EVERYONE!
I don't know if I will ever get used to how much the Lord blesses us everyday and how mindful he is of his children. I think it will continue to blow my mind each week. I love doing this work.
This past week has been really exciting. We have had some great lessons with very incrediable investigators and we also had about an hour and a half long meeting with Elder L Tom Perry and Elder Neal L Anderson (He gave the talk, "You know enough." at conference.) I loved it because the first thing they did was shake everyones hand. I love General Authorities.
I'll go through at a later time and type what all he talked about, or I might just try to send the meeting home (I got the voice clip of it.). I loved to hear the words of an Apostle, and the fact that he is the head of the missionary committee for the Church made it so much more inspiring.
We are still teaching the U. family, who are learning about Church. They don't have much background in religion, but they for sure see the need for it right now in their life. They are the family that came and talked to our Bishop about their daughter. I really like them a lot and they are progressing towards baptism.
We also picked up a awesome contact a few weeks ago named Nicole. She is from TN and is really good friends with one of our ward missionaries. We have another lesson with her tonight and so I'm super excited to keep moving forward with her too!
I also got a new hero last night. This girl, Kealohalani (I've mentioned her before) is my hero. She is 8, and for whatever reason decided she wanted to get baptized. Because of this desire her grandparents are now reactivated. Her father is about to start coming back to Church, and her to be step mom is getting ready for baptism. It's amazing the pure motives of a child and the example that can be set.
Elder Perry told us that we needed to start teaching 20 sit down lessons a week! As it is, we probably teach 7-10 and so Elder Davis and I are looking forward to that! The member work is about to boom, which is how it should be! Preach My Gospel was designed to bridge the gap between the ward and the missionary program. I love how it really does do that and how it's becoming the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's not the Church and the missionary program, but as we "perfect the saints, we proclaim the Gospel."
I love this work and seeing it change lives. We talk to so many people on the streets and in passing that seem to have a sense of dispair. We ask them, "Do you know that you have a loving Heavenly Father?" and then we get to testify. After that we ask, "Do you know that your loving Heavenly Father has a plan, especially for you, to return and live with him again?" We get a second chance to testify before setting an appointment. Elder Kikuchi instructed us to contact like this, and it's amazing to see the light that clicks and the dispair flee at the testimony of truth. More often then not, they turn us away, but there is always a seed of faith that is planted. I love this work. Time seems to fly by. Having already passed through a transfer is mind boggling, but it's motivating. That is six weeks less that I have to serve, so for the next 14 periods of 6 weeks, I must serve with all my heart, might, mind and soul.
Thanks for your support. Thanks for the letters. Thanks for the emails and the encouragment. I love hearing from everyone and I really enjoy sharing these experiences. I pray every day for those at home and those who are so precious to me. I love you all, and I'll hear from you soon.
Elder Hitchcock
Friday, February 6, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Russell's Email 1-29-09
*Sister/Editor note: I am a little behind in posting Russell's emails. I will be posting one more this week, after we hear from him on Thursday.
Hey everyone,
This week was another great week for missionary work. I am having so much fun here in Henderson and I really love seeing the work progress. I love seeing the changes that people make, but I continue to see the Lord's hands in the work, and that I am just the instrument.
So last night we were teaching this 8 year old who wants to get baptized. Kealohalani got her grandparents to come back to Church and her inactive father and his girlfriend have been attending the lessons. Part way through the lesson last night, we talked to Kea about baptism and then a tought came to me, "John 14:26." After reading Galations 5 about the fruits of the Spirit, we read John 14:26 and I took at the parents and I said, "Jonna, one thing I have learned on my mission is to follow impressions. Do these scriptures describe the way you have felt as we have taught?" She looked sheepish and with a "I don't want to admit it" look, she said "yes." I looked at her boyfriend Tom (Kea's dad) and he shook his head also. I said, "Jonna, will you prepare yourself to be baptized, and Tom, will you prepare yourself to come back to the Church?" It was awesome....
