Missing my Missionary!

Hello everyone! This transfer is honestly flying by faster than any other one. Wait didn't I say that about last transfer? Haha idk week 4 done! This week was pretty rough on the teaching but was still a good week!  Nothing big happened actually, just kindof  the normal routine.  I forgot my journal so here's the best of my memory of the previous week haha

Monday: we had a district activity where we just went to the park and played basketball, volleyball, ate donuts and talked.  It was pretty fun.  Anything out doors in normal clothes for missionaries usually means a good time! Haha there acouple of gamers in my district so one of them talked about his favorite video game for like forever.  He's a really good story teller so it was actually really entertaining.  After we stopped by a few members one of which is a recovering drug addict that has kicked all of it and is now active in church and is trying to kick smoking.  So we stopped by him checked up on him and shared a message.  Pretty cool story he has.  Stopped by an investigator who is now at the point of just trying to gain a testimony.  Nice family and had a lot of lds influence.  The wife's whole family is lds but she refuses to really even give it a chance, but hopefully we can help him out!

Tuesday: we had our first district meeting of the transfer and it's already like more than half way done haha.  There are just so many meetings that happened instead of if.  I use the iPads and send the notes and topics for district meeting to everyone, but the zone leaders decided to do iPad check during my district meeting. So nobody had scriptures, PMG, or my notes because they are on the iPads.. Haha so that was kindof dumb.  But it went well. My district is pretty cool. Some are really quiet while others love to joke during it.  Supposed to have a district leader meeting after but the zone leaders got caught up. Up didn't tell us so we just sat there for a while waiting wondering where are they. Eventually we just all left and told them we would do it another day haha. In the afternoon we actually made a giant list of everyone in the ward and typed up a little about them and now we and future missionaries will have that to reference.  That evening we actually knocked on a door of a former investigator of mine from my first area! He moved and now I got transferred into his area. No such thing as coincidence there! Haha

Wednesday: we volunteered at the local food bank for a few hours! It was pretty fun helping out there and creating the meal packages.  At one point everyone had to leave that was working in the back except us so we were kindof stuck running the back part of the food bank by ourselves haha. We went taught a few lessons outside because people are just out loving the weather! We went and tracted in the really rich part of our area.  Some funny no's but nothing to out of the ordinary.  Then had dinner with a part member family who are all awesome.  The dad is an ex-navy seal and really doesn't care for the whole religion thing in general. I can imagine he's seen a lot in his day.  Went on splits with members of the ward visiting a few people and that took most of the evening

Thursday:  we biked all day because of the limited miles.  It seems like there are those days when you go through the same list of people and nothing ever changes.  They either aren't home, or to busy but say we can come back or don't have the courage to say no to us.  I would rather them say no thank you than us showing up them not being there and it waiting our time.  Especially if we have members out with us, because you want to make that the most productive part.  We got a call to help a young couple move so we went over and did that for a while.  They had a lot of stuff that's for sure.  Then I actually skyped Robert cottingham! I've been trying to set that up and trying to align our schedules! We caught up for a little bit, and joked around. We talked about religion and the mission for a bit.  It was pretty sweet! I've been trying to set that up with others as well!

Friday: let's see was weekly planning we had a little meeting for district leaders after and then took lunch and those stuff.  To be honest I forgot what happened mostly this day.  I know we stuck out on a lot of doors. Everytime we get members out with us nobody is home or cancels appointments pretty frustrating.  

Saturday: was a day of service,  we went and helped a couple move into a house with the other elders we live with! I love moving people, it's like a good work out and you just feel good after getting everything out of a moving truck and into a home situated! Then went to their area and helped move in an old lady which happened to be a lady who was had moved into the Tempe rural ward! So we helped her move and there was a bunch of members from my old ward there so I got to say hello and catch up! Then we got asked to go give a blessing so we went got a member and gave a lady who is fighting breast cancer a blessing.  She turned out to be a member. It's pretty crazy how many people are members but they just kindof floats around with no records following them,  we find them all the time and the ward has no idea they exist. 

