Moving Missionaries

September 8, 2014

Hello Y'All,

Well, things are moving.

Mike, our new investigator (who had a baptismal date) dropped us last Saturday. We had a member with us who brought up the Word of Wisdom too soon in his progression. We do hope to meet with him later this week.

David was at church with us again.  He wore a collared shirt and a tie and we taught him how to tie a tie before heading to church. Given Word of Wisdom issues, we probably will push his baptismal date back.  Nonetheless, he is progressing so I'm pleased with that.

Texas Dallas Mission was chosen to pilot a new program for the church. Referrals have been done over the phone but a new computer based program is what we are working with now. The plan is for us to use it and help work out all the bugs and give feedback ect. Once all the issues are fixed the program will be implemented world wide.

Have a great week everyone! Love to all y'all!

-E Hunt

A Two Terrific Week

September 1, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

So this past week Elder Osborn and I have seen some progress.

We taught David the Word of Wisdom this past week and committed him to live it. We also set a baptismal date with him. 

We have already twice taught Mike, an older gentleman who was referred to us from Salt Lake. He is interested in the church because he can get out and do things. He can be a missionary, and that was what first drew him to our church. We have already set a baptismal date with him too. 

This had Elder Osborn very excited.  He has never baptized, nor even taught past the third lesson with an investigator the whole nine months of his mission. So he was ecstatic to set two baptismal dates in one week. 

You guys really are my family- Fadre sent me some photos from his I-phone and half were of y'all eating amazing food! (Our family is moving to Tokyo, Japan with Shane's work at Disney.  This past week we were on a housing trip to Tokyo and ate a number of very tasty Japanese meals.)

I love you!

I love you!

I love you!

-E Hunt

Chicago Dogs and Oz Dogs

August 25, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Elder Osborn and I both made our own unique hot dogs. Elder Osborn has family living in Norway, and up there they wrap a hotdog in bacon and put french fried onions on it. We call it the "Oz dog". 

I have found a unique hotdog myself. A Chicago dog is a hot dog with poppyseed on the bun, chopped onion, relish, tomato, a slice of pickle, hot peppers, mustard, and a dusting of paprika. Apparantly the combo comes from Chicago and I am glad it wandered it's way down south to Texas! 

I love working with Elder Osborn.  He has energy, cracks a good joke, and is very easy to get along with. With him, we have really made headway with several families in the ward. It's cool to catch a glimpse of maybe why the Lord sends an Elder to a certain town. I can truly say that we are meant to be here -and now- in Texas! 

David came to church AGAIN this week!!! He seems more comfortable each week. 

Something very interesting about the move to Japan: I had always considered California as just a place I lived.  California is where I came from but not what defined me. Then when I found out about the move, I thought I would never get to go back nor see any of my old family and friends and I will admit to a bit of sadness. So I guess I do have a bit of attachment. But then I thought: hey- I can visit! So no more sadness. (Our family is moving to Japan for a new job assignment with Disney.)

On the contrary, I am loving life. Every so often I like to tell Elder Osborn how good life is and monologue on the details and big picture alike. 

*disclaimer* The mission is an emotional roller coaster - filled with progressions upward and quick descents. And just like any roller coaster- it is fun! *end disclaimer*

Love y'all so much!

Toodles!

-Elder Hunt

Angels in Palestine

August 18, 2014

Hello Y'all!


Revelation 14:6 -- And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.  

This week all has been well in Texas. We had Stake Conference and President Taylor and Sister Taylor spoke. David was not there but we did meet with him last Saturday and he is progressing and gaining an understanding of the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation and all of it all. I want y'all to know I am healthy, happy, and loving life. I love you.

-Elder Hunt

Things Are Looking Brighter!

August 11, 2014

Dear Family,

Wonderful news!

David was with us again at church yesterday!!

He also seemed more relaxed than he has been in the past.

On Friday all the missionaries of East Texas met with President Taylor. He trained us on the "How" of member missionary work. This training answered many questions I have had for a long time, that no one has been able to give me straight answers for. It also gave me new perspective on my role as a missionary.

Dad, you have some competition.  Elder Osborn is an adept pun-er and it is so much fun to hear puns again it reminds me of you. Last Saturday we were helping a new member of the ward move in.  One of the members of the Elders quorum commented to me that my lifting technique was excellent. After thanking him, I thought back to you, teaching Brandon and I how to lift properly. Even though Brandon and I would at times become exasperated when you taught us things, we did and do listen. Dad, thank you for taking time to teach my brother and I, both scheduled and opportunistic. I love you. 

Overall, things are looking brighter here in Texas. I am excited to apply the new things I have learned.

Love all yall!

-Elder Hunt

Batman and Robin

August 4, 2014

My Dear Family and Friends,

This week on Batman- the dynamic duo saw some dyn-a-matic changes and surprises.

David did not attend church this week.  He went to another church with Miss Johnson and some other friends. I figure he's attended the past three weeks and plans to attend with us again this coming Sunday, so that's fair. I hope that he will notice the difference between the churches and realize that the best place for him to be is in Sacrament Meeting. We meet with him tomorrow so we will see.

I have enjoyed driving the Batmobile around.  Yes, I am designated as the driver. I have been making the most of the car's manual shifting option and have become proficient at using the manual gear-style.

We also will begin teaching an adopted girl whose family has now won full-custody of her. She wants to be baptized and her family wants her to be baptized but the adoption needed to be completed. Now that the legal stuff is taken care of she can be baptized!

We also ran into the Riddler and he asked us this, "I have one face and three hands, the longer my hand the faster I can move it- the shorter my hand the slower I move it. People are always looking to me to tell them one thing- what am I?"

Batman (Elder Osborn) and I figured out the riddle- can y'all?

We ran into the Joker and he told us, "I found out today that my toaster wasn't waterproof- I was shocked!"

Well, my dear family- I love all y'all!

Have fun back home in the Marvel universe!!!

-Elder Hunt

Hello's and Good-Bye's

July 28, 2014

Dear Family & Friends,

On transfer day, Elder Heward made his last mission transfer.

Elder Hunt and Elder Heward

He is home now. At approximately 3:30pm on Wednesday, he touched down and met his dear family.  He was a good companion.

Elder Osborn, my new companion, has been in the mission field for eight months. He moved in from McKinney, TX which is similar to Frisco, TX where I served previously.  He is from Las Vegas. Here's a picture of us!

Elder Osborne and Elder Hunt

We got a bit lost in deep Anderson county visiting members of our congregation. I parked the car on the side of the road and when we looked up we were fifty feet from the mission boundary! It was a miracle that we did not accidentally leave our area!

After some good jokes about the mission boundary, I took this photo of Elder Osborn leaning against the "invisible wall" that prevents us from leaving the mission.

I have learned that attitude is what makes a difference in many things in life. On the mission it is the same situation. Some missionaries love their mission, while others carry the attitude of serving a prison sentence, struggling through it.  I personally can say I would not want to be anywhere else; this is the BEST decision I have yet made in my 19 years, four-something months upon this earth in this mortality. 

I am happy to share that David has come to church for the third time this past week. We don't know for sure, but suspect that there is some opposition going on. I thank God for the fulfilling spirit of the sacrament.  Other churches can copy a "spiritual-feel-good" feeling or a burning of the bosom, but they cannot copy the fulfilling power and wholesome feeling of being cleansed and spiritually fed.

Love y'all! 

-Elder Hunt