Another story, on the flip side, shows the fight against this work. The other day we were having a lesson with the U. family (family of 4) and half way through the first vision, the dog went crazy over nothing and you could feel opposition. Soon after, just as with Joseph Smith, when Heavenly Father said, "Joseph, this is my beloved son, hear him." The only feeling remaining in the room was the Spirit.
We also have had some great lessons with ward missionaries lately. A neat couple attended the U. lesson with us, and then the W. family has given us two referrals that have turned out very promising. I know one of them wants to get baptized, and that the other is very sincere in her interest. To quote her, she said, "I don't want to raise my boys to be men, I want them to be men of God." We are teaching her again tonight, and I think we will open up with the story of the Strippling Warriors.
I love my mission. It's absolutely amazing to think it has already been almost a whole transfer. This work is the greatest work on the face of the earth and it will continue to roll forth. I love serving each day and seeing people's days be brightened not because of me, but because of the message we are sharing.
I love you all. Thanks for your prayers and the help I get.
Elder Hitchcock
Russell's Email 1-22-09
Everyone at home,
This week has been the most amazing so far! The past weeks have really proved to be a refiners fire and now Elder Davis and I are reaping the blessings of diligence and endurance.
A few things I have learned, number 1, my hair CAN part. (mind boggling I know) 2, The Lord is bound when we do what he says. 3, Love. No one in this world has EVER changed without feeling loved first.
This week is awesome. On Sunday we had 1 potential investigator. Sunday evening we got two referrals, and by Monday afternoon we now have 8 potential baptisms in our ward. Here's the story.
Elder Davis and I taught the Welsh family (Brother Welsh is in the Bishopric). We had told them before that we wanted a name to go and visit so Elisa (15 year old daughter) gave us the name of one of her friends Dean. So the next day she is talking to her friend Carly at school and Elisa says, "I hope Dean doesn't get mad I sent the missionaries." Carly says, "I want the missionaries to come visit me." We will teach Carly with Elisa, and Dean with his really good friend Chris from the ward.
Then Bishop Brant called us and asked us to meet him at the Chapel 15 minutes before the Stake Priesthood meeting. We sat with him and one of the YW leaders in a room and he told us a story that happened during church. A woman and her husband walked in and someone brought them to the bishops office. They were dressed in jeans and t shirts and bishop said his first thought was "Awesome, another walfare case to handle." (apartently the people of vegas work the system hardcore.) but he told us, "I looked at them and then realized they were wearing nice clothes, and that was not the case. They then told me that they were really struggling with their daughter and they always remembered the Mormon kids from school being such great kids. They want her to get involved in the young womens program. Then they wanted to include their son also." Well, turns out that now every Sunday and Wednesday is now for Church activites and us. They are a family of four!!!!
THEN! A recent covert took her friend to church. This friend saw a picture of the first vision and just broke down crying. Cecil and her 2 kids are starting the lessons TONIGHT! All of these referrals are really serious and "golden opporunities." I'll keep ya posted.
I love this work. It's awesome. I have seen myself grow as I have gotten to teach those who need the gospel. I want to share my mission goals that I wrote down.
1 Become the missionary/man I want to be.
2 Be a missionary of change. Leave EVERYWHERE better than I found it.
3 Don't just know who Christ is, but Know Jesus Christ.
4 I want to be the missionary who understands the atonement because I myself will do things for others they couldn't do for themselves.
5 Become a missionary that when I come home no one will doubt how I served my mission.
6 (This is the personality of a member who helps us out that I want to be like.) Be a RM that could be home almost a year, thinking about engagement, but would be mistaken for a RM of a month. (haha, hope that makes sense.)
7 Don't loose my greenie fire. I want to be a missionary that could train at the year mark. (President said we have tons of missionaries who train in the last 6 months, and tons who train at 4.5-6 months, but no one really in the middle.) I want to keep my focus so I could be called on to train at any time.
I know this gospel is true. I see the stone cut without hands is picking up speed as it rolls down the mountain. This isn't a worldly work. This isn't a human work. This isn't a temporal work, this is the world of our Heavenly Father.