Sunday: we had church and taught gospel principles. It was on prophets and I think it went really well! It seemed to flow well, people participated and there was actually a few people there that weren't members so I was glad we had the turn to teach.  We then had PEC after church which went way long but i think I'm finally getting to know all the names, people focused on etc. The leadership of this ward are studs! But if only we could get the rest of the ward to have the same fire. we have started the family mission plans with people so hopefully that gets people missionary minded! That's pretty much all we did the Sunday!

That was my week!  Not to much to report! Sounds like everyone is freezing their butt off! Haha sorry to hear that! Sorry to give everyone a scare with the crazy dude. It sounded worse than it actually was haha but still pretty crazy stuff! 

Gotta go love you! 

Faithfully,

Elder Hemsley

Successful Week!

Well that completes another transfer! This last week was super busy
but awesome! Bishop And Sister Morris are the best! She loves to take
pictures haha.  I'm glad you got them! Well for some reason transfer
calls aren't going to happen until Tuesday, so not sure what is up for
that.  I just got here so I hope I stay but Elder Smith has been here
for 4 1/2 months so I wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved. But also
since this is our first transfer we should be alright!

Like I said this week was pretty busy!

Monday: we had the normal routine.  Since the other Elders rely on us
to get around that day it's sometimes makes our day pretty busy.  So
we went and drove them to get hair cuts since one of them is going
home so he needed a nice cut before he leaves haha.  Then we shopped,
etc. We went bowling, which was fun! We showed up at the place and it
was really expensive so everyone was like lets go to a different one,
well we drove the other Elders who are part of another zone and they
were bowling there to. So we had to leave the car with them, and wait
for another set of missionaries pick us up since there was no room in
the cars. Soo by the time we got there everyone had started with out
us and we ended up getting to play 2 games compared to everyone who
got like 4.. That was kindof dumb.  The. That night YSA is nice
because of FHE we show up and it is frisbee dodgeball.  People
chucking frisbee at each other in the gym.  We meth with our
investigator Seth who is getting baptized to and he's all set!

Tuesday: we had district meeting.  A few people in my district got
sick, so it ended up being like 4 people in district meeting haha but
no worries! I trained on recognizing the Holy Ghost.  It went pretty
well! We had a lesson with Zedong our Chinese investigator.  He is so
awesome and just has a hard time understanding religion in general.
He always ends up asking what if this or what if that questions. Then
in the evening we had sets baptismal interview done by the ZLs and
Seth passed with flying colors! He gets baptized the next day! We then
just visited some less active members that weren't to friendly but
thats ok haha!

Wednesday:  was interviews! So we had a bunch of training done by our
technology guy, the zone leaders, sister training leaders, and APs.
It was all really good but kindof long at times.  Got to interview
with president! It's like the only time you get to be one on one! So
if you don't have questions to ask him it goes by really fast.  I
asked about making district meetings because I feel like people have
all heard is stuff many times before. So he gave me some advice but
also said to not worry about that to much!  That took most of the day
up. At dinner we got a distress call from the sisters because someone
needed a blessing so luckily we were having dinner with one of my
favorite members who was like go dudes! So we left did that and came
back and finished eating.  Then we had to rush to go fill the font and
prep for the baptism! It was like a flawless baptism! Speakers were
great, no mess ups! The spirit was so strong there! Serbs family got
to be there who aren't members so it was awesome! Idk if sister Morris
sent those photos so I will!

