My title for this email was way to long. It was supposed to be, "Upper Respitory Infection, new missionary, and turkey bowl disaster"
Now to explain, over the past three weeks, Elder S. and I struggled a lot with our health. Finally, Monday night Elder s. had to go to the doctor (I was pretty much recovered). He had an upper respitory infection. So we pretty much coasted the past week of the transfer, and then he got transfered. I was sad to part, but I was even more excited for the new opportunity that awaited me.
Sunday night, the assistants make a special phone call to missionaries who are moving into leadership positions (new zone and district leaders, trainers, ect.) Well, another missionary in my apartment got a training call. At the end of their conversation, Elder B. asked to speak with me also. I answered and he said, "Elder Hitchcock, it's going to be a training party in the Oasis Landing!" My new comp is fresh from the MTC, Elder V. B. from St. Albert, Alberta. I didn't know something good could come from Canada, but he's way tight. I already love this transfer and I look forward to the next 5 weeks.
Now for the turkey bowl. I messed my anckle up, but I think I will be okay in a few days. Right after President told us to be careful and had his discourse we started, within five minutes I was on the ground. I can still ride my bike and all that, but some prayers for speedy recovery would be nice!
I wanted to share something I am grateful for, especially with the season. About two weeks ago, I was sitting in my chair at my desk thinking, "I feel like the same Russell who came into the mission almost a year ago.. Have I made any improvement or have I coasted for the past year? Am I becoming the missionary that I and my Heavenly Father want me to be?" These questions started to haunt me until a day or two ago. I felt really overwhelmed with the responsibility of training, and I cast my mind again upon this thought and I realized this. Over the past year I have developed into a strong teacher of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, my testimony has become firm and steadfast around the truthfullness of the restoration, and I've learned about patience, charity, and love for so many people! I'm so thankful for the time that I have to serve as a missionary during this season. As sister Christensen said this morning, "What better way to tell Heavenly Father you are thankful than to be serving a mission!"
Monday, March 22, 2010
Russell's Email 11-19-09
Ah another week in Central LV...
This week was actually a special week and one unlike the others that I have had. On Saturday, an investigator we started teaching but gave over when the new missionaries came in, made a covenant with Heavenly Father and then on Sunday, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
There's something very special about this investigator though. I have never talked to someone on the street who ended up getting baptized, until Saturday. I'll send a picture next week!
Other than that, things in Vegas are going well. I was sick last week, and then my companion caught my sickness. I'm recovering, and he is still pretty sick but we are trying to work as much as possible while staying well rested.
This transfer is about to close. I have learned a lot from the missionaries that I have served with and around, and I have also learned a lot from several of the members of the ward. One thing that I really want to do after my mission is take good care of the missionaries. To those members who might be reading this, especially those who have helped my companion and I while we have been sick, we're very thankful for everything you did!
I've also learned a great deal from other missionaries this transfer. One thing is, if you don't learn something every single day, you're not doing missionary work the right way. I've learned a lot over the past couple of weeks about personal revelation, my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon.
I had a super spiritual experience at District Meeting on Tuesday. We had an activity where I played the investigator, and 7 missionaries taught me the Plan of Salvation. I prayed really hard that I would be able to accuratly play the role of someone investigating the Church. I think I did a fair job, but I learned so much. One of the missionaries talked about faith and repentence, and for the moment, I really didn't know what those were. Another missionary actually offended me really bad lol. All in all, I learned that missionary work is not meant to be done quickly. The words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph came to mind,
"But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief."
There's no reason to rush through anything in missionary work. I have another year to serve, and that's plenty of time for me to talk to everyone, to bear my testimony slowly, and to share the gospel slowly. Speeding up lessons doesn't do anything.
I'm very thankful for some of these lessons, and I look forward to what lies ahead of me. I'm also thankful for the support of those who write me and email me, I cannot explain how much that means. Thanks so much!
To those who might not be members, I hope that you will take a few minutes and think about how you have felt as I have shared some of these things. As you do, remember, "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." I'd invite you to visit www.mormon.org and to chat with a missionary who can answer your questions.
I love ya'll and thanks so much for dropping by!
Elder Russell Christian Hitchcock
This week was actually a special week and one unlike the others that I have had. On Saturday, an investigator we started teaching but gave over when the new missionaries came in, made a covenant with Heavenly Father and then on Sunday, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
There's something very special about this investigator though. I have never talked to someone on the street who ended up getting baptized, until Saturday. I'll send a picture next week!
