April 14, 2014

Interesting Little week!

First off, Today is my 11 month mark?! Didn't I just finish 10? I don't understand what's happening.

Secondly, yesterday morning, we found out changes or transfers. I'll be leaving the área! So that's super fun! It's a hassle to get all of my things ready by tomorrow morning. Who knows where the Lord will send me or if I have interviews with President to be made Zone Leader. Really, I LOVE district leader. It's the best, I'd say. So, tomorrow, I'll be in a new área with a new companion with new people not knowing anything. I'm super excited!!

But, it really is hard to leave an área after so much time here. I've been here for 18 weeks. We have been going around saying good bye to recent converts and to investigators that are progressing to get baptized. We have a mom and her son with baptismal dates here really soon, like this week and the next. When I told them I wouldn't be coming back, the 12 year old kid, Isaías, just sat there struck. He got super sad. Really, as a missionary, you grow to love the people and the people grow to love you. It's truly beautiful.

Last night, we also had a Family Home Evening with Familia Melgar, recent converts of mine. I taught the lesson and at the end gave them the pictures from their baptism. The joy that lit up their faces. They literally had a smile plastered to their faces as they remembered that beautiful day. Then, that smile left quite quick. I told them that on Wednesday, I'd be leaving early in the morning and not be coming back. The mom and daughter couldn't hold back the tears. That is heart wrenching. Talk about imposible to sing the closing hymn (Lead Kindly Light). As a missionary, we see miracles, we live miracles. Every soul that has chosen to change their lives and be baptized is a miracle, really.

Tonight will be even harder. I have found my second family here. It's the family of my cook and clothes washer. Just last week, the Mom, Flor, was just thinking about the thought that I might be leaving tomorrow. With this thought, she started to cry. She told me when I first got here. Like in week 2 or 3. When you go, I will cry. Tonight, we'll have a lesson with this family as a farewell. There will be tears shed. These people have impacted my life in an unforgettable way. Yesterday, we spent a Little bit of our P-Day with them. They have a ton of chickens. yesterday, I killed 6 or 7 and then we ate them for lunch. From living chicken to grilled chicken in less than 30 minutes. That's what I'd call fresh food, fast.

I'm super excited to get to my new área and to meet my new companion. I want someone I can joke around with and a naturally hardworker. We'll see what happens. More than anything, I want a Latino companion.

WIth Love, (Con Amor)

--Elder Hunt

Santiago's current district. He's district leader. And in the back on the left.

April 8, 2014

My companion doesn't talk to me. Ever. About anything...unless it's traditional food from Ecuador that I don't understand. It's a blast.

Next week, there will be changes. On Monday, I'll learn if anything will change with me. On Tuesday, I'll let you know. On Wednesday, if there are changes, they'll take place. Exciting stuff!!

Also, I received y'alls package. Thank y'all so much, you're the best!! It's a hard temptation to fight eating all the Candy at once, but I'll over come it. Also, I accept packages from everybody :)

General Conference was AMAZING!! The three talks that really stuck out to me were Elder Bednar, like always, and Elder Robert D. Hales. The talk I've thought about most has been what Dallin H. Oaks taught in the Priesthood Session Saturday Night. It literally 'blew my mind'. It's going to be a great talk to read and study and ponder. General Conference is like Christmas. We don't do much of anything.

Good news! For Mother's Day, we'll be skyping! So, I need you to send me your Skype account. A Little later on, I'll tell y'all what time and everything. It'll be fantastic. But, just prepare yourselves, only 40 minutes max.

Right now, I'm in consecration mode. I've got 13 months left. It's time to get down to business. I might not go home with a ton of baptisms or anything like that, but that's ok. But I will become the best teacher, missionary, leader, companion, and person in general. It's my goal and focus to go home truly converted. By having this as my focus I know that baptisms will come and fill my life with joy. But, the changes I make now, the things I do now, will affect many future generations. There's no time to wait. I can't sleep during the Restoration! I invite y'all to do the same thing. Obey the Commandments. Don't Modify commandments or rules, that'll only do harm to you. There's nothing to lose by being obedient, just everything to gain--eternal life.

I'm working on writing a letter, maybe it'll get to you this month...or the next. Who knows?

Well, ''Mission: The Consecration of Elder Hunt'' has now begun. It'll be fantastic.

I love y'all!

--Elder Hunt

Email from April 1

There's not much at all to say this week, quite sad.

I haven't really been having time to write in my journal this week and I'm a Little behind. This week was mememorable in the way you don't want a week to be memorable. SUPER hot. And a big trial of my patience. The Little things that people do just drive me crazy...or at least, they used to. For example, I don't know why, but this week my companion has started to do something that has just driven me bonkers! I'll knock on a door. After my Little knock rhythm, he has to knock the door one more time. EVERY DOOR! Literally, drives me bonkers. But not once did I get mad. It's a miracle how much patience I've gained these past few months. I'm going to come home quite a different person, so that'll be interesting. And also a big trial of faith, but that's fun.

I'm so excited for conference this weekend, I can't even control it. We're inviting the whole world. We made Little fliers that we're giving to the people we talk to. Literally, I feel like conference is like a holiday, I'm getting shakey just thinking about it! I know it will be fantastic!!

DyC 58:1-9. Especially verse 3 impacted me. My natural eyes can't see the grand designs of God, but after the trials and tribulation will come the eternal glory. Also, verse 6. I was sent to be obedient and to testify. There isn't allowance for disobedience of the slightest. These few verses have given me great comfort and have changed my thinking.

I love y'all a ton! If you have questions, ask!

--Elder Hunt