Miracles!

Wednesday we met with our investigator Shut Yee. She took us to Gregg's, a dinner, we were sitting outside walking with her, and we notice these two ladies that kept looking at us. We knew they were listening, so when they got up to leave they asked if we were Jehovah Witnesses. We said no we are representaves from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or the Mormon church. They said they had heard of it, but didn't know much about it. They were born again christians. We explained how there are 23,000 different christian denominations and that they all had the Bible but only one church had the Book of Mormon. And that it testified that God loves all of his children not just a select few. And explained where the Book of Mormon came from. Then one of them mentioned her uncle was Catholic. Our investigator Shut Yee, said she was Catholic but was converting to Mormonism. What more sign did we need, we invited her to be baptized and she said yes of course. Then we told her October 12th, she said Elder Kunzler birthday. She is such a great lady and I am happy to be teaching her about Jesus Christ's restored church. She is such a great lady.

The Lord really does answer to us as we ask in faith. We prayed and fasted and the Lord blessed us with this opportunity.

So British candy is much better than American, and this one is my favorite its called a bueno bar!

I love you all!

Love Elder Hammond

A happy Missionary is a busy missionary

Hello everyone,

This past week has been one of the fastes weeks on the mission! I literally swear I was just here in the library writing you all. Things go so fast! It's hard to belive I have been out in the mission field for 2 months already. It doesn't feel like 2 months at all.

Last Thursday we had a multi zone conference with our Mission president, President Preston. In this meeting, he taught us that we must have 300 gospel conversations a month to get 1 baptism. That is only 10 gospel converstations a day! That isn't alot. Since we go from 10 in the morning till 9 at night. 11 hours to have at least 10 gospel conversations. Later on in the conference, we had a training from some of the Zone leaders. They related the gospel to football. And I was excited! They talked about us using our daily planner like a play book. And how we must draw up our plays and then execute them with exactness. But as in a game, be willing to change to what the defense is doing. We must be urgent in what we are doing, and if we do, we will score a touchdown. Then we had a traing from some of the sister training leaders. They taught about extending commitments and how it realates to basketball. If we practice really hard, we will get that dunk. But how exciting is it if no one sees us dunk? Its not so we must get others involved.

So Friday we went to one of our investigators home, he said he was on facebook one day during the week and saw one of his friends liked mormon.org. And that he watched a few videos and was excited to hear about our life and how our beliefs had helped us. So I would challenge you all to get on your facebooks and like mormon.org, because you never know which one of your friends might be affected by this :)

We were going through our area book and went to this boys house, he had met with missionaries 6 years ago. He was 8 at the time and still remembers having them over. He was really interested and we are going to see him and his mom this week. Miracle after miracle.

We took one of the members to one of our investigators home Saturday, her name is Shuetype. She has never been to church and our fellowshipper invited her to come. She hadn't ever said yes when we asked but she said yes this time. The ward members really were great and made her feel welcome. She got a ride to church, then we turned her over to a lady in the ward and when we when to get her after church, she had 4 or 5 people talking with her. And one of the members already said they would give her a ride it was a great miracle to see the ward come together and help us.

The Lord has been blessing me and Elder Kunzler so much this week. We have seen miracle after miracle. Its by obedience that miracles can happen. I know that the lord is blessing me and I can't do this work without humbly seeking the holy ghost. I love you all have a great week!

Love Elder Hammond

ps saw this in the store and had to take a picture its pretty funny.

Oh and Britrish candy is way better than american!

My Birthday Week!

Dear Everyone,

What a spendid week I have had. Last Tuesday I went to Rhyl for a zone meeting. Rhyl is right on the coast of Whales, so I was able to see the ocean on the train. What a neat experience that was. In our zone meeting we learned about the power of words. They put up words on the white board like Savior and Charity and we wrote down the words we thought of. Then they put up words like Satan and Addiction. And it was crazy the amount of difference you feel from just one word. So they challenged us to work on our words. Help people feel the spirit as we use uplifting words. At the end of the zone conference, we had a testimony meeting. Only like 7 out of the 40 or  so people had time to bear their testimonies. And I was the last one that did. I kept putting off the spirit and not doing it, but I had to bear my testimony. I had so much to thank the Lord for. I know that the pushes us to our best and one of those ways is through others. As I hear others testimonies, I wanted to share mine.