I heard it said, "Sometimes we believe our Fisher Price compass will lead better than the Lord's Liahona." Let the Spirit guide. "Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, the Spirit is the Key, and Christ is the reason."
I love you. I pray for you.
Elder Russell Christian Hitchcock
This week has been the most amazing so far! The past weeks have really proved to be a refiners fire and now Elder Davis and I are reaping the blessings of diligence and endurance.
A few things I have learned, number 1, my hair CAN part. (mind boggling I know) 2, The Lord is bound when we do what he says. 3, Love. No one in this world has EVER changed without feeling loved first.
This week is awesome. On Sunday we had 1 potential investigator. Sunday evening we got two referrals, and by Monday afternoon we now have 8 potential baptisms in our ward. Here's the story.
Elder Davis and I taught the Welsh family (Brother Welsh is in the Bishopric). We had told them before that we wanted a name to go and visit so Elisa (15 year old daughter) gave us the name of one of her friends Dean. So the next day she is talking to her friend Carly at school and Elisa says, "I hope Dean doesn't get mad I sent the missionaries." Carly says, "I want the missionaries to come visit me." We will teach Carly with Elisa, and Dean with his really good friend Chris from the ward.
Then Bishop Brant called us and asked us to meet him at the Chapel 15 minutes before the Stake Priesthood meeting. We sat with him and one of the YW leaders in a room and he told us a story that happened during church. A woman and her husband walked in and someone brought them to the bishops office. They were dressed in jeans and t shirts and bishop said his first thought was "Awesome, another walfare case to handle." (apartently the people of vegas work the system hardcore.) but he told us, "I looked at them and then realized they were wearing nice clothes, and that was not the case. They then told me that they were really struggling with their daughter and they always remembered the Mormon kids from school being such great kids. They want her to get involved in the young womens program. Then they wanted to include their son also." Well, turns out that now every Sunday and Wednesday is now for Church activites and us. They are a family of four!!!!
THEN! A recent covert took her friend to church. This friend saw a picture of the first vision and just broke down crying. Cecil and her 2 kids are starting the lessons TONIGHT! All of these referrals are really serious and "golden opporunities." I'll keep ya posted.
I love this work. It's awesome. I have seen myself grow as I have gotten to teach those who need the gospel. I want to share my mission goals that I wrote down.
1 Become the missionary/man I want to be.
2 Be a missionary of change. Leave EVERYWHERE better than I found it.
3 Don't just know who Christ is, but Know Jesus Christ.
4 I want to be the missionary who understands the atonement because I myself will do things for others they couldn't do for themselves.
5 Become a missionary that when I come home no one will doubt how I served my mission.
6 (This is the personality of a member who helps us out that I want to be like.) Be a RM that could be home almost a year, thinking about engagement, but would be mistaken for a RM of a month. (haha, hope that makes sense.)
7 Don't loose my greenie fire. I want to be a missionary that could train at the year mark. (President said we have tons of missionaries who train in the last 6 months, and tons who train at 4.5-6 months, but no one really in the middle.) I want to keep my focus so I could be called on to train at any time.
I know this gospel is true. I see the stone cut without hands is picking up speed as it rolls down the mountain. This isn't a worldly work. This isn't a human work. This isn't a temporal work, this is the world of our Heavenly Father.
I heard it said, "Sometimes we believe our Fisher Price compass will lead better than the Lord's Liahona." Let the Spirit guide. "Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, the Spirit is the Key, and Christ is the reason."
I love you. I pray for you.
Elder Russell Christian Hitchcock
Monday, January 19, 2009
Russell's Email 1-15-09
I have to start by complaining for a second. I don't like technology sometimes. I just lost an email. Blasted Novel.... Oh well.
Okay, so round two. This week has been nothing short of amazing. I want so badly to have my other email here so I can share all these things, but I will try again.
This week was really good. I had an exchange yesterday with Elder Barclay who came here to do a baptism interview. We had a fantastic day. First off, we had a baptism interview for Serenity . She is a 9 year old from a fully active family and has a brother about to go on his mission. How she wasn't baptized, I don't know. We have her baptism for Saturday.
