Steps unto Heavean

Dearest family and friends,

I think summer is on it's way! this past week here has been gorgeous. The sun has been shining, besides the occasional day. But for the most part we are getting sunny days. and since yesterday was day lights saving we now get an extra hour of sun each day! I love this time of year because it is full of potential and new growth. It's just like us in life, after we get through the hard times of spiritual or physical winter, the spring is the time to replant, rededicate ourselves. And what better time than now with General Conference and Easter this next week!

We were tracting early this week and met a woman that wasn't very interested at first, but ask we asked inspired questions she opened and let us in. Her husband was intregede who she had let in her home, but we offered to come back at a later day and left her with a Plan of Salvation pamphlet. A few days later we were walking past a café and this same lady came out and called us in. We went in and had a good talk with her and are going to be seeing her tomorrow. But it isn't every day that someone runs us down not us running them down ;)

We started to teach a young family the Sister missionaries before us had taught. She is amazing and her kids are spiritual stars. We had to get all of there attention for the lesson so we asked if they had any bisquits and some ketchup. We started talking about good things to do during the week and things that we don't do on Sunday. We related it how ketchup is good for things like burgers and chips, but not so good on ice cream or bisquits. So I ate the bisquit with ketchnup on it. The looks on their faces were priceless. Then as we continued to talk allt he kids were looking through the pictures in the Book of Mormon. And they all committed to coming to church for general conference.

But that wasn't the most interesting thing that I had this week. We went to a members house and she fixed us some Caribbean food because my companion is from there. We had mac and cheese, rice, goat, and kidney. yeah that's right goat and kidney!! The kidney was really nice I like it, but he goat. I was not a fan of at all. I tried it, but it sure faught back at me! I think that is the last time I will be eating goat.

The church produced a new video for Easter time called Because He lives. This is the link http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_ you all should go and check it out it is really nice. I am so excited for conference this next weekend :) The apostle and prophets are the big guns, and we need them in this war we are fighting in.

I hope you all have a great week I love you,

love Elder hammond

The Promised Land

Hello Everyone,

On Tuesday we were on our way to a members house for lunch. We had a bit of extra time so we decided to walk down a different road to get to his house. We met this girl called Hannah on the street. She was very open to learning and very receptive especially as we shared the experience that Joseph Smith had with the first vision. We invited her to continue to have these faith building expericences by learing more. She agreed and we got  her number and address. We text her that night and it wasn't her number. I was like okay well accidents happen. The next day we got on the bus and saw her on it as well. We decided to talk to her when she got off. We got off the same stop as her and she bolted. It was like she was running away from a cheetah. She was off to the races. We stuck around and talked to a few people around there and then headed the other way. I was so surprised this happen. What in the world. I felt so bad for her, it almost hurt to see someone act this way. So two days later we decided to go by the address she gave us anyway. And you aren't going to believe this! It was Hannah's house!! She was just scared because she was with friends. I had to do some repenting because I thought she had lied to us, thankfully I was wrong and we will be seeing her tomorrow :)

I had to give a training in district meeting this week. So I decided since it was St. Patrick's day I would make everyone some green brownies. I did one batch with salt and the other sugar. They looked exactly the same when they were baked, but they tasted differently. It is because of the ingredients. We can look great on the outside, but we need to address the real concerns on the inside. That is how people are truly going to change is getting the right recipe for life.

We have seen many miracle this week. We went by a potential we had tracted into and her brother answered the door. My companion didn't say word the whole time. Then afterwards he told me he had a dream a few months ago and that man was in his dream! :) I hope and pray we get to see Micheal again soon because things like this don't just happen just because.

And last but not least, Paul our miracle man. We hadn't seen him all week and went by his on Saturday night. We had a really spiritual lesson with him reading Mosidah 18 and talking about baptism. Then when the spirit was the strongest we invited him to church and had him give the closing prayer. By the time he had finished my companin and I were in tears the spirit was so strong! Paul felt it as well. I know that the Holy Ghost can touch anyones hearts. No one is too far from turning their life back to the Lord. I bear you my witness that God will forgive each and everyone one of our sins. If we truly repent and have a change of heart. Go to him and pray and seek for his help. I have felt the atonement in my life and the cleansing and comforting power of the Saviour. And I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

I love you all! Be good boys and girls,

Love Elder hammond

Come to Zion

Hello my good friends,

This week we had an amazing miracle happen here in Carlisle! We went on splits with our Elder Quorum  president and his councillor. Elder Singh went and visited our good friend Paul. Paul has stopped smoking! He hasn't touched a fag for over a week now! We were so excited to hear the news and see the change in him. I am so thankful for Paul recognising that with the Lord all things are possible. He should be able to continue to progress and continue to build that relationship with God.

