Thoughts of Thanksgiving

November 24, 2014

I am so grateful to be on a mission; not that I'm always liking it, but because of what God is teaching me and has taught me. This opportunity is afforded to so few! It is a paltry group when compared to the billions who have lived. And what more- an even smaller fraction has the privilege of serving in Dallas and East Texas! Notwithstanding the bounteous blessings, I do from time to time forget just how merciful God has been to me. This ingratitude worms its way into my heart and gnaws at my joy. Last Sunday one of the sacrament speakers addressed us on the subject of gratitude. The talk might as well have been for me. How grateful we are determines our happiness. Needless to say, ever since then I have been happier. I think of President Uchtdorf's talk back in April. He spoke of gratitude not as being grateful for things, but cultivating an overall and abiding spirit of gratitude. I love it and have so much to be grateful for. 

Love,

Elder Hunt

Enjoy the Faith

November 11, 2014

Dear Family,

Thank you for your weekly words of encouragement, thank you also for the weekly pictures. 

Y'alls stake covers the entire island of Honshu! Is that the big, main island? 

That is mind blowing to me- in North Dallas there are many, many stakes and wards. I take it the church is not very concentrated in Japan? 

I am very glad to hear that yall are settling in on the finer points of living. Beds are very important- what were y'all doing before they arrived??

I love you, stay safe and enjoy the faith!

-Elder Hunt

Working Hard

November 4, 2014

Elder Clark and I are working hard.  Yesterday a new lady walked into church for fast and testimony meeting--------It was a great meeting with great testimonies bore by many. People did practically "line up" to meet and introduce themselves. Elder Clark and I were a bit worried that it all may have been too much at once but I trust God is in charge here and all will work out. Unfortunately, when we went to talk to her after 3rd hour we found she had gone already so we didn't get to ask her what she thought of church let alone get an appointment to meet with her.. 

So there's that- other wise it has been a pretty similar week to the previous weeks. Elder Clark and I have now found most of the unknown members or moved members and met with several less active ones. Bishop's direction has been excellent here-- the whole ward leadership is on board with his plans! Pretty soon we hope to have the whole ward list up to date and in the hands of all the ward.

So a good week after all!

Love y'all! 

Elder Hunt

Bullet-proof Testimony

October 28, 2014

Hey y'all!

This past week was very dynamic. Elder Clark and I have been applying President Taylor's training and working more closely with our ward council- both individually and as a whole. We have also traversed Henderson, coming across many less active members. 

Every time we meet with anyone we leave an invitation, as the Spirit directs, often to come to church or read the scriptures daily. Some peoples responses have been positive, accepting our invitations. Not all have been so prudent. One woman told us that reading the Book of Mormon was something she "just doesn't do" She hadn't come to church since the year I was born. 

Juxtaposing such, we had a Stake Priesthood meeting last night from our Stake Presidency. They spoke with fire and zeal and love, inviting the men of the Priesthood to be better. (Imagine Texan accents and a little pulpit pounding.) President Wagley asked us: What kind of testimony do you have? Is it strong? Or did you get it at Wal-Mart? Nice, cheap, easy, and it even has a lifetime guarantee!  He invited each of us to get a bullet-proof testimony. This sermon fit right in with Bishop Williamson's vision of increasing the spirituality of the ward! Things are on the upward.

Love y'all!

-Elder Hunt

To My Parents

October 21, 2014

Dear Fadre, 

I am blessed above celebrities, politicians, and princes to have you as my father. Serving this mission has exposed my mind to the fullness of the world and my appreciation has grown deeper. I see too much despair; too many broken families. The Gospel of Christ can fix so many needless problems but people are not always willing to commit, seek help, or even accept it. Some people seem to see it all as a fairy tale - that loving, unified families exist only in the movies, and only old movies at that. So thank you for loving God most; that your love for Madre, Brandon and I remains strong.

Elder Hunt

Wow Madre!

Can you feel the wisdom and experience? (I celebrated my 50th birthday this past week.)

It was delightful for me to see all those pictures- thank you for doing that for me. I do have to say that you and Fadre don't look so old as being in the fifties. It is wonderful to see and hear that you are doing so well back home. 

I am glad to say that I too am doing quite well. Henderson is challenging as areas go but Elder Clark and I have noticed a pickup- we are finding lost sheep! We hope to help the ward build it'self up.  I realize I have not been the best at sending pictures to y'all- the computers here don't have a port for this 8gb "memory stick pro duo" and the SD converter doesn't read it so I will find a solution somehow!  

Love you, 

Elder Hunt

"Meet the Mormons"

October 14, 2014

Hey Family and Friends,

Well, I am sad to leave Palestine, but Henderson is the least drastic change possible.

Henderson is slightly smaller than Palestine, however it is very well kept. 

We (Elder Clark and I) cover two counties- Rusk county and Panola county. I have known Elder Clark throughout my mission- from Frisco and even Plano wayayayay back eons ago. He has been serving his mission a bit over 21 months out so we suspect that I will be sending him off home as his final companion come mid December. 

Elder Clark is from Holliday, Utah. He is a fellow geek like me so we enjoy talking about all kinds of stuff- including stories we have both come up with. We were double-transferred into Hendy (my nickname for this town) and it has been a slow start. 

Several storms have hit since we arrived. They have all hit around 6:30 am (always after our alarm goes off) with resounding thunder that shakes the windows and they rattle in their place. I think God has been very merciful not to have the thunder booming before that time- it is louder by far than our alarm and I love my sleep! 

This past week President Taylor showed us the movie "Meet the Mormons". If you want an inspirational feel good movie watch it- it is really good! 

-Elder Hunt

Happy in Henderson

October 7, 2014

Hey y'all, 

Sorry for the lack of an e-mail last week.

I found out I was going to Henderson at  9:45 pm the night before so it was a scramble to be in Dallas for transfers.  Ironically, today we head into Dallas to stay overnight for a huge meeting about the "Meet the Mormons" movie and some training. So I'm rushed again this week. 

Henderson is very similar to Palestine.  It is a large county with gently rolling hills, forest- large ranches and fields for cattle. It's a whole lot of 'murica (America). 

Love Y'all!!!! 

I'll send lots of pics and good stuff next week!

-Elder Hunt