Other than that, things in Vegas are going well. I was sick last week, and then my companion caught my sickness. I'm recovering, and he is still pretty sick but we are trying to work as much as possible while staying well rested.
This transfer is about to close. I have learned a lot from the missionaries that I have served with and around, and I have also learned a lot from several of the members of the ward. One thing that I really want to do after my mission is take good care of the missionaries. To those members who might be reading this, especially those who have helped my companion and I while we have been sick, we're very thankful for everything you did!
I've also learned a great deal from other missionaries this transfer. One thing is, if you don't learn something every single day, you're not doing missionary work the right way. I've learned a lot over the past couple of weeks about personal revelation, my testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon.
I had a super spiritual experience at District Meeting on Tuesday. We had an activity where I played the investigator, and 7 missionaries taught me the Plan of Salvation. I prayed really hard that I would be able to accuratly play the role of someone investigating the Church. I think I did a fair job, but I learned so much. One of the missionaries talked about faith and repentence, and for the moment, I really didn't know what those were. Another missionary actually offended me really bad lol. All in all, I learned that missionary work is not meant to be done quickly. The words of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph came to mind,
"But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief."
There's no reason to rush through anything in missionary work. I have another year to serve, and that's plenty of time for me to talk to everyone, to bear my testimony slowly, and to share the gospel slowly. Speeding up lessons doesn't do anything.
I'm very thankful for some of these lessons, and I look forward to what lies ahead of me. I'm also thankful for the support of those who write me and email me, I cannot explain how much that means. Thanks so much!
To those who might not be members, I hope that you will take a few minutes and think about how you have felt as I have shared some of these things. As you do, remember, "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." I'd invite you to visit www.mormon.org and to chat with a missionary who can answer your questions.
I love ya'll and thanks so much for dropping by!
Elder Russell Christian Hitchcock
Russell's Email 10-29-09
I have had such a great last few days, I can't even begin to tell you (I might just try to though!)
Yesterday Elder Pace of the 70 came to the mission for our zone conference and spent about 2 hours talking to us. I was really impressed and I felt really blessed to learn from a special witness of Jesus Christ.
The zone conference went really well! We had some trainings about talking to people when we go and work with members (i.e. street contacting and such with members) and President gave some return and report about how the mission was doing. We are doing well, but then Elder Pace told us how we were really doing. I quickly realized that the mission, and the companionships are not as unified as we should be. Elder Pace asked why and people gave some reasons, and then I asked him a question (I was the only person to ask a question in front of the whole group) I asked, "How do you continue to work hard when others don't put forth their best effort to meet the goal?" He talked the next hour and a half about unity and working towards a common goal and told us how close we were to reaching our fullest potential. He said our mission was in the top 90%, but with a little work, we could be in the top 99%. I want to be the greatest mission in the world, and I'm determined to do my part in working towards that goal.
After being taught by Elder Pace, we had the opportunity to go to the temple this morning. Elder S., Elder V.(the district leader) and I woke up early and rode our bikes to the temple. I got pictures of the three of us up at the temple. I'll send it next week. It was a really good session and the ride there built my faith.
We prayed that all would go well and that we could travel in safety. The wind was at our backs the whole way! We were riding down Stewart towards the mountain and came up to the Lamb intersection. We had the green light, and the turning light (so each lane or traffic was stopped except for ours) and we were the only moving things on that side of the road but cars were lined up at all three other sections. Elder V. was in the back, and as soon as he got to the cross walk on the other side of the intersection, the light turned yellow. We didn't catch a single red light, we didn't have to stop at all. It built my faith, even something as small as biking to the temple. (plus, that filled a mission dream to bike to the temple lol)
Ah, this was a great week!
Yesterday Elder Pace of the 70 came to the mission for our zone conference and spent about 2 hours talking to us. I was really impressed and I felt really blessed to learn from a special witness of Jesus Christ.
The zone conference went really well! We had some trainings about talking to people when we go and work with members (i.e. street contacting and such with members) and President gave some return and report about how the mission was doing. We are doing well, but then Elder Pace told us how we were really doing. I quickly realized that the mission, and the companionships are not as unified as we should be. Elder Pace asked why and people gave some reasons, and then I asked him a question (I was the only person to ask a question in front of the whole group) I asked, "How do you continue to work hard when others don't put forth their best effort to meet the goal?" He talked the next hour and a half about unity and working towards a common goal and told us how close we were to reaching our fullest potential. He said our mission was in the top 90%, but with a little work, we could be in the top 99%. I want to be the greatest mission in the world, and I'm determined to do my part in working towards that goal.