Thursday: we met in the morning with a returning to activity member
who is such a cool dude and we always get super deep with him haha.
That ran pretty long, so after we did that we had to rush to the
institute to have a lesson with Seth now that he's baptized! He's so
awesome! We taught about the priesthood and are helping him work to
receive that!  That night was the night we went to dinner with bishop
and all the Chinese members and investigators! It was so fun! We ate
so much food, and I even had jelly fish because one of the Chinese
members ordered it! It's hilarious being around them sometimes! The
one to my left in the video is Zedong and he's the one we are
teaching! So we have to admit at took a long time and by then there
wasn't much time to do anything else haha

Friday: we had weekly planning and planned for week one of transfer 6!
Wow! We met with Zedong again! We meet with him a bunch cuz he really
wants to learn.  He committed to baptism but just won't set a date yet
and still have about a million questions.  YSA can be tough at times
because we have a hard time filling out our days with productive,
efficient things because if not we end up burning tons of our limited
miles! Well after eating at the Chinese place yesterday, one of the
older couples in the ward took us out to none other than Panda Express
haha. Reminds me of the good ole days of byu! That night we had a
member come out with us, idk if I mentioned this but he served in
Jason's ward when Jason was the ward mission leader. His name is cole
Baxter and he is such a stud! We taught a lesson in star bucks to a
less active.  Kindof weird teaching a guy who works at Starbucks as
missionaries. But he came to church after we talked to him which was
sweet!

Saturday: another busy day! We had two baptisms today one from our
ward that the sisters had and another from our district. The first was
a Chinese man named Jonny.  His baptism was small but really amazing
he's got the biggest heart on the planet! He during his testimony in
his little English thanked all of us and then said he feels like God
is here today and he turns to his right and says thank you Heavenly
Father for everything. It was sooo sick! Then we went to another
baptism where we took Zedong to.  There were so many people were
there! Holy cow we could barely fit in the baptismal room! It to was
freaking awesome! The spirit in both were so powerful! Gotta love
baptisms!

Sunday: we had meetings in the morning and after church.  We have been
putting a lot of effort into this one less active who said he would be
at church again, but didn't show. But church was awesome! Yet another
linger longer with more food! Singles wards... Haha So many new people
because of the new semester  and everyone is getting back from their
missions! We taught two lessons at once elder smith and I split up and
went with a member to teach them.  Both went well and hopefully will
turn into them being new investigators.  Then that night we stopped by
the less active we tried to get to church and read the Book of Mormon
with him.  He's got a bad situation going on back home but still he
needs to act something he refuses to do.  Then after that it was stats
night and sent in the numbers!

That was my week busy busy haha but great! I should stay another
transfer but you never know! Hopefully I do because I'm loving it
here! Anything else cool and new and exciting happenings? That's crazy
elder Anderson is home! I will have to FB him! Haha 

Love you all!

Faithfully,
Elder Hemsley

Ward Luau and a Baptism!

Well this was a pretty eventful week! I will go ahead and just start
off with I am getting transferred.  Don't know where yet but Thursday
I will be in a new area.  I also got a district leader call.  I was
sitting waiting for the zl's to call if I was leaving instead
president toone calls haha.  He calls all the leadership positions so
when I saw that I was like here we go! Haha I'm super excited but at
the same time feeling a little bit of inadequacy about it! We also had
our baptism this Saturday! It went great! So we helped hit the ward
goal for the year!   So those were the two big things to happen this
week! Pretty exciting!

I haven't gotten the 2nd and 3rd package yet.  I got the pills but I
am worried I won't get them before I leave.  I also have Christmas
gifts for each of you that I am going to try to send home today! So
get pumped! Haha 

The only thing frustrating with leaving is I have worked super hard to
get this area going now we have a bunch of people to work with and 4
on date and now I am leaving😑.  But it's not about me and with
facebook I will get to stay in contact with them!!!

Monday: We just relaxed. I got a hair cut and stuff.  We had a
district activity to go shopping for our Christmas presents to the
family so that took a while.  I got you some pretty sweet gifts.  The
only problem is I am poor so I will have to use the Amex to ship it
all. Sorry😅.  Then after Pday we went and helped this family move
that was getting evicted. Their place was literally turned upside
down.  It took a long time and we cleaned more than moved. After that
we had to come home and wash all of our clothes because the beds we
moved had bed bugs.  And those things are the worst!

