Remembering Him

June 1, 2015

Hey, 

Just wanted to say that I'm doing well.  The weather is warming up here too! 

I was reading in Mosiah chapter 1 where King Benjamin is teaching his sons.  In verses 4 and 5 he talks about how the scriptures were used to remind the parents of the commandments of the Lord, so that they can continue to keep them and teach them to their children. In chapter 18 of 3rd Nephi, the Lord gives the sacrament so that the Nephites might always remember Him. So much of what the Lord gives us helps us to not be distracted and remember him. I am glad to say that the Voyles are doing well, I feel because of this principle. I had some concerns but the Lord came through.

Love y'all!

-Elder Hunt

Eternal Family

May 25, 2015

Hello!

This week has been rather swell, if I can use that word. We continue to be pummeled by storm and rain.  We no longer pay any heed to flood warnings. 

One of our families came to church this past Sunday and we were blessed with an excellent sacrament meeting with speakers who taught with power and meaning, inviting the spirit to join the congregation. We shall see how the Wells family will commit and keep commitments from now- I have good hope for them. 

Two other people also came to church to hear Sister Hurley speak and she did an excellent job indeed. With the Voyles, we are seeing much opposition and it is hard to see them struggle somewhat. Something I have noticed is that even when members of the church who are followers of Christ fall back to old ways, they reap the consequences - and such are always bitter. When people choose to not progress, they can either realise the error of their way and repent or they can deceive themselves into thinking they are fine and happy. 

I pray y'all continue to be blessed.  Soon we will be reunited. I am so glad to have y'all for eternal family!

-Elder Hunt

Around the World

May 18, 2015

Hey Y'all!

That's so cool that y'all are so much closer to our family in Australia- I really feel like our family is from around the world.  (We enjoyed a visit from Shane's Aunt and Uncle who are from Australia.)  Lots of people react quite surprised to hear I'll be returning to Tokyo, Japan after my mission.   I was thinking about how y'all would skype our distant family from the states- and we can use that technology to converse from thousands of miles away! It is amazing how blessed we are in these days with all the tools the Lord has given us to bring to pass righteousness.

We, too, had stake conference yesterday.  It was well attended with some very good speakers. Thanks for sending the pictures of Brandon.  If the other three guys he was with sum up the size of most kids in the area then Brandon is gigantic! 

Love ya!

-Elder Hunt

Amazing!

May 4, 2015

Hey Y'all!

Transfers have had things switched around. Over half of our zone was transferred out!  However,  Elder Lindquist was sent to Carrolton- the area next to Lewisville! He is with another missionary who has been out 3 months so they are quite the pair!! I am with an Elder Saxey, who has been out six months. He will probably be my last companion- I have only 3 months left now so the members have begun to give me grief about it. 

Kieth and Catherine are amazing us- we taught the law of tithing and the law of the fast and they accepted it outright.  Now they are seeing opportunities for new jobs and new promotions. Elder Saxey was sick for a few day with strep throat. Because of this I went on a few exchanges with the priests from the ward. It was great and something I plan on doing more of. 

Elder Saxey is from Seattle, Washington area. He actually lived in a town called Forks- I didn't know it but apparently that is the town the Twilight series is set in. I am very happy to have him as a companion- he is one of those people that often turns outward and serves others rather than the self. 

My family thank you for writing me, thank you for you pictures and words of encouragement. Please know I love you and pray for you often. 

Love ya!

-Elder Hunt

Missions are great!

Hey Y'all!

We had the Vern family over again to church yesterday. They really loved it. Please keep praying for them- that they will have a desire to change for Christ and commit to follow him. 

I really want to send y'all some good pictures.  I have many but I can't find a wifi network that isn't locked with a password. We have been holding our breath in anticipation of transfers coming up- we don't know what will happen. 

I love how much clarity and strength the Gospel of Christ has brought into my life. The Holy Ghost sharpens our minds so that we can penetrate the knots of confusion, deception, and misinformation - getting to the center of subjects many struggle with. Is there a God? Does he have a plan for me? What will happen to me when I die? What will happen to my family when they die? I know that God exists and desires for us to follow his plan for us. As we do so we secure the future of us and our families. I love you guys, there is much to catch up on and much to tell and relate to y'all. Missions are great!

Love y'all!

-Elder Hunt

Alelujah!

April 13, 2015

Y'all have commented in your e-mails to me that you pray often for Elder Lindquist, I and the people we are teaching. Thank you for doing that. Those prayers work!  Yesterday a family we are teaching attended church for the first time  - Kieth, Catherine, Trinity and Cody! They enjoyed it, even with the un-culturally long church meetings us Mormons have. 

They invited us over for dinner afterward too. It has been a very long time since I have had investigators at church. It is exciting and uplifting to work with this family. They have been reading the Book of Mormon, praying, coming to know God's will for them through the Spirit. 

I am so blessed to be here at this time, enjoying being a part of our Father in Heaven's work and glory. I have always marveled at how God could do it all himself, it would be easier if he did not involve us. We make mistakes, we sin, we are not perfect in this work. Yet he allows us the chance to help in his work and in the process we grow and we become more like him. The whole purpose of this work is for us. Our progression is the purpose of this work. 

The great plan, the creation and fall of man, the sacrifice of His Son and subsequent resurrection, all things that exist are given to us by God to help us improve ourselves. Without all He has done, improving ourselves is impossible. I love him for it. I love y'all too, thank you for your prayers of faith. Thank you for your constant support that flows without ceasing. I love you.

-Elder Hunt

Waaahooo!

April 6, 2015

Hello!

I really enjoyed listening to General Conference.  I was inspired to see that rather than wishing and hoping for different circumstances, I can be grateful for all I have been blessed with. I can rejoice in all that my God has blessed me to accomplish. 

Bishop Gerald Causee spoke yesterday of how all the prophets of old looked forward to today with great anticipation.  They anticipated the many countries the gospel would be preached in, the many temples that would be built, the many members all across the world, and the many missionaries out serving. Just like the Nephites who saw the sign of Christ's birth and only four years later reverted back to their old ways, no longer amazed at a sign or wonder from heaven, I realized I take all the success the Lord has blessed me with on my mission for granted. 

Bishop Causee invited us to never tire of discovery and rediscovery of the gospel. In other words- never take the gospel for granted. We have such great opportunities for joy in this life and eternal life in the world to come. We have clarity and understanding on so many topics confusing to the world. We enjoy an eternal perspective that allows us to choose to look unto Christ and find happiness in our hope in his divine atonement. 

We enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost, a great gift that allows us to be prompted at all time and in all places to do God's will. We have the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ and all He has done for us.  This book is filled with truth and learning that will help us if we receive and apply it. Kevin Pearson invited us to study the Book of Mormon every day, every day, every day. He promised that we would be granted strength to endure through dificult times.

I know that as we pray honestly and sincerly to our Father in Heaven, read diligently from the Book of Mormon, and obey his commandments so that the adversary has no power over us; we will have strength to endure. Simply going to church each week will not be enough. We must take this gospel into our hearts. We must live it individually, and in our family circles. I love y'all and y'all are in my prayers. 

 

Got to go y'all, 

Please know I love you.

 

-E Hunt