After being taught by Elder Pace, we had the opportunity to go to the temple this morning. Elder S., Elder V.(the district leader) and I woke up early and rode our bikes to the temple. I got pictures of the three of us up at the temple. I'll send it next week. It was a really good session and the ride there built my faith.
We prayed that all would go well and that we could travel in safety. The wind was at our backs the whole way! We were riding down Stewart towards the mountain and came up to the Lamb intersection. We had the green light, and the turning light (so each lane or traffic was stopped except for ours) and we were the only moving things on that side of the road but cars were lined up at all three other sections. Elder V. was in the back, and as soon as he got to the cross walk on the other side of the intersection, the light turned yellow. We didn't catch a single red light, we didn't have to stop at all. It built my faith, even something as small as biking to the temple. (plus, that filled a mission dream to bike to the temple lol)
Ah, this was a great week!
Russell's Email 10-15-09
more new adventures! Coming every six weeks from the Nevada Las Vegas mission! The latest happened at the last transfer conference (last Tuesday) where a new companionship moved into my ward!!! And then they took our 2 investigators with a baptism date and almost all of our progressing investigators! :(
As much as I don't like it, I had a spiritual confirmation that this was the correct thing that this time. Elder S. continue to cover the Desert Sage ward, but now we cover from (specific street names...don't know if that should be public knowledge or not!!). Basically a half mile wide by about 3 miles long.
I'm excited to serve with this two other missionaries and to work as hard as I can. I really feel that the Lord is going to bless us with more investigators to replace the ones that we lost and help us still have success as we serve.
Things are going better also in our apartment! No more bed bugs! I can't tell you how nice it is to get rid of those nasty little creatures! Our apartment is also a lot cleaner. I love that so much!
I have a special request from everyone. I told our investigator, Maria, that I was going to ask everyone to include her in their prayers. Will everyone do that? She could really use the extra prayers and support, even if she doesn't know she's getting them. Thanks so much!
Hm, I think that's about all that happened this week, and I hope that everyone has had a great week and that they will yet have an amazing and blessed week. Love ya!
As much as I don't like it, I had a spiritual confirmation that this was the correct thing that this time. Elder S. continue to cover the Desert Sage ward, but now we cover from (specific street names...don't know if that should be public knowledge or not!!). Basically a half mile wide by about 3 miles long.
I'm excited to serve with this two other missionaries and to work as hard as I can. I really feel that the Lord is going to bless us with more investigators to replace the ones that we lost and help us still have success as we serve.
Things are going better also in our apartment! No more bed bugs! I can't tell you how nice it is to get rid of those nasty little creatures! Our apartment is also a lot cleaner. I love that so much!
I have a special request from everyone. I told our investigator, Maria, that I was going to ask everyone to include her in their prayers. Will everyone do that? She could really use the extra prayers and support, even if she doesn't know she's getting them. Thanks so much!
Hm, I think that's about all that happened this week, and I hope that everyone has had a great week and that they will yet have an amazing and blessed week. Love ya!
Russell's Email 10-8-09
This week has been fun! Conference was nothing short of amazing and I really loved the talks that were given. I'll try to share some of my favorites.
Elder Holland, like always, takes it all. His talk was nothing more than amazing pure testimony from a special witness of the Savior and of the divinity of this work.
I also loved Elder Ballards talk in the Priesthood session and about communication between fathers and sons. Something I quickly realized is these suggestions are perfect for that relationship, but could and should be applied to all other relationships.
Elder Bednar's talk was amazing. My favorite part was when he said that it shouldn't be the case for husbands to say, "I don't tell my family I love them enough." I made the decision right then to be the one who says, "My wife probably gets sick of me telling her that I love her, but I love her."
Tadd R Callister also had an amazing talk along with Elder Renlund. I look forward to reading Elder Renlund's talk again (about his son who was working in the area he had prayed would be opened.) When he talked about that, I felt something say, "You need to pray for those in China, your son could be one of those missionaries." I also thought about whose prayers I might an answer to. I for sure had a stronger determination to remain worthy to be the answer to their prayers.
Those were my special moments of conference, but I think the highlight was this scripture. John 6:67-69
"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom should be go, thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure, that thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." One of the General Authorities said this scripture should be engraven on our hearts. I invite everyone to memorize this and internalize it in their lives. I've started to, and I love it.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great week!
