Glass Houses

It started with a bang.
Tuesday we were doing service for a local community center. My
companion was moving a large piece of glass with the help of another
elder to the dump. Turns out, the glass was too heavy to be supported
on the sides alone. It collapsed from the middle and shattered
everywhere. Have you ever seen glass break? It's quite beautiful.
Looking at broken glass isn't, cleaning broken glass isn't, but seeing
it break is quite enjoyable.
At any rate, we all looked at it, thinking, "that was sweet!" Until we
realized Elder Y's pinky was leaking blood. I know , the pinky
finger, why do we even call it a pinky? Isn't that enough to make
anything pertaining to it sound harmless? "Ow, my pinky." "Ow, who
cares?"
That is extremely sarcastic. Elder Y was losing a lot of blood. We
jumped over to an urgent care and waited for him to be admitted for a
solid hour and a half. It wasn't very urgent. he couldn't feel it. It
was more of pain waiting than actually getting his pinky almost sliced
off.
After he was admitted, it took a long time for him to come out. I
couldn't help but glance over to the TV. Let's Make a Deal was on. A
man from Provo won a motorcycle. He definitely was a return
missionary. Then Jeopardy came on. My weakness. I was cruising through
double jeopardy when Elder Y came out. He had three stitches.
Hooray!
I know that this is serious, but the circumstance just made it so
nothing seemed very serious. Elder Y couldn't feel the pain, we
spent an hour and a half waiting in an empty waiting room, Jeopardy
was on, it was an odd day.

Wednesday was great. We were able to have dinner with the C
family. They were baptized in the Old Settlers Ward in March, and then
moved north out of the Ward in May. They came back to visit the Ward
last week and were shocked to see me there. They demanded that we go
out to dinner with them. I was so happy to know that they were doing
great in their Ward, and they enjoyed the members there. It sounds
like they are making plans to be sealed in the temple next spring, and
I can't wait to join them. A family like that is why we do missionary
work. We see the blessings of baptism and continual activity in the
church. I received their contact information and can't wait to see
them again.

We've been having a lot of fun with one of our favorite investigators,
Marshall. Every day he surprises us. On Wednesday he told us he was
done investigating the church through a text. On Thursday his less
active mother told us he still was and he'll talk to us soon. On
Friday he texted us asking to set up an appointment. On Saturday we
taught him. On Sunday he came to church and invited us to a dinner he
was having with some members of the Ward. What a guy. He has read
almost a third of the Book of Mormon in two weeks, which is really
impressive. Most people don't get through second Nephi.

Life is great. I am enjoying being in this area for so long. Many of
the members are joking that I will get my records moved here and I'll
get a calling in primary pretty soon. Ha ha, I wouldn't put it past
some of these bishops to find a way to wrangle some of the loose kids
in sacrament meeting.

Things are going great. We are fulfilling our missionary purpose and
having fun while we're at it. My testimony is sound, my love is deep.
I pray we all can walk towards the throne of God with confidence,

Elder Richard Hall

Rain, and Missionaries

While my elementary school classmate is knocking home runs in New
York, I am preaching the gospel in Round Rock. Texas was looking more
like springtime Texas than it did August Texas recently. It rained
every day this week, and we didn't get very much sunshine. Not that
I'm complaining. Getting a break from the August heat is very much a
blessing. It's the humidity that bites. I can deal with 105 degrees,
that what I grew up with in Stockton, but that humidity get to any
soul.

This week we had a great district activity. All of the missionaries
nearby collected together and we did genealogy together. Learning
about your family history is extremely important, especially if your
religion believes in eternal families.  I love that we as a church
believe in performing proxy ordinances for those that have passed. It
shows the importance of the acts. The greatest act of time, the
Atonement, was a proxy action itself. Christ conquered sin and death,
that we through him can conquer sin and death. The only way out of
this life is through a proxy ordinance, it makes sense that those out
of this life still need a proxy ordinance. There is so much to learn
from Jesus Christ and his infinite atonement.
It was a great sight to see missionaries searching through their
family records and discovering their past, seeing what they can do to
reserve names to take to the temple. I got to help many of them with
how to attach sources, organize records, reserve temple ordinances,
and read memories of their ancestors. Some of the greatest joys on
earth can be found in our families. I know that there are family
members that I have never met that I will be great friends with in the
afterlife. There is so much good in getting to know your family, and
serving them in any way possible.

On Friday I was able to trade companions for a day. I went on a
companionship exchange with the Round Rock elders. Elder Yale went
with Elder Boren, and I went with Elder A. What an outstanding
missionary. He understands that the simple things get big things done.
We don't have to over complicate, as entertaining as it is. Many times
getting back to basics is the solution to many problems in sports,
work, relationships, the gospel, and it works great in missionary
work. We had an excellent day finding, teaching, and learning from one
another.
One of my favorite parts of being a missionary are the other
missionaries. While scores and scores of people learn from us and the
Savior's teachings, we as teachers learn from each other. We grow with
each other. We become friends with each other. This is the Lord's work
and glory, and we are thrusting in our sickles with might side by
side. It's a great feeling.

