Rain yay!

My dear friends!

It rained so yay!
There seems like so much happened this week. I don't know how to
describe most of what happened. But, I will do my best to describe the
blur of the week I had.
At the beginning of the week we had some good lessons with our
investigators, Eddie, The Bonitos, and The Williams. Ervin and his
family we didn't see all week. And we tried multiple times a day to
try and catch him home. He just wasn't there this week. So, that was
unfortunate. We found out our investigator Sean broke up with his girl
friend so, that is good but, he moved out and hitch hiked down to the
valley. So, he just fell off the face of the planet.
Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Kapisi. It was super fun to
experience a new area. We had a bunch of Book of Mormon lessons with
less actives and that is honestly the best thing to help someone
re-learn to appreciate the Book of Mormon. It was super rainy that day
and it made the day that much better. It has been so hot lately and
the rain felt and smelt so good. At the end of that day we made a
visit to the hospital to give a couple blessings to some of our less
actives.
Man less actives for dayz this week. We had like twelve lessons with
less active members this week.
It continued to rain til Saturday that week and it was annoying how
muddy everything was getting.  But, that's okay, it is much better
than the heat.
This week has been a really good productive week. This might not make
since but, we visited ten of our potential investigators and
successfully cleaned out and organized our whole teaching pool. Now, I
officially know all the investigators and most of the less actives we
are teaching in our area. That is super helpful for me. You don't
understand, the potential investigators and new investigators were a
mess when I came into the area, and since I have been here we cleaned
up the whole area book and I know the branch and the people in our
area so much more. *sigh* what a relief!
So, that is what we have been doing all week and it is just so
satisfying to get work done! We even ran around and gave a bunch of
blessings, like five, that's a lot. We even had a record high of 142
persons attended church this week. So, yeah I'm doing pretty good! I
love this reservation! The people are just not rude, haha no offense
to the rest of the people of the world. Sorry if this was everywhere
it is hard to explain missionary work on the reservation.
Well, as some guy always said "Pictures speak louder than words," so enjoy!

Love you people!
Elder Hamson

Was there any work done?

Hello and welcome!

This week was weird because it felt like no work was done. P-Days we
just clean and get groceries and throw water at each other. Then in
the evening we have a FHE activity. So that whole day is always
planned out automatically. It was fun though we had smores and had a
lesson about obedience.
On Wednesday we had this Men's Health Conference that non of us wanted
go to but, a non member invited us to. We ended up helping out there
all day. We helped out with all the presentations and activities. I
went to a class about diabetes and another about mosquitos. And helped
out at a wood burning one. It was super weird and kind of a waste of
time as a missionary but, we got free stuff so I guess it was okay.
Thursday was pay day this week. So, that means they all go wait in
line to get their share of the money from he tribe and then, go up to
Show Low to buy a bunch of groceries. It is annoying because no one is
home. But, we did manage to find a party that a tribe council member
was holding and we crashed the party. We went around and talked to a
bunch of people and of course answer everyone's soul searching
question: "Whoa dude! How tall are you!?" Also, a bunch of them
"needed" a picture with me. Haha it was weird. I don't like being the
celebrity. We found a few people out of that though.
Saturday we had a huge branch activity where we had a game night. It
was super fun and hectic. We played dodge ball, basketball, a bunch of
mini games and cleaned it all up in preparation for Sunday. It was
super exhausting but, worth it.
Sunday we had a super good lesson with our recent new investigator
Merlinda. She is going through some tough stuff and we had a super
good lesson about the Holy Ghost that brought them hope. So, they
accepted the invitation to be baptized. So, we are super excited for
them! They have two little girls too. This lesson is what made it all
worth it this week. I love it!

Sorry, I didn't have time to add detail to this email. An official
apology has been made.

Thank you!
Love you all :)

Elder Hamson

Enjoy the silly pictures!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy day of the Father!

Elder Hamson here, still serving the Apache Tribe and haven't learned
an ounce of Apache! Yay! Haha is week was CRAZY!!! We had three
baptisms! It was awesome and guess what!? I baptized Thomas, one of
those three! Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself. Let's start over
shall we?

Monday we run a FHE activity where we have a lesson with all the
families we invited, and then we have an activity. This week we played
dodge ball it was pretty fun and entertaining how competitive that
sport can get. 😂 That was just super cool I'm excited to see who
shows up for tonight.
Tuesday we had five solid lessons, I love it!
Wednesday I got to back to my home town in snowflake, talk to my
trainer, Elder Robinson, say goodbye to President Sweeney because he
leaves in like a week then, I got to go to he temple! Yup, that's
right, It was a super good day huh? But, wait! Plot twist! The Cedar
Creek Fire is a flame! All of a sudden the road is closed to get to
Cebique and this enormous fire is headed for Show Low! So, the Cebique
Elders came so our place to stay the night since they couldn't get to
Cebique. It has been super crowded. In case you don't know what
Cebique means or who Show Low is, I will draw you a picture.