Tuesday: we had district meeting. It was a really good one to.  Elder
H did a great job and he was like that was nothing like I
planned.  It went a completely different way about sacrifice and
consecration.  After that we had a lesson with a mom and daughter who
are on date.  They are awesome! We taught the word of wisdom and they
struggle with coffee but they said that they know is is where they
need to be so they are going to give it up.  We then met with a former
member who had his records removed.  He's a cool guy but not
interested at all.  We then had a lesson with a former investigator
who really only wanted destroy our faith by anti'ing us about all the
evils about Joseph smith.  It's interesting because I have no problem
hay disagree with the church even strongly but people that try to
destroy your faith really annoy me.  But he will be a work in
progress. He has faith so that we can work with.

Wednesday:  We went helped someone move in the morning and then in the
afternoon got a call from a guy who wants to change his life around
and wants to join the rest of his family as members. So we went and
taught his family,  the only problem is his family is less active and
really only wants welfare. He hasn't mentioned anything about that but
the rest is like that.  The rest of the day was just finding with not
a lot of success.  We had ward correlation. Which turns into a meeting
where we just sit there and talk about who we are teaching and not
much else gets done.

Thursday: the beginning of the day was kindof unproductive but
finished really strong!  We met with the YSA elders my former zone
leaders! Who are the best! And helped them figure out a bunch of
unknown people in the ysa.  We then met with our ward mission leader
about the baptism Saturday and figured out the program.  We then had a
lesson with another guy on date to be baptized who is stuggling with
smoking.  He's not fully there I think and so he doesn't fully
understand all that baptism entails.  It was a good lesson though.
Our ward members are so awesome.  Perfect fellowship everytime.  Then
taught a part member family.  The daughter can't be baptized until she
is old enough to choose for herself because the mom is catholic and
doesn't want her to.

Friday: We had weekly planning and planned for week one of the new
transfer! Crazy this transfer went by so fast.  We planned but at the
same time people were setting up for our ward party.  We finished
planning early and helped them set up everything. The decorations were
awesome! Hawiann themed.  We had to wait cuz elder H was with us
because Elder U is a visa waiter and leaving but all leaving
missionaries go to the temple with president toone.  So we were
waiting till he got back so we could split back to our areas.  We
taught the part member family who the son wants to turn his life
around.  He just needs more interest.  Then it was time for the ward
party!  It was packed and the food was really good.  We mingled and
then had a bunch of activities. One being real somoan dancers came and
performed and of course they called people from the crowd to come. And
guess who got chosen... The elders woo so we danced in front of the
entire ward.  Haha I have pictures don't worry.

Saturday :  we helped decorate this home for an older couple.
Everything is slow with them so it took a while.  After that we helped
set up for the sisters baptism and then ours too.  We met with
Michelle one last time and then they were set!  We had the baptism .
Great turn out and spiritual.  Only bump was her husband who did the
baptism had no idea how to perform it even after we showed him.
Nervous I guess.  and it was kindof a mess at first it took 4 tries
but he baptized her. Haha but that's ok.  It was great to see everyone
support them and them do it together!

Sunday: last day of church in the ward.  I'm going to miss this ward
so much.  I think for a dieing wish when I'm going home I am going to
ask to come back.  How cool would that be! We had church a few
meetings. Michelle was confirmed.  We had a bunch of investigators at
church! We then we're supposed to have a lesson with a members
boyfriend but he bailed and we got stuck listening to a bunch of women
gossip on what she should do.  Had dinner with our ward mission leader
and then went in for transfer calls. I'm getting transfer and am made
a district leader.  Humbling, exciting, and scary haha.

That was my week!  Love you all!

Faithfully,
Elder Hemsley

Parker Hits the 6 Month Mark!

Hello everyone! It's freaking week six of this transfer??? This went by so fast.  I don't think I have ever had six weeks fly by like they did here.  Well I have about hit my 6 months mark on my mission! That's pretty insane.  That's 1/4th.  Feels like I just got here.  Finally when I start telling people how long I have been out they don't immediately say oh wow your fresh out aren't ya... 

