Week #104 Letter & Pictures

It's quite scary how fast weeks fly by, even when it goes like a slug
each day. Two or three days this week drew on forever but the week
went by in a day. Like my dad says, "The days go by like weeks and the
weeks go by like days." So true.

But this week was a good one which is probably why it went by so fast.
Here it is:

7-31-17
"These are not the droids you're looking for." Preparation day! And it
was an average day really with laundry in the morning and then we got
chinese food for lunch and took it to the church. I worked on more BYU
classes and planning it all out. Also looked for jobs on campus to get
an idea of what they have. Then played sports all afternoon, mostly
soccer today and ate my left over chinese food for dinner and got
ready for Bible Study. It was good tonight as we went over the
parables Christ gave. Then headed home afterwards.
8-1-17
"Luke, I am your father!" You got to be kidding me. It's August
already? Apparently. But today we had a district Leader video
conference with the zone leaders and the other district leaders in the
zone talking about the last 2 weeks and how we have been doing. Then
had lunch and district meeting, which the zone leaders drove all the
way out here for to attend. Then we picked up my new glasses and did
our car reports that were due earlier today. Oops. And then we went to
see Kris and his friends. Spent a bit there and then went to a
member's home to share a message with her. She is returning from less
activity and has been pretty active ever since I got here and then
went finding the rest of the night.
8-2-17
"Father...please....help me!" Today went slower but it was good. We
first stared off by getting notified of a lesson this morning for us
to go to so we do our normal morning and then was going to leave but
then we found out it was an hour before. So we missed it but called
the guy and rescheduled to Friday morning. Then ate lunch and went to
the church to teach Kevin and today is when we got his big concern
that he has. We felt like there was something more that he wasn't
telling us yet and today he shared it with us so now we know what to
work with him on. But he is leaving son for a few week vacation in
Guatemala. So we will be teaching via messenger for the next few
weeks. Then we made a lot of calls again as it was needed and went to
look up a few more people but no answers. Had dinner and went finding
for a few minutes before going over to Kris' as his fiancé made
cheesecake for us. It was super good. And then headed home.
8-3-17
"My name's Anakin. Anakin Skywalker." If yesterday went slow, today
was a slug. Like everyone was slow and not just us. We first started
with weekly planning after studies and lunch in there too. Then we
were going to go see Kris and we're on our way but he said maybe not
but he would let us know in 45 min for sure so we went by Famous
Footwear so I could pick up a new pair of shoes and then he called and
said not today but tomorrow. Then we saw Corrin and she is doing good
but was super tired from the day. Then we went to the church to do
daily contact and then had dinner at the Snows. Finally, we went to
Alive after Five, the same thing from 2 weeks ago where the entire
town comes to this festival or street vendors really. We actually got
to stay for a bit tonight and talk to people. But the English people
are mean. And drunk. And high. Not a good combination but they aren't
all that way, only most of them. So that was an experience and the
entire place smells of beer and cigar smoke. That went all night and
talked to a few people that would listen but nothing much for us. Then
headed home around 8:30 as that is when the drunks get crazy.
8-4-17
"Anakin, stay out of trouble!" It was a good day today. We went about
our morning and had that lesson with Glen this morning. He is pretty
cool guy wanting to learn more and was excited for what we had to say
and looked forward to reading the Book of Mormon. Won't be able to
attend church as he has now car and lives far from the church. Then
got Taco Bell for lunch and exchanged with the Spanish elders where I
went with Elder Rogers to their pool. We went to a lesson and it was
in Spanish so I was of no help but he said it went good. Then had
companionship study and calls. Went to another lesson but this one
cancelled so we knocked around the neighborhood and taught a Spanish
guy down the street. Had dinner and went to go drop off a Turkish Book
of Mormon to someone and took a while to find the address but we got
there. Went and taught their recent convert who got baptized after 23
years of taking the missionary lessons. But it was in Spanish so
didn't understand most of that one. And ended the night with a
FaceTime to a less active member.
8-5-17
"You were the chosen one! You were meant to destroy the sith, not join
them!" Good day of exchanges. We had our usual morning and went to the
church to exchange back but they got there too late so we actually
went to Plainview to pick up medicine from the mission nurse and then
ate lunch as we were starving. Ate at Moe's and drove back and
exchanged. But we did help them set up for a movie night they were
having tonight for their investigators to watch the restoration in
Spanish. So wouldn't help our investigators. Then we went to do a look
up and they weren't home. So much fun, I love it when they don't
answer. Ate dinner and went to a lesson but when we walked up to the
door, Dan met us there and said he wasn't feeling too well so he
rescheduled to next week on Friday. So we do some knocking around
there and a few more look ups we planned on seeing tonight and headed
home. We did drop more people as they just don't answer the door or
their phone.
8-6-17
"I will finish what you started." Fast Sunday today. We had our
morning of studies and made calls in the morning until church. Then at
church, Kevin came! And we also taught primary sharing time. Wasn't
too bad but they definitely talk more than investigators. After church
we took the sacrament to shut ins and had dinner. And all day today
and it started last night after we got home, I wasn't feeling too good
and during dinner tonight, I passed out for 3 hours until tonight when
I changed from proselyting clothes to then go to bed the rest of the
night. So we didn't have our night sadly but hopefully I feel better
tomorrow.