Recently my mind has been pondering about a few scriptures. I'd like
to share some of them and my thoughts about them.
"O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments--then had thy peace
been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea (1
Nephi 18:20, Isaiah 48:20)."
"Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as
in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22)."
It interests me that my mind is drawn to these passages. They are both
about obedience and they are both in the Old Testament. Both of them
lament not the committing of sin, but the denial of obedience. To
Isaiah and Samuel, we see that the glory of the lord is not in the
trial or hardship that we put into obedience, but the need for his
laws to be kept.
I also enjoy the imagery in the first quote. Peace is like a reach. It
flows, it is not still. It rushes and goes forth. Many times we see
peacefulness as idleness, when Isaiah describes peace as momentous.
The imagery in Samuel's reproof to Saul is strong as well. In this
case, Samuel is using a physical substance in contrast to a mental
response. "To hearken that the fat of rams." Self-mastery and humility
are tools we have to fulfill the word of the lord. We perform his
deeds in the order and desire he has given us, not what we think is
best.

My mind is everywhere today. We had a wild week filled with ups and
downs, but no matter what, I love being a missionary. I thank my God
for this chance I have to work with him. Every experience is worth it.

Elder Hall

1. Elder A and I on exchanges
2. Things that happen when it rains in Texas

How you gonna keep on turning?

What an eventful week! I have to say that being a missionary makes
every moment count. I once asked one of my favorite companions what
made him work so hard, to which he said, "I don't want to waste the
Lord's time."
Wow. Such power, such honesty. That is a missionary who understands
that this time is sacred and special. He is not the only missionary
that has told me that before. I am glad that I serve around so many
inspiring leaders.

One of the key indicators for my personal success is how much I find
joy in the success of other people. Recently I've been able to keep
close watch over the missionaries serving around me, and they are
doing amazing things with the Lord's time. Feeling the joy of others
inspires me to have my own joy, and believe me I do. There is always
something to be happy about.
For instance, at the beginning of this week, I thought I would melt.
It was so blessed hot outside. We took a bit of time in the afternoon
to get out of the car and walk, and after two hours of work, we got
back into the car, and I realized that all the pass along cards in my
front pocket melted together. I have no idea how I did it on a bike
last year, but I'm glad that I am off of the bike for now.
On Saturday, however, we got caught in one of the most torrential
downpours of my mission. It matched the time when a tropical storm
ripped through Texas in the Fall of last year. It was like watching
sheets of water hit the ground. Quite spectacular. Even though we got
a good soak in, it felt better than getting sweat and dirt mixed
together on my face. It has been raining nonstop for the past two and
a half days. I love it. I feel like one of the kids in Holes, when it
finally rains, except I don't wear orange jumpsuits, or own a shovel,
or am on parole. Other than that, I feel like Holes.

we received two self referrals this week. One of them was for a
Nigerian Lady, E I, and a recent UT grad, M.
Eallows us to call her Maria. Thank you so much, Maria.
Maria is actually a member of the church who has moved into the Ward
for next few months or so. She wanted to know where the local church
was. We were glad to tell her and then get to know the family she is
staying with. Maria has been a temple worker in Aba Nigeria for the
past 11 years. She is a very faithful woman. We asked her sister and
brother in-law if we could teach them, and they said, "of course!"
Maria and her sister came to church this Sunday and loved it. They
said that they could hardly understand anyone's English accents, but
they still felt the spirit. That's what is is all about. So glad to
meet her.
M. Referred himself after a great time of thought. He says that
he has been drawn to the church throughout his life, but has never met
with the missionaries. He's been reading the Book of Mormon on his own
and loved all three ours of church. He came in a sport coat and white
shirt with dress pants. He fit right in! M is a great man and I
hope that he accepts the invitation to be baptized soon.

This week I ate in a home that my brother ate at many times before.
When he was serving his mission in Texas, he would go to the Mitchells
from time to time and have dinner with their family. Now here I was,
looking at the same wallpaper, probably the same table, talking to the
same family that I have grown to love serving in my own Ward. It was
such an out of body experience to think, "My brother was here 10 years
ago. He sat in this room. He talked to these people." It would be even
wilder of an experience if half of the Stony Point Ward didn't already
know my other Brother.

Things are going great out in Round Rock. I officially cover three
townships though, due to the amount of wards we cover. Yesterday I was
in Pflugerville sacrament meeting, drove to Round Rock, and then
finished the night in Georgetown municipality. For being in three
fairly densely populated wards, it's a fun thought.

I want to finish my email by sharing one of my favorite stories about
the early church.
When  the  23-year-old  Heber  J.  Grant  was instaled  as  president
of  the  Tooele  Stake,  he  told the  Saints  he  believed  the
gospel  was  true. President  Joseph  F.  Smith,  a  counselor  in
the  First Presidency,  inquired,  "Heber,  you  said  you believe the
gospel with al  your  heart,  …  but  you did  not  bear  your
testimony  that  you  know  it  is true.  Don't  you  know  absolutely
that  this  gospel  is true?" Heber  answered,  "I  do  not."  Joseph
F.  Smith  then turned  to  John  Taylor,  the  President  of  the
Church,  and  said,  "I  am  in  favor  of  undoing  this afternoon
what  we  did  this  morning.  I  do  not  think any  man  should
preside  over  a  stake  who  has  not a  perfect  and  abiding
knowledge  of  the  divinity  of this  work." President  Taylor
replied,  "Joseph,  Joseph,  Joseph, [Heber] knows it just as well as
you  do.  The  only thing  that  he  does  not  know  is  that  he
does  know it." Within  a  few  weeks  that  testimony  was  realized,
and  young  Heber  J.  Grant  shed  tears  of  gratitude for  the
perfect,  abiding,  and  absolute  testimony that  came  into  his
life.