Transfers are next Thursday so the 18th of September.  So if you can get packages to me before that, that would be great , but if not hold up till I get settled.  I haven't gotten a chance to buy new shoes since the card wasn't working and didn't have time on p-day.  Not sure if I will have time today either but I will try.  

Sounds like Ethan's home coming is still in force! And you are putting him and the Elders to work I see! Oh moving houses.  You do that on your mission more than anywhere else.  And I bet he needs all new clothes... It's weird how on your mission normal clothes make you feel weird almost naked, since you get so used to wearing dress clothes haha

 

Let's see my week was pretty good! 

Let's see monday: was the first of December! Wow! Not much happened on P-day. We went shopping. And emailed, the apartment cleaned.  I couldn't get the shoes cuz its hard to bike to the closest store that has stuff.  We played basketball and found some dodge balls in a closet at the church so we played dodgeball. After p-day we had a lesson with a really nice investigator we have been working with. We taught gospel of Jesus Christ and Invited her to be baptized and she was kindof wishy washy.  She still holds deep roots to her catholic upbringing but like most Catholics isn't active in going or in doctrine.  

Tuesday: was district meeting. Elder H was away with President Toone training for zone conference.. So for district meeting one of our ZLs decided to do it.  We were supposed to just split up and go to other districts.  The district leaders weren't to happy that the ZL did there job haha. Elder Udell was with us again for the day in a trio. We had two lessons with investigators and both still want to be baptized which is awesome! Then after that we had a few lessons with Elder U and Elder H's investigators. This transfer has almost been covering 2 wards and one probably needs a car.  Then we spent the rest of the day going to members and sharing "He is the Gift" to them and challenging them to share it with there friends.  

Wednesday: was zone conference! The theme this transfer has been rescuing the falling or seeking out the one whoever that may be.  So going along with that was the theme of war. And since Elder H was in Afghanistan he shared some stories and the Assistants trained on the war in heaven.  And President Toone just kindof rebuked us all. Which is actually really awesome. Because it makes you want to be a better missionary.  Then we had ward correlation in the evening.  Our ward mission leader is a great guy and super into it but goes a little to in depth we we bring him with us.  After that we had a lesson with the Michelle who is going to be baptized soon.  They were a little emotional because of a friend passing away.  

Thursday: Elder Uwas with us for the last time since Elder Haskel was doing his last zone conference in a different zone.  It wasn't the most productive day. We knocked on a bunch of houses and nobody really answered.  We never really go into the gated rich areas because they don't care and all the members there are inactive. But that is where we focused on.  Our dinner was super late which put us behind.  After that we went had a lesson with a lady and her son. Who is Muslim. We need to probably drop them because they aren't interested really.  After that we had a member come with us to this old lady living in the senior living center who is a member that wants to go to the temple. We gave her a blessing and shared a message.  

Friday: was weekly planning! Planned for week six we were set to have two baptism the following Saturday so we planned for that.  After we had exchanges so Haskel came to my area. Haskell and I for lunch decided to treat ourselves to subway.  A member comes up and decides to pay for all of it! So free meal!  We visited a bunch of less actives because our lessons fell through.  We went and to a senior living center to ask for times to volunteer.  We went had dinner with the A family who were also running really late...we then visited a lady and helped set up her Christmas lights which was fun.  And then visited a member who just had surgery and shared a message

Saturday: we had a lesson with the daughter and her mom but they cancelled again third time in arow....we ended our exchange doing service helping a man put up his wall... That was a lot of work.  Then on the way back Elder Hcut me off while biking hit my back tire and I went flying tumbling down the road.  Luckily we weren't on a major road.  But it still hurt a lot.... And scuffed up my arm pretty bad haha.  Met with a guy who isn't to interested but loves to talk religion. Then met with Ronnie who was on date but now since he didn't come to church he can't be baptized this upcoming Saturday .  He also has a problem with word of wisdom.  I did get to chuck his cigarettes away for him which was fun!  

