Sunday, November 22, 2009

B-ball with the Prez

G'DAY FAMILY:

We have American families in our ward that might invite us over for Thanksgiving but so far we don't have a dinner appointment. We might just go get some Fish and Chips- Australian Style.

We played basketball this morning with President Richards and it was almost the most aggressive game we've had yet! It gets that way with some missionaries. But when we play rugby its only touch instead of tackle. No one ever gets hurt. (*um -- what about a few weeks ago??)

There are so many miracles by the Lord's hand this week that I don't know where to start.
First, Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder Gonzales of the Quorum of the Seventy, and Elder Callister of the Seventy and who also wrote the book "The Infinite Atonement,"(which I really want to read someday) spoke to us on Saturday. They didn't originally plan to speak to all the missionaries but Elder Cook personally knows President Richards from San Francisco and they fit in about 2 hours to speak to us. We got a Mission picture with him and we all shook their hands and then we were able to hear from all three of them including Sister Cook. She was awesome. She is VERY musical and had the mission sing "Hark all ye Nations" and she all taught us parts very quickly.
Elder Gonzalez talked about being bold. Elder Callister talked about being a Consecrated Missionary. A missionary who sacrifices his all and puts it all on the Sacrifice alter. He talked about how there are only a dozen or so missionaries in every mission who reach the "Consecrated Missionary" status. He talked about how we can't just change our behavior on our mission, but that we have to change our nature. Isn't that what happens in repentance? That's how we become better. When we repent, if we only change our behavior we will most likely commit the sin again. We have to change our nature. That was one insight I got from it. It is my prayer that I will become a consecrated missionary very soon.

Then Elder Cook was amazing. He talked about how our missions bless ALL the missionaries' family and friends. He talked about how a sister of a missionary gave up her scholarship at BYU and moved to Salt Lake to work for a law office to keep her brother on a mission [hint hint Carly :)] and how much it meant to her. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven.

I saved the best for last -- another soul came unto Christ. We got a phone call in the office from a man who wanted to meet with the missionaries. He is actually in our area so we set up a time to meet with him. His name is Bob and he is amazing. He really wants to turn his life around. He is a clean cut guy and probably in his 40's. We had a lesson with him after our meeting with Elder Cook and we taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ- mostly on Baptism. He accepted the commitment to be baptized on December 13th and came to church yesterday and enjoyed it very much. He is truly in the Lord's hands. This is why: He has been having trouble understanding the Book of Mormon. Yesterday at church- all 3 hours were on the Book of Mormon and how it's another testament of Christ and how we can get more out of it. He also remembers our Ward Mission Leader from about 15 years back. Fifteen years back our Ward Mission Leader was a non-member and a different guy. I could tell he saw the huge difference in him and that is what Bob wants too. Our Ward Mission Leader just told him "This here -- it changed my life completely." Our ward mission leader is amazing. He is a consecrated ward mission leader. He puts it all on the sacrifice altar.

This work is true and it is guided by the Lord. To all those who read this-- never let Satan make you think you could never have a missionary experience.

I love you mom and Dad. Thanks for everything.
God Speed the Right,
Elder Hales

1 comment:

Tom said...

Man this guy sounds so different. Probably all those concussions he has been getting..