Kevin is doing great! He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to
come to church on Sunday throughout last week but then he decided to
come Friday night and he came to church! He also progressed a lot this
week as we were able to help him overcome his concern/question he had
and set up a system to chat while he is in Guatemala. Haven't been
able to get him on date as he keeps telling us about trips he has all
this month. A day after he gets back from Guatemala, he is gong to
Utah for a few days to visit the church sites and around there. So
hopefully we can get him on date while he is in Guatemala for sometime
in September. Maybe my last baptism if I stay in South Shore and
finish here. Right now we don't have anyone else close to a date but
hopefully we will find a few more so Kevin isn't my last one.

Enjoy your week everyone and see you next week, ✌🏻

EJH
🔥🔛

Week #103 Letter & Pictures

What's up everyone, I'm back again with another weekly. Bringing you my 96th weekly or something like that. 

But for this week it was a great as we had exchanges with Zone Leaders, we had people come to church, and one of those Investigators is a miracle from Heaven. His name is Kevin. 

7-24-17

"When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay. Oh, I wanna be there in my city. Oh-oh-oh." Preparation day! And I got to stop playing so hard or something cause I keep getting little rug burns or bruises that hurt. But it's so fun on preparation days. Today we did our laundry and went to the church and I worked on BYU stuff for the first 2 hours and emailed during that time. Then the other missionaries got there and played soccer and basketball all day. Went to Wendy's in there somewhere and then changed and went to Bible study. It didn't have as many people there as we had last week so the missionaries participated more this week. It was good though and then right as soon as it ended we FaceTimed Marie and talked to her about getting a temple recommend this Sunday or at least talk to bishop to know what she needs to do to get a temple recommend. So hopefully we can get her to the temple as she never went when she got baptized. 

7-25-17

"Some legends are told. Sometimes to dust or to gold but you will remember me. Remember me for centuries!" Pretty normal missionary day. We had studies in the morning and then had a quick follow up meeting with the Zone Leaders from last week and ate lunch. Then had district meeting which was good and had companionship Study and calls right after until dinner. I fell asleep through dinner and then we went and continued cleaning up areabook by looking people up. No one was answering but our last uncontacted referral answered but turns out she already got her bible and Book of Mormon she ordered. So no more uncontacted referrals and we asked if we could come back to share more and she agreed, she just didn't know when as she is having surgeries soon. So then we picked up some things we left at the church and headed home. 

7-26-17

"Who puts pineapple on a pizza? It's something you don't do." Today went by fast because we really only did a few things that took forever. So we did our usual morning of studies and lunch then we went to Target to schedule an eye doctor appointment for me to get new glasses. So we get there and they said I could do it in an hour so I thought that would be fine, we have nothing else going on this afternoon so we walk around the store for that hour and had the appointment. I picked out a pair I liked and they said I could get another pair for half off the price as a backup or get a pair of sunglasses. So I picked out some sunglasses that would cost only $70. I thought that's all I would pay but then they brought up a bunch of other additional costs that totaled up to $350 which I did not have that much so I had to take off the sunglasses and maybe when I pick up the regular pair I can get sunglasses then. But that took 45 to take off the sunglasses from the checkout as they needed an authorization code from the insurance to take it off. Long story short it took a while but we got it and went to see Kris as he needed some help. Ended up spending some time there helping him and then had to go straight to our next appointment with a member. Then went home as it was almost 9. Few things but each took a long time. 

7-27-17 

"Let's be honest, this is not the worst thing you have caught me doing." Today was a great day. We had our usual stuff, yeah. And then we had a lesson at 1 with an investigator that called us last Friday named Kevin that asked to meet today. He knew a ton and had questions which was awesome. He even brought up baptism without us asking and he was talking about what changes he will need to make to get there. He knows a ton! So we are excited to continue with him and he said he will be at church Sunday. Then elder Cahan had to pack for exchanges and we met the Zone Leaders at our chapel. I'm on exchanges with Elder Ramos-Ortega, or just Ramos. We went and did a look up real quick before dinner but wasn't home and then had dinner at a member's home, the snows. Then we had a great night of look ups for 2 people, both of which were home, both of which we got to teach. They were great lessons, the first though was more of a QnA session and he wasn't too interested in much else besides his questions. The second though found the Book of Mormon he had received 20 years ago today. And then we knocked on his door when he just walked in, perfect timing. So many things fell into place it is hard to argue coincidence, but to argue fate. We shared the restoration and he accepted it really well and said he wants to get into it more. We got his Facebook info to keep in contact and teach as he has a very tough work and school schedule. That ended our night but it was a great day! 