Sunday: only Michelle came to church but I guess she is the most important so she gets to stay on date and is all set! Our gospel principles class gets a little crazy when it our gospel principles teacher starts teaching false doctrine or at least unknow doctrine about heavenly mother....then had ward council which is always fun! Ate dinner with the Andrus family and they had some friends over. Odd how Elder C and I are almost the same age as all them. Could have been a hangout if we weren't missionaries haha.  Then we got to watch the Christmas devotional. Had a lesson with Michelle and that was my week!

Love you all

Faithfully,

Elder Hemsley

Wrapping up & digging in

From Ethan

Hey Mum!  

 

So if we need to we can make this a shorter letter so we can get me registered for everything.  That's kinda on my top priority right now haha. 

 

Anyways, this week was full of its own interesting challenges.  Its proven to be kinda hard to find a vision and a sense of purpose in this ward.  With so little time and so much to do, its tough to make it as personal as I want to.  But we're working hard nonetheless.  Apparently the rumor has spread like wildfire throughout the ward that the two new Elders in the Ward are short timers.  But we're trying to dispel the rumors that we're trunky haha.  Me and Elder A are both committed to working till the last possible minute, but its kinda tough when you're under the kind of bind that we are.  We've talked about it a lot.  Elder A has a really strong testimony of the inspiration of our leaders and that there is always a purpose in what we are asked to do out here.  I agree.  But I also am of the opinion that we don't always have to know the deep meaning in every little thing that happens to us as missionaries.  I just want to work as hard as we know how, make ourselves as open to revelation as possible, and try to be the best possible tools in the Lord's hand's that we can make ourselves, and the rest will fall in place.  We actually had a lot of small miracles this week too.  Those definitely add up.  So it has been a good week.  

 

Monday was my last zone P-day.  I'm glad I'm done with those.  The ZL's never put any effort into it, so we always just end up playing basketball and volleyball at the church.  But me and a couple other missionaries got together and played some approved card games.  So that was fun.  

Ate with the older R family that evening, and then Elder A went in early that night because he was feeling really crummy.  All this new exercise sometimes shocks your immune system.  

 

Tuesday was a good day.  Service in the morning, finding in the afternoon, Steak for dinner at the R family's place, and then we had a couple of really awesome lessons.  The first was to Sister C, who had been inactive for a long time until a few years ago, and her non-member husband.  He was super antagonistic towards the church at first, but now he loves what it does for his wife.  We talked about the importance of the temple.  She's really close to getting there.  Then we went to the M and taught them a follow up lesson on prayer.  Great lesson.  

 

Wednesday is usually our busy day, but not this week.  we visited a lot of less actives that morning, and we actually found out some new info on a couple of them that the ward hadn't known.  Then we went to district meeting, and I gave my last training.  It was on the relationship between Faith, Grace, and Works, and how to apply that in our missionary work.  So many secular Christians don't understand how they work together.  That has been a topic of my study for my entire mission almost.  And I feel like it was definitely one of my better trainings.  It was a satisfying conclusion lecture to what has been a really tough course of study.  And I got a bunch of compliments on it.  

One of the other things that we have been doing recently is just going out, walking around, and talking to whoever we see.  No plans, just preaching.  Its been kinda cool and we have found a bunch of new potentials that way.  I feel like my mission has been a lot of potential finding for other missionaries, and then whenever we turn someone into an investigator, they were usually found by someone else!  Oh well.  We're all on the same team I guess.  

The M family bought us panda express that night, which was cool since I haven't actually had anything other than cheap Chinese in a while haha.  I'll have to take you guys to a dollar scoop when we come through here again.  

Then our lesson with Susan cancelled.  If she hasn't read the BOM the next time we're probably going to drop her.  Then we taught a lesson about the temple to the B Family.  They are soooo solid.  Wish I could have taught them before they were baptized.