We also taught our investigator, Katerina. It was a really good experience to teach her. She has a lot of sketchy stuff in her life and she was expressing some concerns so we taught her about prayer. As we taught, we prayed with her and then had her pray. Hearing her pray was really neat. Some of the things she said I thought, "Did she REALLY just say that???" But as she prayed, I realized those really were the things in her heart and I felt the Spirit.
We had a special appointment that bailed on us, but we went to talk to him anyway. This is the powerful message of the lesson, The Lord is ALWAYS mindful of his children. I'll tell you the story.
Sometimes missionaries keep super crummy records. We came across this record of a man named Don. He had been taught, set for baptism, and then it just all stopped and there was no reason for why. Elder Davis and I decided, "this week we are going to find Don ." Well, about 4 hours later, we got a phone call from another missionary in a different zone, Elder Kerr. He told us this story and gave us a referral.
"I was riding my bike on the wrong side of the road and thought, "I shouldn't be over here." I crossed and about 20 seconds later I ran into this guy. He said, "I was hoping you were going to stop and talk to me. I was almost baptized but I had an addiction problem. I'm clean now and I want to take the lessons."
We received the referral to go and teach Don. It's true, Heavenly Father loves all his children and knows what is best, and when it is right. I'll never forget that experience.
Also, it happened yesterday. I contacted someone..... ON MY BIKE. We were riding to our dinner appointment and there was a man behind me on his bike. We let him catch us and started talking to him. As we talked we learned a little more about Rick. We have an appoinment with him and will let you know how it goes. I think he could be ready with his family. He said he was looking for Church and had seen our church up on the hill. I am excited.
The pictures are funny. Elder Davis and I made the pond for a wedding reception, and we were proud of it. The scarry one is Elder Ramos, my Zone leader. The other is a 30 inch pizaa, and yes, we ate the whole thing. And.... the other is the airport!
Gotta, go, sorry this one is shorter.
Elder Hitchcock
Okay, so round two. This week has been nothing short of amazing. I want so badly to have my other email here so I can share all these things, but I will try again.
This week was really good. I had an exchange yesterday with Elder Barclay who came here to do a baptism interview. We had a fantastic day. First off, we had a baptism interview for Serenity . She is a 9 year old from a fully active family and has a brother about to go on his mission. How she wasn't baptized, I don't know. We have her baptism for Saturday.
We also taught our investigator, Katerina. It was a really good experience to teach her. She has a lot of sketchy stuff in her life and she was expressing some concerns so we taught her about prayer. As we taught, we prayed with her and then had her pray. Hearing her pray was really neat. Some of the things she said I thought, "Did she REALLY just say that???" But as she prayed, I realized those really were the things in her heart and I felt the Spirit.
We had a special appointment that bailed on us, but we went to talk to him anyway. This is the powerful message of the lesson, The Lord is ALWAYS mindful of his children. I'll tell you the story.
Sometimes missionaries keep super crummy records. We came across this record of a man named Don. He had been taught, set for baptism, and then it just all stopped and there was no reason for why. Elder Davis and I decided, "this week we are going to find Don ." Well, about 4 hours later, we got a phone call from another missionary in a different zone, Elder Kerr. He told us this story and gave us a referral.
"I was riding my bike on the wrong side of the road and thought, "I shouldn't be over here." I crossed and about 20 seconds later I ran into this guy. He said, "I was hoping you were going to stop and talk to me. I was almost baptized but I had an addiction problem. I'm clean now and I want to take the lessons."
We received the referral to go and teach Don. It's true, Heavenly Father loves all his children and knows what is best, and when it is right. I'll never forget that experience.
Also, it happened yesterday. I contacted someone..... ON MY BIKE. We were riding to our dinner appointment and there was a man behind me on his bike. We let him catch us and started talking to him. As we talked we learned a little more about Rick. We have an appoinment with him and will let you know how it goes. I think he could be ready with his family. He said he was looking for Church and had seen our church up on the hill. I am excited.