7-28-17

"You've broken into my vault. Congratulations, you're a dead man." Exchanges were fun today. We had the morning and studied and planned. Went to Taco Bell for lunch and the Spanish elders needed a ride to the church as their car is in the shop so we took them and did some look ups to continue cleaning the areabook. Then we went to a lesson but their pastor was there already talking to the person we were there to see so we weren't able to teach her. Then drove all the way to the Hamptons to exchange back. Drove back to the chapel in our area and dropped off the supplies we got from the Zone Leaders. Messaged some investigators and then did more look ups with no success. Went back to visit that lady we were going to have a lesson with earlier but she wasn't home. Then headed home. 

7-29-17

"Rage, rage, the night away. Forget about the money that we spent today!" Today was a logger day but went by quick. We started at 8 in the morning with correlation and went for almost 2 hours because we haven't had it in a while so then we did our studies and planning after that and had lunch. Went to a lesson but he wasn't home and rescheduled to later tonight. Then we went to the church and messaged some investigators and went to look up a former investigator that we talked about in correlation. Wasn't home and visited a less active nearby but they weren't home either. Then visited a part member couple that is elderly, almost. They're pretty old but still going strong. Ate dinner by getting Dominos and eating it at the church. Our lesson got cancelled and then the next one that got rescheduled to tonight also got cancelled as he took his mom out to dinner. So we did look ups at night. 

7-30-17

"I don't who you. But I'm feeling 22. Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you!" Well, it's another month anniversary of 22 this time. I forgot actually till I got reminded in an email I got today. But today was really good. We went to help a less active and their family get ready for church and then had Kevin come to church! Lots of people to church today and then after church we had dinner. Messaged investigators for a bit and then went to visit a less active but wasn't home so we went finding for a bit until the end of the night. 

Kevin literally called us Friday night of last week, we met Thursday, already read first 8 chapters of the Book of Mormon, already brought up baptism and what he needs to change to get baptized (and he got it right), came to church Sunday and loved it, and is pray about the Book of Mormon already. Blessings from Heaven. Reminds me of Adrian(for those of you that don't remember or weren't there for, he got baptized in my first area and he walked into the church one day and accepted a baptismal invitation that day we met him.) and how ready he was to accept the gospel. So Kevin is amazing, and we are still trying to think of a date for him but considering before the end of the transfer, mid August, or end of August at some point. Then the less actives are slowly progressing and Corrin and her family came to church for the first time in a year! Next we got to get Kris as he was going to come yesterday but his girlfriend was sick. He would be the first time to church in like 5 years. And Kris has committed to come the last 2 weeks but something physically has come up to stop him. So close. 

Enjoy your week everyone, ✌🏻

EJH

🔥🔛

Week #102 Letter & Pictures

Hello everyone! So the emails are going to be better than they have been for the past 5 weeks because I got my iPad back! So we won't have any more problems with pictures not coming through or anything like that, hopefully. Still keep our fingers crossed. 

But this week was great and thanks to everyone that sent me birthday wishes! It was very much appreciated and made it special for me even though I didn't do anything to spectacular. This week we had more lessons with some investigators and it was awesome. We are starting to find the prepared people vs the people not wanting to listen in our areabook. Slowly cleaning it out because we found out this past week that our mission is trying out no call in Sunday night's and focusing wholly on areabook numbers generated electronically. So everyone had to be on top of their areabook and keep them up to date everyday. It sounds cool and hope it works out. 

Anyways, this is how the week went:

7-17-17

"We should have brought chips and dip!" Preparation day! And it was a sport filled one. We did our laundry and our apartment complex has machines that we use. More expensive than Staten Island but convenient as we can sit at home while it goes. Then we went to the church and was by ourselves for an hour and I shot the basketball around while Elder Cahan emailed. Then the rest of the district showed up and we played soccer indoors, basketball, apples to apples, and variation of each throughout the day. Then after preparation day, we changed and went to Bible study! The missionaries here have a Bible study every Monday night for an hour to an hour and a half on the new testament. It is live streamed on Facebook for investigators and members to watch and it was pretty cool. Kris, a less active we work with and did service for last week, came and was participating in it a lot. That's what ended our night. 