My bishop is a great man. He has 3 kids, George, which is getting ready for a mission, then robin and liberty. Robin and liberty both have severe authisum. Their mom is really the best she takes care of them and watches over them. they are the sweetest kids in the world.

We have been teaching a man named Ronnie. He was a member refurral. He has had problems with drinking and drugs all of his life. He turned 50 this week, and he said he shouldn't be living like this. He was in bad shape for 50. But he has stopped drinking, he hasn't had a drink for 2 weeks! And he is really cutting down on smoking. He hadn't had one all day when he came to church yesterday. I can feel the presence of the spirit in his life :)

So I have some famous people in my mission. Elder Walker one of my zone leaders ran the 800 for BYU. He is the fastest 800 meter runner in america under 20. He could have gone to the olympics. Elder Manning is from Highland Utah. He played for Highland rugby. Which if you have seen Forever Strong you would understand. And he is ranked #3 in the united states in wrestling! Also I met man in the park this week that wants to learn more about our believes. He is a coach for Wrexham football club. and played proffesionally in Poland for 5 years.

So I heard there is massive flooding going on in Colorado. That is not good. I hope everyone is praying for them. Oh and if you didn't know... I'm 19 now! :) no longer an 18 year old missionary.

Thank you all I love you all have a great week :)

Love Elder Hammond

Oh the blessed Green Hilly Land

Hello everyone :)

These are pictues of my friend Rikesk back in Liverpool, he will be baptized some day :) and my district

growing up in Idaho its not hard to imagine seeing your breathe at 8 at night on a early september day, but out here it really surpised me. It is very cold here. And its just beginning. But don't worry mom I have lots of jackets, coats, and hats to keep me warm :) Wrexham is alot smaller than Liverpool. I never thought I would say a 70,000 person town is small, but it is. we have 40 members in our ward. But they are the best ward. They brought investigators to church for us to teach. After our meeting, 2 ward members prepared us a lunch. They live 75 minutes away from the chapel, so they feed us at the chapel. They are super nice, and talked about serving a mission later in life. And our flat is right next to the chapel. We are in a biking area, so we get to travel all over on them.

On Thursday night, our first real night here, we ate at a members house. It is a elderly couple that have their two grandsons living with them. On of them has a pet boa constrictor, and I really hate snakes. But I held it. Yeah it was really scary and you all are probably laughing at me, but I faced my fears and held a snake.

I was reading my Patriachel blessing yesterday! Oh I love the counsil the Lord gives me. I know that he know me on a personal level. He knows what I'm going through and will go through. as long as I continue to trust in  him and know I can't do it without his help I will be great. In fact all our trials are preparing us to meet God again. I know the Lord loves each and everyone of us. as I do as well, Love you all

Love Elder Hammond

I am leaving England! :(

Well everyone I want you to know I am doing great. The reason I am writing this on Thursday is.... I left England! It was transfers this week and I got sent to WHALES!! Yes I am now writing this email to you all in Wrexham Whales. So I might pick up on some Welsh while I'm here.

I am sad I left Liverpool though. We had just met a lady and man named Dave and Trish. We taught them 4 times in one week. And they were coming to church and really enjoyed us, but I am needed in another area. We have 21 new missionaries in the field now. 9 new areas in the mission were opened up. The growth is massive in the mission. We now have 220 missionaries in the England Manchester Mission. Oh exciting news though. Me and Elder Kunzler transfered together so we will be staying in Wrexham. That is a blessing. He said he had only heard of it happening once before. The Lord has special work for me and him to do here.

Monday we were at a members house in Liverpool. We were saying our goodbyes and thank you's to our friend John. His wife called and said that a little 4 year old boy was lost at the mall. They had been looking for him for 45 minutes. The police were there with search dogs and everything. She asked us to say a prayer. So all of us got on our knees and said a prayer together. Literally 30 seconds later she called and said he was found! The lord hears and answers our prayers!  I am excited to serviece in Whales. The people are great, Love you all!!

Love Elder Hammond