Daily Miracles

Dearest family and friends,

This week truly has been a week of miracles! Each day we have been blessed to be in the the right place at the right time. Monday we were going to one of the families in the ward. They had to cancel on us because something came up. So we decided to go find. At the very end of the night we were headed back to our flat. We met a group of teenagers outside. We started to talk with them. One of them had been to church before. They were a bit rambunctious but, we pick out those that were prepared.

Tuesday was a funeral for one of the ladies in the ward. This was my first funeral since I think my grandma Bowen which was when I was a kid. It was  a very nice service she was  a great accet to the ward. We were able to get one of the YSA girls to go with us to teach our really good friend Dae. Dae has been one of my favourites to teach here in Swinton her and her family are so prepared to receive the gosple. We taught her about baptism and then invited her. She said when she knows more. She thinks in the future a few more lessons and she will have received an answer. That night we were riding the bud home and we met  a woman called Jennie. She had met missionaries before in Crewe and was very receptive to the restored gosple. We taught her about the Book of Mormon then gave her one. People are prepared all around us.

Yesterday at church we were asked to teach the youth sunday school about how to share our beliefs with others. It was amazing to see the youths attention as we spoke. They love the missionaries and I am so thankful that the ward trust us. after this we rushed up to teach sharing time in the primary.   We taught about how God shares his love with us. The little kids loved it, I love being in primary. The little kids are the best and all left with a smile, It might have been because we gave them sweets :)

Our special friend Roosevelt has been progressing really well. On Saturday we were in an area and didn't have much success so we decided to pray about where we should go. I got a strong impression during the prayer that we should go visit Roosevelt. We knocked on his door and he told us that he had prayed that God would help him at this time. Then we knocked. It strengthened my testimony that God does guide us and direct us. I love teaching the gosple. It is amazing to see me as a normal person, have the spirit work through me and have peoples prayers be answered. I know that lives! I stand as one of his witnesses at this time of him reaching out again to us as his children through a young boy Joseph Smith. I know he saw God the Fat her and His Son Jesus Christ! And there is no greater calling to have than to teach this gosple.

Have a great week everyone! God Speed the Right :)

Love Elder Hammond

Mortal Mission

Good Morning Everyone,

 

This week was kinda weird seeing the Sisters from my group go home. I watched them in the MTC and how much they changed and became more familiar with the gospel and comfortable talking about it. Their testimonies were amazing and I could feel their love for the Saviour and all that he had done from them. Also I wished the Cordons good bye as well. They are such an amazing couple and really helped me and the mission out. They are from my stake at home and really made me feel at home while I was here. It was great getting to serve with them and be a part of the Lord's ministry.

 

I got my new companion Elder Boehme from Canada. He isn't quite as loud as Elder Vaquera but maybe a close second. So I have had to step it up and really talk and help him feel comfortable. This is his second area so he is pretty new. I think a lot of myself when I see him. But I have changed so much and seen a greater desire in myself to serve and love. The capacity to love has grown ten fold. I was a happy nice person before, but I never imagined I could love this much.

 

We went to our friend Debora's house this week. She is an amazing person full of love and happiness. She had some Calimari and told us to try it, I wasn't really sure what it was, so she googled it. It was squid. It was actually really good. It tasted like shrimp! So add that to the exautic stuff I have eaten in England. I was greatful we were able to go and see her and uplift a bit. I think we will be seeing her again soon :)

 

Elder and Sister Hill are taking very good care of us! THey are the senior couple in  our ward. They took us out to eat 2 or 3 times this week. And each time we just laughed and laughed in the car. They are like grandparents to me. I love getting to be with them. They took us to a pizza shop and me met a less active walking there. We invited her to church and saw her Sunday morning walking her dog so we invited her again. She accepted and came yesterday :) miracles from service.

 

We have this great man we are teaching. We hadn't seen him since Christmas so we stopped by. He said Elders I have been having a really rough time. He let us and explained that he told his wife he had been meating with us. She thought he had joined a cult. It is the first experience like this I have had. So we proceeded to listen to him and answer his questions. He still wants to come to church and we fasted with him yesterday so that he could get his visa all sorted out to go. He is a great man and one that has truly been prepared by the Lord to receive the restored gospel. I am greatful that we are able to teach him.

 

I have so many great things going on! I am appreciative for all the prayers in my behalf and in behalf of all the missionaries world wide! You are the best! I love you all have a great week!

 

Love elder Hammond

1/12/15

We got transfer calls this week. I will be staying with a missionary called Elder Boehme from Utah. Elder Vaquera is going to be leaving and going to serve with my best friend Elder Elison in Warrrington. I am dead excited for this up coming transfer. It is my time to shine as a missionary and work harder than ever.

 

We had what is called a dragon fruit this week. It is from Israel and tastes like a kiwi but looks like an alien. we just had to have one.

 

Sorry it is short this week we got to run and get everything sorted out before transfers on Wednsday. Just know that I love you all and hope you are having the times of you life.

 

Love Elder Hammond

Near My God to Thee

Hello Everyone,

 

If there was a phrase that has described my mission thus far it would be Nearer my God to Thee. Yesterday in church we sang it. One of the sisters of the ward passed away suddenly this week and the song really hit me. It has been one of my favourites to listen to, but I didn't realise how powerful it is. My relationship with my Father in Heaven is stronger than it has ever been before. Throughout my life and especially my mission I have seen the lord's hand. I can't imagine how hard that must have been to see your perfect son be mocked and falsely charged and so lovely take it without a banter of an eye. Heaven Father loves each of us. That is why he so lovely gave us his son Jesus Christ.

 

We are teaching this amazing family Natasha, Dae, and Caprice :) we went to their home this week with a few of their member friends. The members introduced us to them and we have gained a good relationship in a short time. The girls came to church yesterday and then a mission homefireside later that night. I love the church and the way it is ran. I love my mission president. The fireside last night was as good as ever. To hear the testimonies of the newly baptised people and how the gospel has blessed their lives.

 

New Years was a party! We stayed the night at the other elders flat and watched movies with them. I think I have seen all the Pixar and animatied films now. I am all movied out for the next little while. It was great to welcome in the new year and a new beginning. This past year has been full of opportunies to grow. To learn more about myself and build my character. Lately I have seen a huge increase in the depth of my studies. I am starting to see things that I'm shocked I didnt' see before. It just shows we learn line upon line precept upon precept. I am thankful for my testimony and the strength it gives me each day as I go out and do the work of the Lord. I love each of you and am thankful that you are examples to me. God bless and have a great new year.

 

Love Elder Hammond