7-18-17

"Dont bother me I'm on my popcorn break." Meeting day today as we had 2. We had the district leaders meeting that went from 11:30 to just before 2 and then district meeting from 2:30 to 4. Both were good and effective so it helped but it is a lot of sitting down in the same room all afternoon. Then we talked about the district meeting on what went well and didn't go well. Then had dinner and visited Kris. We then met Bishop at the church so Kris could meet him and get to know more of the members. They ended of going off on Batman and comics as both worked at a comic store at one point. That was nice to see them get along and Kris showed real interest in coming to church and he just brought up some of the concerns he has. Bishop handled it nicely and so hopelly Kris will be coming to church! That took up our entire night as they talked for 2 hours. 

7-19-17

"Jarvis, sometimes you got to run before you can walk." Pretty good day today. We had the usual morning and went to the church to help get stuff ready for our alive after 5 tomorrow night as we won't be able to set it up tomorrow due to mega zone conference. Then we got a car wash for mega zone and did daily contact at the  church, also trying to schedule a time to get new prescription for new glasses. But Costco didn't answer and didn't return my voicemail today. So then we went to see Marie and she fed us dinner. She is a recent covert that was baptized a year ago. So almost not a recent convert anymore. Then we went finding but no success tonight. 

7-20-17

"Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful—that's what matters to me." We had mega Zone Conference today and it was pretty good. Nothing too exciting as far as teaching but we had great workshops on planning, finding, and had the area medical doctor come to talk about ticks and how to prevent. Interesting day and the best part was the end as we got our iPads back and we are keeping the phones. We are rocking 2 smart devices! But for me since I don't have the SIM card in my phone, I basically have 2 tablets. One is just phone sized. But after mega Zone we went straight to a member's home for dinner and shared a message with them. Then we tried going to the alive after 5 festival in Patchogue but we couldn't find parking for 30 min and by that time, it was too late to be worth it. Ended up at the church to set up our iPads again to have the things we need and headed home. 

7-21-17

"I'm bad, and that's good. I'll never be good, and that's not bad." Today we had a slower afternoon but had a great night. We went to the church after the morning routine and did some weekly planning but also I called every person in the areabook that is an other, new or potential investigator. Accomplished a lot though as I sent off referrals, set up appointments, dropped people no longer interested. So cleaned out areabook a little. Then we saw Kris and his new grill he got for free. Helped him clean it out a little as it was so dirty. Then we looked up the investigators that didn't answer their phone earlier today or didn't have a number but didn't find anyone. Ended the night at Corrin's home talking about church with her. Then headed home. 

7-22-17

"I reject your reality and substitute my own." Today was probably the most successful day of missionary work I've had since being here. That's always a good thing:) we first went to Costco to set up my appointment with the eye doctor for a new prescription for glasses because I've tried calling Costco the past couple days and they never returned my calls. Then ate lunch there and went to the church so Elder Cahan could do a few things. Then taught a lesson to a referral we got this week and it was great. He read from the Book of Mormon, keeping his commitment from the previous missionaries and so he is progressing! Then we tried to drop off a bible at another referral but they didn't live at the address we were given and there is no address like it around us. So not sure what to do about that. Then shopped for a few things of food we need before Monday and ate dinner at Moe's Southwest Grill. Went to another lesson with the guy we looked up last night and got to teach him the restoration and help him resolve some concerns he has. Then we we to the church to FaceTime Marie but she never answered our calls until it was too late, we had to get going home. 

7-23-17 

"I've heard it both ways." Sunday and today flew by for me. We had the morning and then we went to church. Church was good and I got to teach gospel principles on the spot. Love it every time that happens. I miss Staten where the missionaries didn't have to teach gospel principles class. Oh well. Then gave a blessing during elder's quorum and after church, we took the sacrament to a senior couple. Then went to Kris' and turns out they threw a small surprise birthday party for me. Had cake and hug out for a few minutes. So that was super nice and thoughtful of them. Then we went and did look ups the rest of the night. No success though. 

So we have some investigators to talk about now. DeQuan is a cool guy in his 20s that isn't to keen on religious organizations as a whole because he sees division between religions. Which is true, it does divide to a degree but we are working with him and he read the Book of Mormon from his last appointment with missionaries making him a progressing investigator now! Then Dan is the other investigator we taught Saturday and he comes from a religious background but doesn't agree with the teachings anymore of that religion. He likes us and the teachings we bring so we are going to see him every Saturday night. We have some other potentials but those 2 are the farthest along so far. 

Thanks so much everyone for your support and being a great example to me. I've learned so much from most of you reading this and hope you feel the gratitude I have for each of you. Enjoy your week and I'll see you in the next one, ✌🏻

EJH

🔥🔛

Week #101 7/17 Missing -Sorry

Week # 100 Letter & Pictures

Hello everyone!

