazing. 

My companion is amazing and so spiritual. He is one of the best missionaries that I have ever met. He has two months left in the mission and says he doesnt want to leave, but his time is coming to the end and he needs to progress farther. I love my companion and want to be like him. He is such a great trainer and leader. I could not ask for a better companion. Anyways I have been hearing some weird rumors that Osama bin Laden was killed? I have no clue lol. Also I will send my Ipod back and see if you rreceive it hopefully. Excited to call you guys and tell you how the area is.

Con Amor,

Elder Hall

Honduras Week 3

Not much to add to his letter this week.  He is doing great.

Hola Familia,

¿Cómo está? ¿Qué tal? Well this week was very quiet and calm because of Semana Santa. We did a lot of contacting and teaching. We taught about 36 people this week. We enjoyed some rain on thursday that just was insanely crazy rain. My toes are getting better just trying to keep them clean and everything. My ipod doesnt work something is wrong with it not sure what though. Should I send it back or what? I am doing pretty good health is good, except on Thursday I was sick with really bad stomach cramps and stuff like that, but I am getting better though. Thats crazy how Josey is already in young womens ha I am sure she will look different by the time I come back. I am glad that Em and Ky have settled down finally. I think we can watch church videos but i am not sure. Elder Thatcher said they use to watch Disney movies but it eventually got out of hand oh well. Thats way awesome for T I am sure he will enjoy his mission a ton. 

This week the work was good this week we did well in teaching but getting people to church was hard. We are teaching a few investigators that are getting baptized in Mayo. We are teaching this one family that has a dad that is not a member but the rest of the family is. He is slowly progressing and he seems interested. We have another family that has been prepared for a while and was going to get baptized but then the wife backed out. We have been trying to figure it out why but she wont tell us. We are planning on marrying them so they keep the la ley de Castidad haha. Also we started teaching this abogado whos name is Pedro Pable Dominguez and he is such a nice man. He is so kind and is friends with a couple of members. We are pretty excited to teach him. Well I think that is all just we are working hard to baptize everyone. My spanish is coming little by little and Elder Thatcher says I am improving. I need to stop worrying about what I am saying andtrust in the Lord more to fill my mouth with words to say. I have been trying that a little this week and I really try to listen to the spirit to help me and guide me on what say and its worked pretty well.

Being here is awesome but sad how these people live. The only way these people live is if they are with a husband and wife, but they are not even married though. The father goes out and works and the wife has to raise children and try to make money too. Just seeing how these people live and how its so hard to survive. I want to do more and help them change there lives so they can have at least something. Most of these people are not even married because it takes 800 Lempiras to be married. No one can afford it. Then I see the children that grow up in this manner and it breaks my heart because they have a chance to do something for themselves. I can help come unto Christ and receive blessings but I want to give them food, clothing, and shelter too. I am out here for a reason and I am hoping to help these people as much as I can. Anyways hope all is well in Estados Unidos. I am glad to here that Cody and Dillon are doing good.

Well something funny that happened was we were contacting people and we met some 19 year old kid from Georgia visiting here and helping out this girl that he kind of messed up with. He was really interesting character to talk to because the way he was acting and he couldnt sit stll and he talked really funny. Maybe its a Georgia thing but I am not sure lol. But we talked to him for a bit and he said religion is not his thing. Its amazing what kind of people we meet out here lol. Well thank you for the prayers and support it helps me everyday. God Speed. Cheque.

Con Amor,

Elder Hall  

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