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May 16, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

So hoorah to a new week. This past week was alright with the change of companions. It could've been better though had my bike not broken on me(for those biker nerds[Kent] out there, it was my bottom bracket that snapped... which is not supposed to happen). It broke last Monday and Elder K and I got it into the shop, but they haven't called or anything about its status. I hope to get it back by either today or tomorrow. Being on foot is such a pain and is far less effective than being able to be on the bike. It really limits the area you can cover unless you have people to drive you around to see people. We managed alright I guess.

These past couple of days with Elder Holland have been pretty alright surprisingly. I'd probably associate that with God's help and influence though. I say that because I had served around him when I was in Stourbridge and he was a pain to everyone around- especially his companion. He just made life difficult and not very fun to be around. So in anticipation of this, I had prayed pretty hard about the responsibility of being with him and also being senior. I believe it has worked and God has given me further patience and charity because we actually sort of get along and he doesn't completely drive me crazy by all the remarks he says. So life is alright and we're doing alright and I think we are on the same page for the most part with the work, which is really needed to be able to accomplish more. So yeah.... Hopefully we'll be able to have a good transfer together without me getting really annoyed by him. It's a good thing I got the patience gene from my old parents(speaking of being old, Elder K and I would discuss stuff like that and we figured out that you guys-being Mother and Pops- are older than his grandparents on one side..... how does that make you feel? :P) [the Mom: uhmmm, a little old (sigh)]

So I'm not sure exactly what I learned this week. I'll give you an update on Morgan( our 9 year old investigator) while I think of it. Right now he is still super good. He remembers so much and the only thing that is really stopping him from getting baptized is us getting the ok from his parents for a specific date. We were talking to him, and his grandpa, yesterday
and were thinking that the 4th of June would be good. So we just need to get that approved with his parents who we should hopefully be seeing this week. We are also teaching another 8 year old to prepare him for baptism. They both might get baptised on the same day. We'll see.

This week I learned and thought quite a bit about faith and hope(I don't know if I've spoken about this before since I do send a email every week and I've been out for 10 months now....that's a lot of emails). There is a scripture in Moroni 7(don't have the exact verses. it's in the 40's i think though) and it talks about how you can't have hope without faith. So for us to gain a hope, we first need faith in something that will give us the hope. Like say for basketball, we can only gain hope in winning the game if we have faith in our skill and the unity and teamwork of the team. So then to gain that hope, you'd practice enough so that you have faith enough in your skill and team that you then obtain that hope. So how does that pertain to you. We know that because of Christ's Atonement, we can then have the hope that we can once again live with our Father in Heaven and our families for all eternity. Now the question is, do you want that hope?? Do you want to find that knowledge? If so, you should know what you need to do- which is to do what you need to strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. We can do that by simple means- reading (studying), praying, and going to church. When we do that with the desire to strengthen our faith, we will and we will receive that hope of eternal life. It's beautiful how simple the gospel can be.

I don't have much more time left. I love you all and for those slacking with letters....i guess it makes a little sense since it's summer time. And for those awaiting my letters, accept my apology. I'm working on it. I love you all tons and I hope that you guys are still in search for everything that brings happiness into your life.

Love,

Elder Hulet