This week was out of the normal with July 4, last week of the transfer, and James' Temple Trip. We didn't get a whole lot of missionary work done because of those 3 things really. So you can see how the week went:

7-3-17

"Shot through the heart, and you're to blame darling, you give love a bad name." Preparation day! And it was a different one. We had laundry and shopping. Went to the mall to meet James and Berkley for lunch but they were late by an hour getting their new dog so we walked around the mall. They got there and they had the dog with them so Berkley, Elder Powell and I got food and went outside to see the dog. It is a 4 month old Husky. And we hung out for a long time and then helped them but stuff at Petco and carry it to their car. Then we had to go change and did some look ups and Knocking but no one was down. Everyone was getting ready for the 4th of July. 

7-4-17

"Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!" Sorry for the log quote but it's Independence day! Today was awesome. We started with calling James right after studies to set plans for the day when he invited us to lunch so we went to Tim Hortons for lunch and hot to chat. They went to a friend's party on the afternoon while we went to the church and did online work and helped the sisters with their computer problems. Then we got notified the pizza guy was going to come to to church that James ordered so we wait around. Never came and after an hour and a half James called and said they don't deliver to our area and they were trying to call us to come pick it up but they had a wrong number for us so they call James. He goes and picks it up and we party all night with him and the sister missionaries as they had nothing planned and no one invited them so we did. It was a blast and they got to fellowship Berkley so she has more people she knows here besides Elder Powell and I. Worked out wonderfully. Then saw a bunch of fireworks on the way home so we got a firework show. 

7-5-17

"Happy birthday to mom!" So we got back to regular routines. We had the usual morning and went knocking in the afternoon for a few hours. People were still hung over. Then had a late district meeting and boy were we distracted. Last one for the transfer and I realized I had 12 more of them. Had dinner and went knocking some more. We talked to a lady on the street as she was walking and she told us to go see her husband and he was interesting. Big Bible guy that made us cite all our sources of doctrine in the Restoration in the Bible. We made it 2 min before he has enough of it as it was saying exactly what we were saying so we just bore testimony and he didn't accept it. Fun guy but not interested whatsoever. So we continued knocking and met a lady that had her daughter tell her yesterday she wanted to go to church so this woman is looking for a good church. Here we come along with what she's looking for and hopefully she comes. Finished knocking and contacted investigators at the church that we haven't seen in a while and also looked up a few people on Facebook we met. 

7-6-17

"Im ready for the end." I'm done with today but I'm writing this before my day is done so I'm not done yet. But hopefully soon. Today was relaxing during the day with complete stress tonight. We did deep clean during the day and got a box from the post office to send home a few things. Then went to the church and did online proselyting until dinner. Then looked up a few people before talking to James all night about tomorrow. Literally started around 7 and still not done around 10 when I am writing this. We have been off and on all night talking and he talks to others while we wait. It's all because there is a big issue with tomorrow going to the temple and so we are trying to deal with it but it is proving to be much more difficult than we originally thought. Hopefully it will be resolved soon. Or this is going to be a long night. 

7-7-17

"Happy birthday to James!" Last night we got word that everything worked out and so we were good to go to the temple but Berkley also sent us a message without James knowing that today is his birthday and we are going to the temple! So that was fun. We got up and did some studying when we went to the ferry terminal and they were late, as usual. That's why we planned a couple hours early cause they were a couple hours late. But we went on the ferry and then took the subway to the temple. We got there and they printed off their names at the family history center and we had a half an hour so we got lunch nearby and James had an allergic reaction actually but wanted to still go to the temple. Wasn't the best experience for him as he was having trouble breathing and then we gave a priesthood blessing and it actually went away within the hour. Amazing experience. Walked around and saw Central Park and hopped on a train back to the ferry and ended up missing our stop and ended up in Brooklyn. So we switched trains and went back to get on the ferry. Waited for the next one and headed home. It's funny how we were on the ferry the same day that the new Spiderman movie came out with a scene on the Staten Island Ferry. Fun thought. Got home around 7 and went to the church to help set up tents for the ward activity tomorrow and headed home. 

7-8-17

"If I got locked away, and we lost it all today. Tell me honestly would you still love me the same? If I showed you my flaws and I couldn't be strong, tell me honestly would you still love me the same?" Another tiring day as we had correlation at 8:30 this morning and then did our studies and planning. Went to lunch near the church and we were originally going to subway but missed the turn and found a place that made sushi burritos. So we had to try that and it was good. Then we went to the church for online proselyting until we helped finish setting up the ward activity BBQ. Had the party and I got caught up on some music that I have missed on the mission. Always love that part of ward activities:) cleaned up and went to visit investigators the rest of the night. And I am exhausted once again of walking and carrying tables/chairs. 

7-9-17

"Im starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways." Sunday funday! And nothing exciting happened today as we had church but had no investigators there today. Bummer. Then we got the leftover food from the BBQ and took it home for lunch and I fell asleep during lunch from exhaustion from past 2 days. And elder Powell did too and we slept till dinner, overslept a ton! So we ate a fast dinner and went knocking in the night and found 2 potentials. Pretty good night and it was nice as it wasn't blazings hot but a nice cool summer night. 

