Christmas Week!!

Dear Everyone,

 

This was a good Christmas, we are truly grateful and thank God for all that we have received and have yet to receive.

 

A lot has happened; for starters my companion and I were given a challenge to eat some hot sauce. This was some powerful stuff or so my companion would testify, and I can testify that there was weeping wailing and nashing of teeth before the great and dreadful day. My companion experienced the burning of the chest.... and then some.

 

I watched the John Tanner story, it is on the DVD of the Doctrine and Covenants DVD's, Disc 3. I recommend all to watch it. Speaking of which, I feel much like a candy version of John Tanner- very wealthy in chocolate and such but desiring to do the most good with it. There is so much to be grateful for.

 

It was good to be able to speak with family, and I wish I could have talked with every one of them. 

 

I learned a lesson the other day. when a toe warmer (adhesive pouch that warms your feet) starts to feel like it's going to catch fire, TAKE IT OFF! It is better that one toe warmer should perish than your whole foot should blister in unbeleif. Between the candy I have received and food and the gift cards from christmas.... I should never have to beg for food.

 

My companion asked me the most bizare question the other day. He said, "Elder, can I see your sister?" I just kinda looked at him a little puzzled. "Sorry, I wanted to borrow your sissors". I've come to appreciate the random moments like that. I've got the theme song from the John Tanner Story stuck in my head.

 

Oddly enough I was actually more excited about this Christmas than almost any other before it. I don't know why exactly. It was a good Christmas.

 

Love to all,

 

Elder Hedgecock

'Twas the week before Christmas!

Dear All,

This week has been interesting in so many ways. I can't help but smile for 2 reasons; 1, my Companion told me that during the holidays everything slows down and no one wants to visit with us, however since Thanksgiving we have seen an increase in people wanting to take lessons- young and old, male and female, non-member and less active alike; 2. The three Sacrament meetings we went to I took notes on all the talks given- 3 wards, 6 talks, 2 subjects: one on temple worship and 2 on personal revelation. I thought by the third Sacrament meeting, I was going to hear the same stuff I'd heard from the other wards, but to my surprise they were all unique and gave helpful perspective to the matter to be able to see it a little more fully. I plan to type out the notes I take on my mission and assemble a binder full of all the notes on various subjects to be able to, as Elder Scott puts it, "if we are casual about the teachings of the spirit we lose the ability to feel them", so that it will show how much I cherish the knowledge the Lord has entrusted me with. And the other to have it for my posterity to read and see what they should do.

I was surprised this morning when another Elder called and asked my campanion and I to give him a blessing because he had food posioning. We went and took him and his comp gifts to help make the day better.  Before we gave the blessing, Elder Henassy said something to the effect of "you guys will heal me", and the manner he said it got my companion and I laughing. But while I laughed I could see that he had the faith to be made whole if it was the Lords will. The other surprise we got this morning was that a guy we are teaching called and told us his fiance returned home with their kids. So it appears we will be teaching him and his spouse-to-be. Hearing that caused me to be happy for him. It also got me thinking that is how our Heavenly Father feels about us- He is sad when we are and is happy when we are and is pleased when we do what's right.

We met a new investigator the other day, and his experience with missionaries was a negative one. He was not going to swear off a whole group of people because of one or two bad apples, though. Which reminds me NEVER EVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TELL SOMEONE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HELL AND HAS SENT THEIR FAMILY THERE TOO. I recall a statement made by Robert P. Swensen that states "do not belittle or mock other religions, we make good men better". This guy is a great guy. We didn't teach but just talked. Somehow I could compare some of the things we spoke about to gospel related subjects. So even though my companion told me we wasted our time,  I see it as a opportunity to progress the teaching we will do later (and yes we could have done better, but the Lord is able to work with what we have).

 

I ATE ELK LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!! That is some really good stuff! Never had elk, but darn, it was totally different than what I expected. I thought the steak would be tough and fatty, but it is quite lean and tender. Really good, too.

 

I need to figure out a time to call on sunday....... we'll figure it out.

I decided I was sick of talking to invisible people and pillows so we took a pillow we cared not for and put a shirt and pants on it and sat him on the couch in our apartment. We put shoes at the bottom and a hat when his head should be..... and then I put my coat on him... called him "Trent"..... I'm going to buy some stuff to add more realisim to him, and maybe throw our housing cordinators for a loop :) They are suppose to be going to all the apartments and doing inspections... could be fun! I took a couple pictures with "Trent" but left my flash drive at home so i'll have to send them next Monday.