The pictures are funny. Elder Davis and I made the pond for a wedding reception, and we were proud of it. The scarry one is Elder Ramos, my Zone leader. The other is a 30 inch pizaa, and yes, we ate the whole thing. And.... the other is the airport!
Gotta, go, sorry this one is shorter.
Elder Hitchcock
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Week 3: 1-8-09
Things in my area are picking up so much. My first week we lucked into teaching 3 other lessons (an other lesson is two princiles taught, and a pray (if possible.)) So we did 3 other lessons my first week, and now we are teaching more than 20 a week! We are still looking for those to bring into the Church, and we are focusing more than ever on teaching the members so we can receive referrals. I am sure we will being to see those who are ready soon.
I have had some super neat experiences, from being cussed out by an old man in a walker to seeing prayers being answered. I really enjoy serving the Lord.
In Las Vegas we have a unique program called Truth Restored. We have billboards and business cards that have pictures on them with "The Truth about life's great questions is now restored" and the mormon.org website on the back. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome! Apartently, it's kind of dieing out because we were a testing ground for the Church, but I was talking to my grandfather (my trainers trainer) and he said, "I was losing truth restored, but what you just said brought a whole new perspective to it." When I give out a card, I try to pick one out for each person and I tell them that. "Sir, this card has a picture of a daughter with her father. I see that you are with your daughter at the park, and I can tell you realize the importance of that relationship. Before I came on my mission, I lived with my sister and brother-in-law after they had twins and a two year old! I really began to realize the importance of family and I wanted to share how this gospel can bless your family like it has mine." Those who were not receptive at first can rarely shoot down such a statement.
Another thing my companion and I are doing is called "Day by the way" or "Day of Valor." This is another program that is dieing in the mission, but it really awesome! Basically, people tell you "I'm not interested." Day by the way, or day of Valor, gives us an opportunity to account for those who choose not to listen to us. The object is to talk to ten people throughout the day and try to share the gospel with them or talk to them about eternal things. It's a really neat program.
While are area is still slower as far as investigators go, it is for sure picking up pace. Elder Davis and I are working harder than ever and really getting a lot more done. The members are becoming more involved and the work is moving forward. Each night we account for our key indicators (numbers that help us reflect on how effective we are) and then we update our weekly goal board. I look at it and I can only think about the Standard of Truth.
Well............ That's about it for the time being.
OH! We have a baptism on the 17th! There is a totally active Samoan family who has a 9 year old daughter that.... just never got baptized. So, we lucked into a baptism. Teaching her (Serenity) is a really neat experience because we have to teach how Preach My Gospel is worded, as simple and basic as possible. That's where the truth power is.
I know this Church is true, and I am learning new things each and every day. It is no wonder in my mind that Heavenly Father loves each of his children and that the Plan of Salvation is the way for us to have joy. I know it's true!
Elder Hitchcock
I have had some super neat experiences, from being cussed out by an old man in a walker to seeing prayers being answered. I really enjoy serving the Lord.
In Las Vegas we have a unique program called Truth Restored. We have billboards and business cards that have pictures on them with "The Truth about life's great questions is now restored" and the mormon.org website on the back. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome! Apartently, it's kind of dieing out because we were a testing ground for the Church, but I was talking to my grandfather (my trainers trainer) and he said, "I was losing truth restored, but what you just said brought a whole new perspective to it." When I give out a card, I try to pick one out for each person and I tell them that. "Sir, this card has a picture of a daughter with her father. I see that you are with your daughter at the park, and I can tell you realize the importance of that relationship. Before I came on my mission, I lived with my sister and brother-in-law after they had twins and a two year old! I really began to realize the importance of family and I wanted to share how this gospel can bless your family like it has mine." Those who were not receptive at first can rarely shoot down such a statement.
Another thing my companion and I are doing is called "Day by the way" or "Day of Valor." This is another program that is dieing in the mission, but it really awesome! Basically, people tell you "I'm not interested." Day by the way, or day of Valor, gives us an opportunity to account for those who choose not to listen to us. The object is to talk to ten people throughout the day and try to share the gospel with them or talk to them about eternal things. It's a really neat program.