It  is  a  grand  thing  to  know—and  to  know  that  you know  and
that  the  light  has  not  been  borrowed from  another.

Elder Richard Hall

1. Elder Nebeker and I. He was one of my four trainers, and an
excellent missionary.
2. Toe Juice. The most amazing thing on earth

Another Week Amongst the Austinites

T

Today at 1:02 PM

There is always good to be found in the work of salvation. Today we
were at the HEB, buying our groceries, enjoying the P-day, when a man
came up to us. He wanted to let us know how grateful he is for us. He
says that every time he sees us on the bikes or tracting down a
street, he feels motivated, inspired. It is touching for me to see a
man that I never met and not even believe in what I do so grateful to
see what I do. He was to the point of tears. It was a special moment
to see what a missionary tool our example can be.

We had a wild week, as usual. You just can't have it easy when you are
covering three wards. The difference between two wards and three wards
is more than you would imagine.
Sundays are always fun. We go to meeting at 7:00, attend the first
hour of 8:30 church, then drive 7 miles to the other building to get
to 10:00 service, then stick around until 5:00. I love it. My dad was
never home on Sundays. It seemed that he always skipped around from
meeting to meeting, making friends, feeling the spirit. As a child, I
didn't understand why someone would want to go to more than the
mandatory 3 hours of church, but it makes perfect sense now. It is so
easy to feel the spirit, and to receive revelation at church. Much
easier than sitting at home. We contemplate, we worship, we strive to
be like Christ, we take the sacrament, we see old friends, we make new
ones, we sing beautiful songs. We do it together. It's hard a to do it
alone. Attending 10 hours of church of week is a blessing, not a
burden. I wish I could do it every week of my mission.

We found a new investigator this week. Or really, he found us. F
gave us a call asking where our church building was. We told him when
and then asked to meet with him. He was more than happy to. He
recently moved here from New York. He found out about the church
through the smash-hit Broadway musical, "The Book of Mormon". He got
interested about the church and talked to missionaries on Mormon.org.
He wanted to join the church, but his parents, who are strongly
against any religion, forced him not to. He attended church for the
longest time, waiting to become a member. Well, now that he is far
from his parents, and far from their pressure, he is going to meet
with missionaries. He already knows just about everything about the
church. His situation is a little more interesting than others, so we
will see how it will turn out, but it's another person we get to meet
with, and another member in the making.

This week two of my favorite families in Old Settlers Ward moved. One
of the families moved in the same week I got into the Ward! That
usually doesn't happen. It was strange to put a couch into their UHAUL
that I helped take out of a UHAUL for them. Usually missionaries are
the transient +members, being transferred from area to area, swapping
out companions and switching wards here and there, but my stay in Old
Settlers Ward has felt a little too permanent. The bishop and his
counselors have threatened me with a calling, sending me to nursery,
and asking for my tithing. Honestly, It's starting to look like it.

Recently my mind has been brought to think about prayer, and the
prayer of faith. I made a study for the prayer of faith and what it
means to pray with faith. Here is an insert from it
What is the prayer of faith? How do we pray with faith?
To strengthen our prayers, let's strengthen our faith in prayer, by
learning more about prayer. Knowledge and faith grow together.
What is prayer?
Calling upon the name of the Lord (BD, Prayer)
Is there different kinds of prayer?
Yes. There are vocal prayers (3 Nephi 19) and prayers of the heart (3
Nephi 20:1)
There are songs of the righteous that are prayers (D&C 25:12) even
group prayer is a type of prayer (3 Nephi 18:21)
It's a communication with our Heavenly Father.
We always pray in the name of Jesus Christ (3 Nephi 18:19)
How often should we pray?
Luke 21:36 Thessalonians 2:11 2 Nephi 32:8-9 3 Nephi 18:19 D&C 10:5 D&C 93:49
Pray ALWAYS! That phrase shows up in the standard works over 18 times
What are some reasons that it tells us to pray always?
That we may not enter into temptation (prayer cleanses us, prayer protects us)
That whatsoever we shall ask it shall be given to us
That God may consecrate our performance
To be counted worthy
Do we always get what we want when we pray?
D&C 50:29-30
Attributes of the prayer of faith.
1 Nephi 1:5-6, Ether 3:5,6,9 Enos 1:11-12
We pray for the welfare of others.
The lord visits us and gives us revelation. this is why it is so
important to teach with the spirit, and to pray for the spirit

Faith is essential. Faith brings miracles. Faith brings obedience.
Faith brings the ability to use the atonement.