 

We have seen a few houses decked out in lights. My companion and I think we should do a contest and whichever house wins will get a lesson. :)

 

I am learning to be careful how you pray to get patience, too.

 

Well,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Hedgecock

Another Week!

Dear All,

This week has been interesting. We have lots of new people to teach and opportunities to do what is right. The Spirit of the Lord is strong here in this area. As much as people may not think there is work to do, there is lots of work here even in the LDS community of Pocatello, Idaho. We have 2 over age youth we are teaching the lessons to, they listen and are receptive to what we say. One ward is just on fire with a desire to do missionary work. We are finding things are picking up. I'm learning all sorts of new things. We are also noticing that each of the wards seem to be talking more and more about missionary work-  in Sacrament Meeting, in Sunday School and all other things church oriented.

 

Well, got to go!

Talk later,

Elder Hedgecock

This Week

Dear All,

We are seeing progress! We have had all sorts of interesting things happen this past week. We've had a sister with 2 over age youth want the Missionaries to baptize her kids. We've recieved a few referrals that sound promising, and had a gentleman ask for us missionaries. He's 33 years old and has not been to church since he was 13, he was having some trouble in his life and saw a man in one of the wards we attend and started talking to him. That man told him to talk to the missionaries. We talked with him and gave him a copy of the Book for Mormon and set a appointment to meet with him Tuesday and teach him lessons.

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional was amazing last night! To see the depiction of Gabriel visiting Mary and the shepherds and the birth of the Savior; What a Wonderful Season it is! And yet how sad to see Christmas as being more of a time of sales and marketing and less about our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Should it not be a time to preach repentance to all those we see? Should we forget the many great and wonderful gifts that Jesus Christ gave us through the Atonement?

We strive to teach this gospel to all those who are willing to listen, who have been prepared to recieve us. I have had this goal in mind since I left the MTC and I think it should be said...I will try to put this goal in scripture form.
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, a mission was the best two years of my life: but I say unto you that a Mission should be the two years that lead into the best of your life."
I hope that in two years I can say. "A mission wasn't just a rare occasion that I will never experience again. but that a mission will be the beggining of a new experience."

Love you all,
Elder Hedgecock

Thanksgiving Week!!

Dear All,

This past week been a fun experience; we've had a bit of a slowdown of activity with the holidays and all. But we have finalized our plans to move the work forward with a list for members to fast for missionary opportunities, a list for members to offer their homes to let us teach investigators in their home and a fireside for 3 Sundays in a row to teach members how to be better member missionaries and answer their questions as well as answering questions non-members may have asked them.

Our Stake President is sending out an invitation on Sunday to invite all members to invite a non-member or less active to church. The classes for the day will be geared to those who will be visiting. We are excited to see if they will take the challenge and the number of people stakewide who will attend.

On Friday and Saturday I had exchanges with the District Leader. When he was with me in my area we managed to get 4 potential investigators, and our goal for the month is 4. On Saturday I was with the District Leaders companion in another area. It was exciting. :)

I'm still waiting for snow. I have heard now for about 2 or 3 weeks that it will snow and I will freeze. I say, "Alright, looking forward to the snow" and nothing. Maybe out of spite it will come when I don't want it. The thing is, I WANT SNOW!

I don't have anything else on my mind other than Godspeed.

Sincerely,
Elder Hedgecock

Week Two!!

Dear All,

The week is picking up, we got a few appointments set and we are being led by the Spirit as to what we shall do for each investigator and for the area.

I met my first “basher” the other day...... WOW. I mean WOW. I always want to laugh inside when meeting them, ‘cause they claim to be followers of Christ, they claim to have studied the Holy Scriptures for long periods of time, but I think even though those are good, they've gotten caught up in the "thick of thin things" and don't have a knowledge of the Spirit. His words were contentious and sounded a bit like a hypocrite claiming, "Don't mean to thump with you guys but you're wasting your time being out here", he challenged us to read the Book of Hebrews. I read it and it helped me confirm what my purpose is here. I took the challenge because I knew the Lord would teach me something about these types of people. I said little to the young man because I would rather stand before my God saying, “I Listened to the man, to what he had to say and sought to know what he needed rather than feed his desire to stir up my heart to anger and contend with him”. I decided if I see that man again I shall thank him for helping me understand my purpose as a missionary a little better. :)

The members are great and loving of the Missionaries. I think of a talk from President Uchtdorf where he said, "When I was called as a General Authority, I was blessed to be tutored by many of the senior Brethren in the Church. One day I had the opportunity to drive President James E. Faust to a stake conference. During the hours we spent in the car, President Faust took the time to teach me some important principles about my assignment. He explained also how gracious the members of the Church are, especially to General Authorities. He said, “They will treat you very kindly. They will say nice things about you.” He laughed a little and then said, “Dieter, be thankful for this. But don’t you ever inhale it.””