While are area is still slower as far as investigators go, it is for sure picking up pace. Elder Davis and I are working harder than ever and really getting a lot more done. The members are becoming more involved and the work is moving forward. Each night we account for our key indicators (numbers that help us reflect on how effective we are) and then we update our weekly goal board. I look at it and I can only think about the Standard of Truth.
Well............ That's about it for the time being.
OH! We have a baptism on the 17th! There is a totally active Samoan family who has a 9 year old daughter that.... just never got baptized. So, we lucked into a baptism. Teaching her (Serenity) is a really neat experience because we have to teach how Preach My Gospel is worded, as simple and basic as possible. That's where the truth power is.
I know this Church is true, and I am learning new things each and every day. It is no wonder in my mind that Heavenly Father loves each of his children and that the Plan of Salvation is the way for us to have joy. I know it's true!
Elder Hitchcock
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Russell's Email 1-1-09
Wow, I wish I could explain how the mission is! But, as Nephi says, It sufficieth me to say IT'S ROCKIN!
So my teaching area is in Henderson Nevada, on the east side of the valley. It's a really richy area, and is known for it's little success. Last month the zone baptized only 9 people, which is kinda low for here. Anyway.... I love it here!
My first week was major adjustment for both my companion and I. Elder Davis was on a special assignment last transfer with a missionary who didn't get along with many people. So he didn't work much, and going through the process of reworking everything has taken some time. Our numbers were really crumby last week, but on Monday alone, we exceeded everything we had done the week previously. It was amazing, and the work is continuing to go forth.
A neat experience. Elder Davis (my trainer) gave me the phone and told me it was mine for the day. I wanted to tell the Primary President we would come visit her in the evening to recieve 5 names of less active, part member, or referrals that evening. She said, "I can give them to you now!" So we took them down and we were walking to an appointment when we decided to stop and see one of them.
So, rewind to leaving the apartment. We prayed for someone to teach and asked that we could be an answer to someones prayers. As we stopped to see her, she opened the door and was leaving as we arrived. We spoke for a few minutes and turned that interaction to a "referral received, referral contacted, other lesson taught, and investigator." As we walked off, she said, "you are an answer to my prayers." Can you say aMaZiNg? I witnessed it.
I can't help but think of the Standard of Truth often. I love the words of the Prophet Jospeh. They ring true, and the Spirit testifies to me each time we talk to someone.
I love this quote, it reads, "Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, the Spirit is the key, and Christ is the reason." I have it on my planner and see it often. This is truly the work of the Lord.
Congrats on taking the missionaries to dinner. Your willingness is for sure blessing me. I have not bought a single bit of food. We have been fed every single night and, after doing some service, a member said, "let's go to the grocery store. You have 15 minutes, and 15 items each." Yeah... I'm being blessed by that willingness. The members here are really amazing. As for [a person that recently "bashed" with the missionaries in our parents' ward] though, oh well. People want to bash, and missionaries get out. That's how we work.
Elder Kikuchi came about a month before I got here and gave some awesome training. One of the things he adjusted were the contacts we made on the street. we are supposed to ask, "Did you know that you have a loving Heavenly Father who knows you personally?" "Did you know that he has a plan for you individually to return to him?" "Will tonight at 7 or tomorrow at 7 be a better time to share more of this plan that has been revleaved?" If they say no, then they have not been prepared. You thank them, testify, and find someone who is ready. I love it.
The work is great, and I am excited. Elder Kikuchi made a promise before I came. He said, "If a new missionary will baptize in his first transfer, he will baptize in each one after." That's our goal. And the work is slow in this area so the Zone is fasting to find new investigators through our efforts, and for members to give us referrals. Would you fast the rest of today and support our Zone in this work? I know that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers of our fast because in the Pre-Earth Life he lost 1/3 of his children. Is there any doubt he would answer the prayers of his servants so that we can help to bring the other 2/3 back to him? I promise that we will succeed in this work, but I promise in the Savior's name that if you will help support, that the work will speed up faster. The field is white, already to harvest, in the east, and in the west. From the rolling hills of TN to the deseret of Las Vegas.