 

Thursday we street contacted in the morning again, and ran into a couple of less actives.  That was kinda cool.  Some really interesting timing there for some of them.  

Went to the T family's place for lunch and they gave us a hair cut.  Last one of the mission!  My style has changed a tad since I've been home haha.  

went to arc in the early afternoon, and then we tried a bunch of LAs in the later afternoon.  Ate dinner with the awesome W family who fed us ribs, and then we taught a lesson on the Priesthood to the S family.  Brother S was ordained a priest but he's never done anything that comes with it.  He's really shy so it will take some convincing before he'll agree to bless the sacrament.  Then we got stood up by the J family, and drove around with Brother S visiting unknowns.  Got a few doors slammed in our face haha.

 

Friday was Halloween.  It was okay, but doing weekly planning in the evening while handing out candy was kind of a bummer.  But we got a lot of service done that day with a few non members, and we taught a lesson in an assisted living home with Brother V and his friend who also lives there.  She's a LA that just moved into the home.  Super friendly, but kinda hard to stay on task haha.  I didn't carve a pumpkin this year :(  No time or resources.

 

Saturday's highlights include teaching the Native American B family, who unexpectedly fed us lunch, and seeing the G family that night.  They hadn't had the missionaries over for dinner for a long time because some past missionaries were dumb.  But they like us and they had us over, so that is a total plus to the ward trust category.  We later found out that they were having some struggles with one of their teenage daughters, so our being there apparently has helped with that.  That was pretty sweet I thought. 

 

Then Sunday was booked solid almost.  Meetings in the morning, sacrament visits before church, church (where we both bore our final fast sunday testimony), Dinnery with the S family, and then Lesson one with the H family for their 7 year old son Nick.  He's getting baptized in December so they want him to have a thorough understanding before that.  They are such an awesome family.  Brother H took us home and talked our ears off about his mission for a solid 45 minutes.  And then our day was done!  Just like that.

 

Anyways, I gotta go, some members are picking us up to take us to lunch.  Love you guys!

Have the mission office get ahold of me of there is anything else we need to do for registration!

 

Love 

Elder Efan      

 From Parker

Hello Everyone! The pictures from Lexi's party were awesome! Lexi is getting so big! And I love how all the kids are climbing all over dad, not much changes!  That is so freaking awesome, with the baptism that Emily got to speak at the baptism!  Good job all of you for being member missionaries! And from all the move pictures it seems like I will be home by the time it is all finished haha! Elder Anderson! Thats so crazy he is coming back to finish out his mission! I was wondering about him because when Elder Buhler friend requested me, I saw pictures with Elder Anderson in them!  Yeah I am staying in Ahwatukee area and staying the same ward with Elder C.  It looks like I will be here for at least six months! Pretty crazy!  I love it here except it is pretty dang hard to find people that are interested.  Some other Elders are like "look at it this way, since all you know is that zone, when you get to a zone that has a lot more going on it will be like Christmas all the time" haha so I am hoping it is something like that!

Lets see this week and transfer flew by.  

Monday: Not much happened we did our normal routine.  Elder C and I decided to go to Macdonalds to see how much I had on my gift card and I bought some stuff, swiped the card and it said approved so I like yelled yes! Turns out that I had only 30 cents and it approved me for that... and I didnt have any money left on my card, soo I had to use the Amex ahaha. After p-day was over we went and visited a few families.  We visited the P who are awesome! He is super pumped about missionary work and was like "really if you guys need anything let me know"  he then proceeded to give us another 10 bucks haha.  It is tough to visit members because on mondays it's family home evening and we dont like to interrupt  that.  