I went on exchanges last Wednesday and we taught a Wiccan. I was surprised to find what that is though, they are commonly called witches. They amazingly have a lot of beliefs that are similar the church. Granted, they have a few differences, but I could sense she had a great deal of love for her fellow men and could tell she was charitable and compassionate. I felt the Saviors love for her in the lesson and we stressed it to her. I wish I had more to say, but my mind has drawn a blank. In time I hope I can be a more effective missionary.

2 Nephi 25:26
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Love you all!
Elder Hedgecock

First week out!!

Dear All,

This week was interesting. I am now serving in the Alameda 2 Area which covers the Alameda 5th-9th wards. I am being trained by Elder Mansfield who has been in the area before me.

The first week here was a real slump.... lots of walking with no real contact of investigators. This week is already looking better with a few appointments with investigators. A less active sister we visited with and challenged to come to church came even after she forgot to set her clock back and came an hour early. Goes to show she knows whats important! We meet with her again later.

We have about 32 less active and recent converts. Elder Mansfield and I decided it was time to sift the wheat from the tares, we are going to be focuing more on what investigators we have and getting more referrals.

Sister Stones (our 'missionary mom') is a really sweet lady with 3 kids. She is a kid at heart sometimes. :) She likes helping us and we do chores and plan family home evening activities for her and her kids. Today we help a lady move out of her house. After that the schedule gets empty till later in the evening, but there is some shopping to do later today.

T.T.F.N.-Ta Ta For Now

Love,
Elder Hedgecock

Changes afoot!

There is a happy circumstance for Elder Hedgecock, or perhaps, more accurately, the happy circumstance is for his mom, but in any case, it's a rather unusual situation. Elder Hedgecock is serving in exactly the same mission as his recently returned step-brother, Elder (Justin) Hoopes. In addition to serving under the same mission president, they will likely run in to many of the same members. This Missionary Mom is delighted, because it means she may hear more about Elder Hedgecock from ward members in places where he is serving than is normal, since some of them keep in touch with (the former) Elder Hoopes!

We received a phone call from him on Tuesday, as he waited to board the plane to Idaho, and that was a fun, although short, conversation.

We have learned that Elder Hedgecock is serving in Alameda area, a little bit north of Pocatello. And, thanks to the internet, we also know that snow is falling in that area!! Keep warm, Elder Hedgecock!!

MTC

Dear Family,

 

It has been amazing and I can tell I have grown a lot here. The teachers and other Elders who are leaving agree that they have seen us grow. Elder Scott talked to the missionaries Tuesday and that was amazing, I enjoy how he is so friendly and how inspired he is. He talked to us about marriage..... yes us missionaries.... marriage..... seems I can't escape that subject anywhere I go. The Spirit is strong here and I am learning how to become more and more in tune with it. I love the Scriptures more and more as I am here.

 

Love,

 

Elder Hedgecock.

P.S. the keybord is a little used and abused.... I'm not resposible for typos and spelling errors.... or joined words.

The first week at the MTC

Most Missionary Moms wait with bated breath for their first communication from the Missionary. I have to admit, I'm no exception!! Well, we did receive a short email from Elder Hedgecock on Monday...and were thrilled, but not surprised, to hear that he was having a great experience at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo. Later in the week, we received the following letter in the mail...so here it is! The first 'Family and Friends' letter from Elder Michael Hedgecock:

Dear Family and Friends,

The MTC is a busy place! The first week has been trying- it is a huge lifestyle change, but there is no other place on earth like this. I am learning to teach in a new way and in an effective manner. The temple yesterday was amazing, too.

We like to make jokes sometimes. The first day, a picture of President Eyering fell off the wall and the first comment was, "Thank you for joining us, President Eyering!"

We had quite a devotional tonight. Elder Richard G. Scott came tonight and talked about keeping tools around you to write the impressions from the Spirit. Go figure, I would forget my notebook! It was a wonderful talk, giving great insight. I don't think I could ever deny that Elder Scott is an Apostle of the Lord. I had the opportunity to get up and read a scripture and answer a question asked by Elder Scott. He said I had a great answer. It wasn't anything deep or personal, but I guess the simplest things bring the greatest blessings.

(I'm worried that my handwriting is terrible, which it probably is!). It  is getting quite late, and I have a lot of studying to get done...

Love you all!
Elder Michael Hedgecock Jr.