I hope to hear from you soon. I love you all and I am thankful for the support you give me. I was really excited to hear about your Christmas, and to speak to you then. I cannot wait to hear back from you.
Elder Russell Hitchcock
So my teaching area is in Henderson Nevada, on the east side of the valley. It's a really richy area, and is known for it's little success. Last month the zone baptized only 9 people, which is kinda low for here. Anyway.... I love it here!
My first week was major adjustment for both my companion and I. Elder Davis was on a special assignment last transfer with a missionary who didn't get along with many people. So he didn't work much, and going through the process of reworking everything has taken some time. Our numbers were really crumby last week, but on Monday alone, we exceeded everything we had done the week previously. It was amazing, and the work is continuing to go forth.
A neat experience. Elder Davis (my trainer) gave me the phone and told me it was mine for the day. I wanted to tell the Primary President we would come visit her in the evening to recieve 5 names of less active, part member, or referrals that evening. She said, "I can give them to you now!" So we took them down and we were walking to an appointment when we decided to stop and see one of them.
So, rewind to leaving the apartment. We prayed for someone to teach and asked that we could be an answer to someones prayers. As we stopped to see her, she opened the door and was leaving as we arrived. We spoke for a few minutes and turned that interaction to a "referral received, referral contacted, other lesson taught, and investigator." As we walked off, she said, "you are an answer to my prayers." Can you say aMaZiNg? I witnessed it.
I can't help but think of the Standard of Truth often. I love the words of the Prophet Jospeh. They ring true, and the Spirit testifies to me each time we talk to someone.
I love this quote, it reads, "Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, the Spirit is the key, and Christ is the reason." I have it on my planner and see it often. This is truly the work of the Lord.
Congrats on taking the missionaries to dinner. Your willingness is for sure blessing me. I have not bought a single bit of food. We have been fed every single night and, after doing some service, a member said, "let's go to the grocery store. You have 15 minutes, and 15 items each." Yeah... I'm being blessed by that willingness. The members here are really amazing. As for [a person that recently "bashed" with the missionaries in our parents' ward] though, oh well. People want to bash, and missionaries get out. That's how we work.
Elder Kikuchi came about a month before I got here and gave some awesome training. One of the things he adjusted were the contacts we made on the street. we are supposed to ask, "Did you know that you have a loving Heavenly Father who knows you personally?" "Did you know that he has a plan for you individually to return to him?" "Will tonight at 7 or tomorrow at 7 be a better time to share more of this plan that has been revleaved?" If they say no, then they have not been prepared. You thank them, testify, and find someone who is ready. I love it.
The work is great, and I am excited. Elder Kikuchi made a promise before I came. He said, "If a new missionary will baptize in his first transfer, he will baptize in each one after." That's our goal. And the work is slow in this area so the Zone is fasting to find new investigators through our efforts, and for members to give us referrals. Would you fast the rest of today and support our Zone in this work? I know that the Lord will hear and answer the prayers of our fast because in the Pre-Earth Life he lost 1/3 of his children. Is there any doubt he would answer the prayers of his servants so that we can help to bring the other 2/3 back to him? I promise that we will succeed in this work, but I promise in the Savior's name that if you will help support, that the work will speed up faster. The field is white, already to harvest, in the east, and in the west. From the rolling hills of TN to the deseret of Las Vegas.
I hope to hear from you soon. I love you all and I am thankful for the support you give me. I was really excited to hear about your Christmas, and to speak to you then. I cannot wait to hear back from you.
Elder Russell Hitchcock
Russell's Email 12-15-08
I can't reply to everyones email so I will write and send you all a group one!
Thanks so much for your letters and all your encouragement! The MTC is so amazing and I love it. I'm not going to lie, it scares me that next week I will be leaving the MTC and traveling to Vegas.