On Friday we were going to a Phillipeons family's house for a birthday party. We got there and found out there was like 40 people there! They make such great food. I think I had died and went into heaven. I just kept eating and eating and eating. And one dish in particular was something I had never had before, Black pudding. I thought well I may never have the chance again, so I ate it. It was a lot better than I expected. Black pudding is actually really good. It has a great flavour. As well for the birthday cake, it was purple. I ate it and couldn't figure out the flavour, then they told us it was purple yam flavoured. I was also very impressed by that as well. Then we got our goodie bags and went on  our way.

Yesterday was mother's day here in the UK! It was a special day for sure. I was privileged enough to speak in sacrament meeting. I studied all week and tried my best to prepare so that I would do a good job. After the sacrament was blessed and passed, my heart started to race. You would think by now I wouldn't be so nervous, but I was. After I started to talk everything went well and I was fine. I am so very grateful for my mother. She is my best friend and I am so lucky to call her my mum! She has taught me so much! I am also thankful for all the woman in my life that have influenced me for the good. My aunts, grandma, sisters, and cousins. I hope everyone had a great Mother's day and don't forget to wear green tomorrow :)

love you all,

Love Elder Hammond

Oh I found out this week that we have a waterfall next to our flat!

The lake District

Hello Everyone,

Last Thursday I had the privilege of traveling back down to Manchester for a baptism at the YSA building. It was of a man that the  other elders in Swinton had taught called Ali. He is such a miracle and it was great to see the changes he had made in his life to qualify him to be baptised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He cut it a bit close though, he showed up just as we were about to call it off. It tested our faith you could say.

Before the baptism I had the privilege of going out finding with a return missionies little brother. He was called Walker. He is from Utah and was visiting. He has his mission call to Houston East mission. And he wanted to come out. I was very nervous when he said he wanted to come out teaching with me. Prayed and I prayed whilst we found. After about 5 minutes of no one stopping to listen to us we met this girl name Aimee. She was very shy and quiet. We taught alittle and opend up and told us how she had lost her aunt 2 months ago and how hard it was. We started teaching aobut the Plan of Salvation and she could feel the spirit. We took her to the YSA building and showed her around. She could feel a difference there. Because there was a baptism happening later that day the font was full. We took her there and showed her the font and invited her right there to be baptised she agreed!!! Don't worry we didn't baptise her right then! When we have faith and work with all of our heart the Lord blesses us. I am so thankful for Walker and his faith. He will make a great missionary.

Sorry I don't have much else to talke about it was a short week!

I love you all

Love Elder Hammond

Carlisle

Hola los Amigos y amigas!

How are you all doing! I hope really well. I am so excited to be emailing you from the green and pleasant land of England. I am now serving in a new area called Carlisle! It is just a shade off of Scotland. So I am about as close to Scotland as I can get and boy is it beautiful! We took the train ride up here last week. We got to go through what's called the Lake district. It is a beautiful part of the country. It is a lot different from Manchester but I still enjoy it all the same.

I am serving with a mission from the country of Guyana. Now if you are like me you don't have a clue where in the world that is at. It is an island in the Carribean just North of Brazil. He is a convert to the church. His family was baptised by who is now a bishop down in Rhyl. So it is great to be serving with him. I already love him and know we are meant to be serving with each other at this time. He has such a powerful testimony and it has touched me.

On Tuesday we got the opportunity to go to the temple. Wow It was such a powerful experience. We went to the baptisty and did our own family names. Elder Singh got baptised for his grandfather and I have to say I know staright away he accepted the gospel the room was filled with the spirit. Then I was baptised for about 20 of my ancestors. There is no greater feeling in the world than to help someone into the kingdom of God. Throughout my mission I have seen forces on both sides of the veil helping us out. I know that my ancestors have helped us to find those that we covenanted to meet before this life. I stand as one of Christ's set apart servants that he does lead and guide this church.

Sorry I don't have much to say this week. But know that I love each one of you and am so proud for helping me :)

Love Elder Hammond