Harold came to the BBQ Saturday night but not to church sadly on Sunday. Never got to meet with him this week to teach either. Then Babajide we never got a hold of again so not sure what to do with him. James did great at the temple but had a rough time with health issues going on while he was in the temple. But he said he would go again in the future. 

And for transfers, I'm leaving Staten Island. Leaving after only 3 here and going somewhere for my last 2 transfers. I'll find out tomorrow where I'm going. 

Love you all and hope everyone has a great week! I'll see you next week in my new area, ✌️

Week # 99 Letter & Pictures

Hey guys, so temple trip got moved to this week due to reasoning you will read later. But hopefully this one will happen! You never know for sure until they are actually at the temple. 

And then here's the week in a nutshell:

6-26-17
"Ow, ow, ow, ouch." Today we got sunburnt. We went to Fort Wadsworth as our district activity to play sports and also to explore around for a bit. We stayed for like 3 hours and then went to the Spanish chapel to eat lunch and play other games. After preparation day we cleaned up and did some online proselyting before James and Berkley got there. Then we talked about temples and to prepare for Saturday. So exciting! 

6-27-17
"Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah. Jesus anointed that prophet and seer." I was told today was the day Joseph Smith was martyred all those years ago so to remember him, I choose that quote. Today was actually pretty great. We had district meeting after studies and then lunch. I typed out a Facebook post during that time and got it nice looking. I wanted to get the members in Staten to see it and read it mostly but so far a lot of home people have been sharing or liking it. Then we went to the church so Elder Powell could do that same but to his blog and then we talked with a few members and investigators online before going to dinner. Then after dinner we went to a potential lesson but it fell through so we did some look ups of people on the street and tried contacting a referral nearby but no success. We went knocking on Gordon St which we have knocked already but went for the homes that didn't answer last time. We found no success till the end, yep, the end. And we street contacted a guy actually and he is blind but was very nice and very curious so we taught the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. We gave him one and he said he will have someone read it to him and we are going to see him Friday. Hopefully it works out as he was interested. Then we went to the church for some daily contact and to send off the updates to our area on maps.me. 

6-28-17
"All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us." Today I woke up to an interesting and depressing email. My family got my flight plans and sent me a screen shot. I just got made fun of all day from Elder Powell of how old I am. Thanks mom. So after that awakening we had our morning and we went to pick up a recent convert named Elvic whom I interviewed last transfer for baptism and we went to a lesson with Babajide. Elvic was awesome in the lesson and bore powerful testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon to have a great lesson. Babajide really opened up to us and we are set to go back with Elvic on Friday. Also started a group chat but had some troubles tonight getting that set up. But then we dropped off Elvic and went to the church and spent an hour calling the temple and James to schedule a time to go. Saturday they were only available for us at 7 am meaning we had to wake up at 4:30 to get there on time. We decided against that and changed it to next Friday at 2:30. Much better and then had dinner. Went back to the church to try setting up that chat but took forever and also did the daily contact with others during that time. Took a while and never quite got it so hopefully tomorrow we can get that rolling. 

6-29-17
"Here come the men in black. They won't let you remember." Today went by fast. We got up and did studies and just as they were ending we got a call from the spanish elders to help their member with some service so we went and helped for like an hour and a half moving furniture. Then had lunch at Wendy's and went home to change. Went to interviews with President and then the zone leaders planned a little with us to help us. Went home in traffic so it took forever and went to the church for a few things online. Went down to the bottom of the area to see Harold and it was a better lesson than usual. He asked questions that actually related to the gospel and the Book of Mormon this time. So it was a much better lesson but he still has some concerns. We are trying to stick to basics when he keeps going into things that don't pertain to getting baptized or anything like that. So it's a struggle to keep him going on the right path. Then headed home. 

6-30-17
"Get ready guys. I'm back in hardware mode." Today was off for me. Little things like I could not parallel park for the life of me today when I do it a million times a day. Messed up like 20 times. And I didnt really have much nutrition in me I realized tonight so that could affect it. Brother Colbert took us out to breakfast at IHOP and then we went to the church to finish our morning of studies. Went to pick up Elvic for Babajide's lesson but he wasn't available and then we went to the lesson ourselves but Babajide doesn't answer the door or the phone. So we weren't able to teach and never heard from him all day. I hate it when investigators do that as I always fear they aren't interested anymore. So we went to the church to weekly plan and then went to correlation at Costco. I wasn't hungry so I just got the berry smoothie which I like the old recipe better, just saying. Then went to the Church to put together a list of formers to visit and the first one we visit is a part member family of a less active and the less active was home. So he invites us in and we talk all night getting to know him and his background. Interesting guy. Name is Ron and been baptized for like 15 years. Super nice and will have us over anytime. So we are still Co fused at why he doesn't attend church so that what we are going to be trying to find out this coming week. Headed home after him. 