Tuesday:  We had district meeting and it was kindof like a fast and testimony meeting because we all got to help teach, bare testimony and train.  It was pretty awesome! Then we got a call to help someone move who we didnt even know and had no idea how much stuff would be there haha.  Brother P was able to help with his truck and we showed up and there was like nothing to move. Plus it was way on the other side of the other Elder's area and then we brought it back to the way other side of our area haha.  Like I said the Painters are awesome!  We then went on exhcanges and I went with Elder w to his area.  It went well we visited a few people from the ward and potentials and then after dinner we had a lesson with one of their investigators who was going to be baptized that upcoming weekend! She was super golden.  Married to a less active that is now coming back to church.  We taught laws and Ordinances.    

Wednesday:  We finished up exchanges, Elder W and I went to the Guadeloupe part of his area which is really sketchy but that is where all these cool shops are so I will have to go back there some time!  Plus that is where I got my new facebook picture haha.  Since he now covers part of my old area we visited some people that I remembered and had two lessones with less actives that I had become pretty good friends with.  We then had a lesson with the Delaughters and taught the Plan of Salvation.  It always ends up them just talking about all these crazy doctrines that probably have some kindof truth to them but are way way out there.  haha We stayed for dinner to so it lasted even longer with all the doctrinal stuff haha.  We then met with our only ward missionary since we have no ward mission leader or missionaries really.  We kindof filled her in on everything.  We then visited some members of the tempe 10th part of our ward which has really young people and really really old people.  Not much in between

Thursday:  We went and did service for another lady in our ward and helped clean up her yard that was getting pretty crazy.  It is tought to fill those morning ours so service is a great way to get to know members, get them to trust you, and to just help someone! We found a new investigator who really isnt an investigator he just likes to talk about religion and knows like every religion to the tee... except ours olddly enough.  We met with him but he is pretty much athiest so it is tough.  We then went by a few potentials and set up a few return appointments.  We then got called to help set up for the ward Halloween party.  So we helped with that and then got to be the judges for the chili cook off.  So needless to say since this is our second time doing it, my tough is tired of chili haha.  It is funny because it looked exactly like our ward back home.  No matter where you go, you get the same Halloween party in an church gym with the same kindof things happening.  Felt like home!  That took up most the night because we were asked to help clean up as well.

Friday:It was Halloween!!   There was not much to do this day because people where either gone, or preparing for the evening and didnt have time.   We had weekly planning.  Its funny because that week you sometimes are planning for an area that you might not even be in anymore haha.  We visited some people and asked for referrals with not much luck.  Then we had to be in at 6 because president Toone doesnt want anything bad happening to his missionaries that day.  So it was kindof a day off!  Except we didnt have much to do except twidle our thums haha.  We did find the board game Risk in our closet and got approve from the Zl's to play it, so that pretty much took up our night haha

Saturday:  it is already November!  This week was a rough week.  A lot of interruptions and a lot of people gone and a lot of people cancelled.  Kindof disheartening.  We then had a lesson that was set an investigator we were excited about cancelled on us.  So hopefully can meet with her soon.  Most of our day was compiled of studies and more service.    The mission has a new program called just serve.  Where community things can sign up for missionaries to come and serve.  We are allowed 10 hours a week to help with that.  So hopefully that starts rolling fast.  Being a tester mission is cool!  We had stake conference and then just street contacted because it got out late

Sunday;  Was the regualar stake conference.  They tried this new thing where 97 stakes in Arizona had a broadcast from Salt Lake.  We got to hear from President Uchtdorf and Elder Christoferson! It was like a mini general conference!  Really cool! We then has a lesson with our temple open house referral.  We invited him to be baptized but his less active girlfriend said no for him.  They are living together and she knew exactly what that meant.  He is still really interested so we will continue to work with them! We visited people in the amazing 60 degree weather! or something like that.  I was actually really cold for the first time in what has seemed like forever.....  We went in early to send in stats because of transfer calls.  Waited and it took a long time to find out that I am staying haha.  

That was my week!v Tough week.  This next transfer hopefully will be a good one! Bishop Wright has a goal of 10 baptisms for the ward this year! We are at 9! So I really want to help be a part of that and hit the goal they set!

Love you all! And thanks for the emails!

Elder Hemsley