Elder Russell Hitchcock
Elder Holland, like always, takes it all. His talk was nothing more than amazing pure testimony from a special witness of the Savior and of the divinity of this work.
I also loved Elder Ballards talk in the Priesthood session and about communication between fathers and sons. Something I quickly realized is these suggestions are perfect for that relationship, but could and should be applied to all other relationships.
Elder Bednar's talk was amazing. My favorite part was when he said that it shouldn't be the case for husbands to say, "I don't tell my family I love them enough." I made the decision right then to be the one who says, "My wife probably gets sick of me telling her that I love her, but I love her."
Tadd R Callister also had an amazing talk along with Elder Renlund. I look forward to reading Elder Renlund's talk again (about his son who was working in the area he had prayed would be opened.) When he talked about that, I felt something say, "You need to pray for those in China, your son could be one of those missionaries." I also thought about whose prayers I might an answer to. I for sure had a stronger determination to remain worthy to be the answer to their prayers.
Those were my special moments of conference, but I think the highlight was this scripture. John 6:67-69
"Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom should be go, thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe, and are sure, that thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God." One of the General Authorities said this scripture should be engraven on our hearts. I invite everyone to memorize this and internalize it in their lives. I've started to, and I love it.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great week!
Elder Russell Hitchcock
Russell's Email 10-1-09
This week was so crazy different. Sunday night I crashed about 9:30 (the whole mission, at president's suggestion) because on Monday, at 8:15, as a mission we started a fast and then all day Monday, all Monday night (yes, after 10:30) and all day on Tuesday, all the missionaries in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission read the Book of Mormon cover to cover. How neat and wonderful this experience was.
I want to share one special insight from reading the Book of Mormon. One thing we often teach about is that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. My testimony, after reading the Book of Mormon this time, is that if God really loves us, he wouldn't give us just one book to help us return and live with him again. Think about it, if this is so important, wouldn't God give us more than one witness? I also thought about the Great Apostasy, where so many of the plain and precious truths of the gospel were lost and now there are so many debated doctrines. Another reason we have the book of Mormon is because "that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins (the Book of Mormon) and that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah (Bible) shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions." How I have come to love the Book of Mormon over the past year, and the past week!!!!
I am so thankful for all these things, and I am so thankful for the chance to hear from my prophet and the Lord's chosen leaders this weekend at conference. I look forward to being taught from on high as we hear these inspired words.
To those who might read these letters, I have a request. I know some of you are members of the Church, some of you are not very active, and some of you are non members. at the conclusion of reading the Book of Mormon, we were asked to reapply the promise at the end of the book of Mormon. The promise that if we ask God, in faith, with real intent, and with a sincere heart that the Holy Ghost will tell us the book is true. If the book is true, Joseph Smith is a true prophet. If he was a true prophet, then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on the earth. This claim is either true or it is not. If it's true, then this is the most important message in the world. I testify, this is true, and it is the most important message in the world. Find out for yourself. Even if you already know it's true, reapply the promise, it will only strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ.
Elder Hitchcock
I want to share one special insight from reading the Book of Mormon. One thing we often teach about is that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. My testimony, after reading the Book of Mormon this time, is that if God really loves us, he wouldn't give us just one book to help us return and live with him again. Think about it, if this is so important, wouldn't God give us more than one witness? I also thought about the Great Apostasy, where so many of the plain and precious truths of the gospel were lost and now there are so many debated doctrines. Another reason we have the book of Mormon is because "that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins (the Book of Mormon) and that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah (Bible) shall grow together unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions." How I have come to love the Book of Mormon over the past year, and the past week!!!!
I am so thankful for all these things, and I am so thankful for the chance to hear from my prophet and the Lord's chosen leaders this weekend at conference. I look forward to being taught from on high as we hear these inspired words.
To those who might read these letters, I have a request. I know some of you are members of the Church, some of you are not very active, and some of you are non members. at the conclusion of reading the Book of Mormon, we were asked to reapply the promise at the end of the book of Mormon. The promise that if we ask God, in faith, with real intent, and with a sincere heart that the Holy Ghost will tell us the book is true. If the book is true, Joseph Smith is a true prophet. If he was a true prophet, then the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on the earth. This claim is either true or it is not. If it's true, then this is the most important message in the world. I testify, this is true, and it is the most important message in the world. Find out for yourself. Even if you already know it's true, reapply the promise, it will only strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ.
Elder Hitchcock
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