7-1-17
"We're half way there, oh oh, livin on a prayer. Take my hand and we'll make it I swear." Half way through the year already. And today rained us out. We got up and did studies and then went to the church to do our car report and the sisters gave us leftover pizza they didn't want so we got free lunch! Did a lot of daily contacting while we were there and when we left it was downpouring outside! We planned to go contact at the park right then so we waited like 10 min and it lightened up so we went and hoped someone would be there. We talked to 2 people but no new investigators and then it started downpouring on us. So we did look ups of formers the rest of the afternoon during the rain. Ate dinner at Chipotle and went knocking for half an hour before it rained on us again, but harder this time! That's when we went to the church to finish up dialysis contact and found out Harold had read 13 chapters of the book of mormon! Also talked to a former investigator we dropped earlier this week that stopped by the church right when we were there. He's the one into family history and was hoping the center was open. Then headed home after that. 

7-2-17
"I don't get art. There's nothing to get about it!" Today was a tiring day with it being fast Sunday. Church was good though and went good but then after church we talked with James for 2 hours almost as he had a huge concern with personal privacy and how much the church has access to his personal information. We tried helping and he met with Bishop throughout church too and vented to us afterwards. So that was very tiring and long. Didn't help much and we just hope he is still good with everything. He has just had some problems in the past with identity theft and doesn't want it to happen again. Then we went to a pass off lesson with the Spanish elders but the person wasn't around so we went back in 30 min and this time the cops were their interrogating the person we were there to see. So we couldn't meet. Then went to members home for dinner, the Samperts, and spent a while there as they love to talk! And also another member was there so it was social hour and we didn't get a chance to share a message. Then we crashed as we were still out of energy and stuffed of food. But still tried to find. But not in the mood so it didn't last long. Didn't find anyone but I'm tired now. Night.

I was so tired last night I missed Sunday night calls funny enough. But Harold coming in strong with reading the Book of Mormon finally. He said he felt bad we have asked him so many time and he never did it. So we guilt tripped him I to it but Sunday he said it was an addicting book! That's a good sign! Babajide was doing good at the beginning of the week but then lost him in the second half. Don't know why or what happened but hopefully we get back in contact soon. James is doing good other than yesterday's fiasco. He got to the point of almost not wanting to go to the temple in defiance but we calm him down and hopefully still wants to go. We are meeting him today so we are going to work on that. 

Happy 4th of July tomorrow! We have no plans as of right now except exchanges for a few hours. I'm not a fan of doing it on a holiday so hopefully we can end it earlier than at night. More around dinner time to go see our people we work with.

Have a great week and I'll see you next week, ✌️

EJH

🔥🔛

Week #98 Letter & Pictures

So this week I just kept getting emails of crazy events that are happening. I got an email of where my cousin is going on his mission, I got an email that a good friend has decided to go on a mission and is almost done with their papers, and I got an email last Monday that my homecoming talk is scheduled for Oct 8. It was a crazy week as far as that but for actual missionary work, it was a great week. 

6-19-17

"Why do you tell me things, I don't want to know that!" Preparation day! And we decided to mix it up in the afternoon. We had laundry and email at the church. Lunch at Burger King and more email but then we decided to go get cool fidget spinners and we drove all the way to the bottom of our area to this store we found online that sells them and bought a fidget spinner each that is a rainbow fade. It's pretty cool and then we went to the Spanish chapel to play basketball and have haircuts. We got out late as it took a while to cut hair and we were last. Cleaned up at home and ate dinner but the rain outside made flash flood alerts go crazy on our phones. Good thing we had some things to do online so we did those from the apartment and had a group chat going with some YM to hopefully start working more with them this week. 

6-20-17

"It's time to ask yourself, what do you want to be remembered for?" Pretty great day overall. We had the usual morning and then lunch. Went to district meeting and ended up going over by an hour. Also started late so that didn't help and also had to talk about a few more things so now we got late into the afternoon. Then we went knocking on a street we knocked before but this time knocking on those that didn't answer. Ended up a guy we met before but he is a little slower than most people but has real intent. Then exchanged with elder Fowles and Beecher. I'm with Elder Beecher for the day but they fed us dinner as we started late. Went to a lesson and ended up teaching 3 people there. 1 we met before on Sunday and the other 2 live in the same home and all were participating in the lesson so it was awesome. All 3 became new investigators! Then tried 2 potential lessons but those fell through and so we did potential look ups and dropped some more as they weren't interested anymore. And then headed home. It was funny to see Elder Beecher's reaction to the apartment as he served here 6 months ago. 