Everyone note, I will be flying out on Monday the 22 and I will be at the SLC airport around 8 mountain time. I will also be calling sometime on Christmas, so everyone be expecting it please :)
Things here are so wonderful (except this key board is totally awful!) On Sunday during leadership meetings my branch president came in and asked my companion and I to grab our jackets and come with him. We sat down in front of the branch presidency and he said, "You two Elders have been called as our new distrcit leaders." (Note, we were called, not given a choice.) That was really neat and we will serve for one week (ie until we leave). After learning of our duties we have interviews as missionaries do each week in the MTC. Brother Stacy, a member of the branch presidency interviewed me and told me this. He said, "I want to share with you my feelings on this calling. As we prayed and spoke about who should replace the zone leaders, the thoughts and names of Elder Hitchcock and Van Etten kept coming back. I know you were called for many reasons, but one reason I believe was this is the Lord's way of saying how your repentance was acceptable." That was music to my ears and I had a burning confirmation that was true. It have given me some amazing courage to keep doing what I am doing!
I also have an awesome opportunity coming up tomorrow. My district was asked to particiapte in a training with some of the Missionary Department so they could observe the teaching here at the MTC. We talked about it, and we were told we could end up teaching Elder Holland and Perry, and other members and general authorities from the missionary department. Holy SCARY! I mention this to Brother Stacy after his commment and he smiled and said, "It will be more intimidating to teach someone whose soul still hangs in the balance." I thought that was a super good insight!
Things are going really well, and I am really happy. I am teaching so much more and I feelt the spirit teaching through me. I have come to love Preach My Gospel and I want to be a Preach My Gospel missionary. The Lord has blessed me so much, and helped to uplift me. I have come to love all the words of How Firm a Foundation, especially the last verse. it goes,
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endever to shake,
I'll never no never, no never forsake.
This gospel is true, I love it.
Haley, I cannot receive pictures.
I love you, and I pray for you often.
Elder Babycakes!
3 Nephi 9:14
I love this scripture, everyone should memorize it!
Thanks so much for your letters and all your encouragement! The MTC is so amazing and I love it. I'm not going to lie, it scares me that next week I will be leaving the MTC and traveling to Vegas.
Everyone note, I will be flying out on Monday the 22 and I will be at the SLC airport around 8 mountain time. I will also be calling sometime on Christmas, so everyone be expecting it please :)
Things here are so wonderful (except this key board is totally awful!) On Sunday during leadership meetings my branch president came in and asked my companion and I to grab our jackets and come with him. We sat down in front of the branch presidency and he said, "You two Elders have been called as our new distrcit leaders." (Note, we were called, not given a choice.) That was really neat and we will serve for one week (ie until we leave). After learning of our duties we have interviews as missionaries do each week in the MTC. Brother Stacy, a member of the branch presidency interviewed me and told me this. He said, "I want to share with you my feelings on this calling. As we prayed and spoke about who should replace the zone leaders, the thoughts and names of Elder Hitchcock and Van Etten kept coming back. I know you were called for many reasons, but one reason I believe was this is the Lord's way of saying how your repentance was acceptable." That was music to my ears and I had a burning confirmation that was true. It have given me some amazing courage to keep doing what I am doing!
I also have an awesome opportunity coming up tomorrow. My district was asked to particiapte in a training with some of the Missionary Department so they could observe the teaching here at the MTC. We talked about it, and we were told we could end up teaching Elder Holland and Perry, and other members and general authorities from the missionary department. Holy SCARY! I mention this to Brother Stacy after his commment and he smiled and said, "It will be more intimidating to teach someone whose soul still hangs in the balance." I thought that was a super good insight!
Things are going really well, and I am really happy. I am teaching so much more and I feelt the spirit teaching through me. I have come to love Preach My Gospel and I want to be a Preach My Gospel missionary. The Lord has blessed me so much, and helped to uplift me. I have come to love all the words of How Firm a Foundation, especially the last verse. it goes,
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endever to shake,
I'll never no never, no never forsake.
This gospel is true, I love it.
Haley, I cannot receive pictures.
I love you, and I pray for you often.
Elder Babycakes!
3 Nephi 9:14
I love this scripture, everyone should memorize it!
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