Elder Hitchcock: April 2009

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Russell's Email 4-9-09

This week was one of refiners fire. I love serving my mission, but occasionally the Lord sees fit to test us again. He always shows an increase in blessing as a result of the efforts we put forth though.
The week started in opposition as we had a zone conference where we hiked to the top of a mountain in Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV. (That place has epic mountain biking. I was trunky for my bike.... bad, I'm only 4 months out. I shouldn't be trunky for anything.) As we got to the top of the mountain, we sang High on the Mountain Top and then we spoke about vision. As we overlooked Boulder City, Las Vegas, and Lake Meade, we learned about the Vision that Heavenly Father has for us, and how we need our own vision. He quoted Psalms, "Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." I then got to speak on obedience and letting virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly. I loved being able to take part in the conference. My main points to get accross were, "You cannot live the spirit of the law without first obeying the letter of the law." and "A thought does not have to be bad to be unvirtuous." I think I made the example because during the hike to the summit, I saw two mountain bikers and, in passing, I checked out their bikes. I stood on top of this mountain and said, "was that thought bad? NO! but it distracted me from my purpose and left me unprepared to share the gospel if an opportunity had presented itself. A thought does not have to be BAD to be unvirtuous."
Upon returning to the chapel after almost being blown off the mountain by 50 mph winds, we sat together and President said something that still sounds in my mind. "If you have vision, you will succeed. If you don't, the people perish."
Another great blessing came when we receieved a phone call. A family of 7 just moved into our ward, and four of them are baptism age and have already been taught the Gospel. The C. family is getting ready now, and we are so excited for this work to progress even more.
I don't have time to write much more, but it's okay. I know this work is true, the Lord is at the head of it. I know that Heavenly Father loves his children, and I know that he wants us to be happy. This is the way, and it's the only way.

Elder Hitchcock

Russell's Email 4-2-09

This week has been another week that has built my faith in Jesus Christ and the love of our Heavenly Father. I have seen in multiple cases where the Spirit has touched hearts of people that is nothing short of a miracle.

I see the power of missionaries. In the last two weeks, about 4 families who have been less active have decided to come back to Church. Elder Hunt and I have the opportunity to teach them about the Priesthood to prepare them to receive it. I'm REALLY excited for the blessings that are to come to these people.

I also had the opporunity to have Family Home Evening with the U. family. I have such a love for them and I'm so grateful for the blessing that they have been in my life. It's amazing to see the hand of the Lord as he acts in our lives.

I'm also really grateful for the leadership of the church on the local level. I am amazed at the kind of man that Bishop Brandt is and how respectable he is. I love working with the leadership and having their help in this work. It's true, missionaries cannot do anything without the assistance of the ward and it's members.

I love being here and serving the Lord. Many young people believe, "When I go on a mission, I have to meet this sterotype." It's so not true... I love being me and interacting with people, building their faith in Jesus Christ and helping them to see that, because Heavenly Father loves us, there is always more.

One such example is a man named S. We talked to him and he had talked to missionaries several times before. I asked what the thought and he was kind of stand offish. I said, "S., do you know that Heavenly Father knows you and loves you?" He replied that he wasn't all that sure there was a God. I held my arms out like "LOOK AROUND!" and said, "S., the things we have here, the sun, the mountains, the trees, all these beautiful creations testify that Heavenly Father is real and that he loves his children." That was pretty much the end of that contact but I could tell he was touched by the Spirit and that he wanted to be happy and he felt something.

I'm grateful for this experience to serve the Lord and to grow in this gospel. I know this is the faith that produces salvation and I know the Savior is indeed the way, the truth and the life.
Granted, as a 20 year old with one year of college and "real world" (ha, it's not really real world) experience, there's a lot of things that I don't know. However, this is one that I know without a shadow of a doubt.

Elder Russell Christian Hitchcock

Russell's Email 3-26-09

So I forgot my planner so I am going off of memory, but the highlights of this week were mainly this week. On Monday we had a really good day and had some awesome lessons. We taught C. again and we watched a movie with her. We watched Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. I love that movie so much! The Spirit is so strong and it's awesome to see the love that Joseph Smith had for this work. A scripture that has become a favorite is in Mosiah and part of it says, "...to stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places." That was the Prophet Joseph. The Spirit was really strong and it reconfirmed to me the truthfulness of this message.
Right after that we had another lesson at the Bishop Brandt's house. His daughter Ashley had invited a few friends to have a lesson and we were joined by her friends and two other youth from the ward. The lesson was awesome and I really loved to see the spirit they had because everyone there wanted to learn. It's amazing what the Spirit can does... It doesn't surprise me, but it amazes me everyday...

Then Tuesday happened. Tuesday was perhaps the worst day of my mission so far. Our appointments fell through until dinner, and we rode about 3 miles to dinner only to learn they had moved, and so we had to ride another mile or two. Once we got there it wasn't bad, and we enjoyed their company. After dinner we had a good lesson with a member and her friend. A. (the friend) has been looking for a purpose in life and needing the sense of direction the Gospel offers. I really enjoyed teaching because I think she made some connections!

So Tuesday was really bad... But Wednesday... What to say about wednesday. I would say it was the most effective prosolyting day of my mission. I loved it and enjoyed it so much! Oh so many stories for the journal, I'd share but I'm out of time now...

Maybe next week I won't close the email or forget my planner. Thanks for all the support!

Elder Hitchcock

The first two pictures are disposing of alcohol The third is Elder Davis, Bishop Brandt, and me The last is the U. family and Elder Davis and me.

Note from Haley

As many of you probably know, Elder Hitchcock lived with me and my family for several months after I had my twin boys. During this time, it became a "game" to find foods that Elder Hitchcock would eat (other than chicken quesadillas, pepperoni pizza, and homemade rolls). I finally found a pasta dish that he really liked. (He's gonna be so mad at me for telling everyone about his picky eating habits!)

Fast forward many months: I got the sweetest email from a family in Elder Hitchcock's ward, who were going to feed the missionaries one night and apparently Elder Hitchcock conveyed his love of this certain pasta dish. This sweet family was going to make one of his favorite meals for him. Of course, I sent the recipe, and they sent me back this picture of Elder Hitchcock and Elder Davis, along with their family.

Thank you to the Vazquez family for feeding my brother, and for going out of your way to cater to a picky eater!