6-21-17

"I proclaim this to be the summer of George!" It was a good exchange. We got up and did our normal studies and lunch but saved companionship Study for the afternoon to help split it up a little bit and so before companionship study we did some look up and knocking homes that didn't answer before on 2 streets. Then we went to the church for companionship study and went home to grab his stuff. Ended our exchange knocking a road and meeting Elder Fowles and Powell there. We then exchanged back and went to the church for James and. Berkley. They showed up late again with dinner but we forgave them as they had dinner and so we ate and talked about some concerns James brought up earlier this week and then went into online proselyting and teaching James how to do it since that is how he was found from Berkley. So exciting and he continued talking and Elder Powell had a few questions for him which ended up taking the night. So we headed home after that. 

6-22-17

"We came, we saw, we conquered." It was a fairly boring day today as we had weekly planning in the afternoon and we also spent some time figuring out our devices again. We had a problem of not having our mormon.org email on the phone and not knowing how but Elder Powell is good with Samsung and figured it out and then sent a step by step instruction to the district to have as well. And also cleaned up Facebook a little more so that was our afternoon and then after we had dinner, we were about to start knocking when the sisters wanted us to clean the relief society room for their baptism tomorrow and we are the ones who always eat in there with James and Berkley so we went and cleaned it up. Then we went knocking and talked to a few people but none turned into new investigators. Went back to the church to send off the maps.me roads where we send it to the district which roads we knocked, who is interested, who isn't, who speaks English and who speaks Spanish. This way we don't knock the same houses. And we knock the ones that didn't answer last time. 

6-23-17

"I feel like I just got hit by a truck." Yeah, like a truck. That's how I felt today as it was more of a weirder day. We got up and went to correlation before studies or planning at Burger King and our ward mission leader bought us breakfast. Then we did our studies and planning and didn't have lunch as we weren't hungry but we went to knock homes that didn't answer last time. No success but we went to teach that potential from Wednesday on exchanges and his name is Babajide. He's from Nigeria and he had a problem with the church but loved reading the book of mormon but we were able to get past that and go into his home to read 3 Nephi 11 with him. He was so cool about it he already was curious about coming to church before us asking and he was one that didn't like religions. So big steps for Babajide. And I didn't write it but I remember distinctly on Wednesday that there was no answer the first time we rang his bell, but I felt to ring it again and a few seconds later he answered thinking we were the delivery dude. Now this is what it has turned into. We just hope he goes to church. Then our next lesson fell through so we could to he'd knocking and switched areas to knock. Then went to the church just before dinner to catch up on area book and inputting everyone into it. Had dinner and went knocking until our lesson, which fell hough and so we went to the sisters baptism tonight for a 9 year old. That ended our night. 

6-24-17

"Another one bites the dust. And another one down, and another one down, and another one bites the dust!" We woke up to another mouse caught. Haven't seen them in over a month but we caught another. So today was interesting. We had the usual morning and then we went to 2 potential lessons. The first didn't answer, but the second shoved us out of the hallways and outside then locked the door behind us. He wasnt down. So we knocked around and found more people that didn't want to talk to us. Like this was worse than usual so we took that to mean this isn't the time. Went to the church and sent off some daily contacts and reminding people about church tomorrow. Then had dinner and we decided we want to try Facebook finding even more than we have before. So we went to the church and looked up all the members we could, all our investigators, some formers, and started messaging a few and getting their background. Could be considered Facebook stalking but we found one we wanted to go visit so we went. Wasn't home but talked to 2 chill guys that claim they're saved but was down to read the pamphlet we left and gave them our card. So maybe something will come out of it.

6-25-17

"Sing me a song, you're the piano man. Sing me a song tonight. Cause we're all in the mood for a melody." Today was church day. So we got up and got ready, went to church and Babajide came to church! He only came for sacrament as he had to go afterwards but he came after knocking into him this week! Then James got the priesthood and them his temple recommend after church. So we are good to go to the temple this Saturday! Had lunch and we looked up a ton of members and less actives on Facebook to friend. Then went knocking and talked to a few people that are solid. Even got ones Facebook info to keep in contact. Then we headed to Brother Colberts for dinner and then headed home. 

Babajide is our progressing investigator now as he is reading the book of Mormon and attended church all in 4 days basically. Elder Beecher said he was the first person to ever see a person found, taught, have read a little, and attend church all in a week. And he goes home in 2 weeks. So that shows Babajide's potential. We are super excited and James got the priesthood yesterday and a temple recommend so we are good for temple trip! Didn't see Harold this week, and we got a few Potentials but none that are past the second lesson yet. 

So I realize there was no pictures from last week's email. Not my fault, I put them in. It is this junky phones fault. It has had a lot of problems this week and lagging out hard-core some days. I'll try again but I'm not making any promises they will be there. 

Hope you have a great week, I'll see you in the next one. ✌️

EJH