Wa-Bam!!

Apache!

Sicnae! Dagotee!

I got transferred! I now am a part of the branch in the Apache Indian
reservation! Fort Apache! My companion Elder Bay is the district
leader and we have had a crazy three days so far in fort Apache.
Day one we get to the rez and we taught five lessons! It was awesome I
got to meet half of our investigators on day one! The people are so
nice and cool! I love it! The pace is so much faster out here. The
work felt a little draggy in Snowflake but, it was all I knew so it
was great! But, now that I am on the rez, I'm hooked! It is so good!
And all the people here love Basketball! They get a kick out of my
height, it is pretty funny. We had this open gym thing that goes on
every Friday. Where we play basketball with the people in the area and
contact them and get them to invite friends. Super cool and I think
president put me here because of the people's obsession with
basketball. Interesting.
Day two was nuts! One of our investigators got married so, now she can
get baptized next week. We went to that and her reception. We had a
baptism as well! Chloe! She had her baptism and a dinner thing later
that night. Man, we ate so much food that day. And some how in the
middle of all this we got weekly planning done in three hours. Also,
three lessons. It feels like I have been here a whole week but, it has
only been three days! I am so excited! The people are so lovable!
Day three, Sunday was super different, I only had to go to one
sacrament meeting because we only cover one branch. So, that was nice.
Also the ward was all converts and it was cool to see it all run
different and a little rough because they are learning. Not your
classic white Utah Ward. And we had this member missionary meeting
thing where we invite the members and talk about how we can best
welcome people into the Ward and help new investigators feel
comfortable in coming to church and the weekly activities. It was
super good, I am learning a lot! Then, we had a bunch of interviews
for baptism and that took forever and We learned that our
investigators are drinking coffee so, that's good to know. That night
Elder Bay had to collect all the numbers or stats for the week and
then we traveled up to Show Low so we could shop on P-day.
So, here we are! There is so much that happened I can't even process
it all. We slept on the hard floor because there wasn't room at the
apartment we went to. We got our shopping done today and drove back
and now this email is standing between me and this basketball game we
are about to start so.... Sorry, this is awkward but, I love you so
stay positive! You can do this!

Tootles!
Elder Hamson

Hot Hot!

Welcome Friends!

This week has been hot! It was like 95 all week, which is pretty hot
for early June up in the mountains. This week started with a good ol'
Weeding service project and we was pulling seven foot weeds taller
than me! It was a good time and we had a couple good lessons about the
plan of salvation. I love talking about Happiness and what God has
down to supply happiness for us in this life.  Mmmm :) Then, on
Wednesday we had another Elder with us because his companion was on
exchanges with another group of missionaries. Which made things
interesting. Haha, oh yeah! Last week we talked to a pastor over a
local church and he invited us to lunch. It went well, it was cool
learning about his church and what his job is as a pastor. He took us
to Arby's too so, it was nice to have a classic roast beef sandwich.
Anyway we asked if he had questions about our church and he blasted us
with anti-mormon doctrine he had prepared. It was kinda rude and I
didn't like it so we politely bore our testimony and thanked him for
the meal. That was fun.... But, we did end up having a good lesson
with a part member family. It was a little rough with three of us but,
it was nice to teach a family.

Exciting news! I had the opportunity to go down to the valley to be a
part of Mission Leadership Council! That means that I might become a
district leader soon. That should be interesting but, I am not sure
how soon that will happen. President Sweeney is leaving soon and
President Robinson will come in so we will see where this goes. But,
it was cool being a part of the "round table" haha. It was 115 degrees
in the valley though! Ah! So hot! It was like a giant hot blow dryer
on you continuously. Or like a giant oven. Apparently, normally the
heat is supposed to sink down into the earth once night comes but,
because It is one giant city covered in concrete and asphalt it
bounces back into the atmosphere so it is literally hot air trapped
between mountains, concrete, and atmosphere like an oven. Well, anyway
I managed to survive and it was super good! Now I am just nervous what
news awaits me this week for transfers. We will see and I will tell
you next week if I become a district leader or if I change companions.

Saturday and Sunday we had a bunch of good lessons and Elder Robinson
has been saying goodbye to all our investigators and Ward mission
leaders because he thinks he is getting transferred this week. But,
maybe, who knows. It is a weird time right now. But we had some solid
lessons and it was nice to get back to preaching the gospel. That
valley trip threw off my mission grove. Haha I hope you are doing well
my friends! I love you and stand tall as if you were seven two!

Majestically,
Elder Hamson

Softball First, Then Family

:)

We had a great week this week! The mission has a big push to get 90%
lessons that have a member present. That is huge! especially if you
serve down in the phoenix valley. But, this week we got 100% member
present lessons! We had 6 non-member lessons that we brought a member
to. It was awesome! We met with a bunch of less active members too!
Man, what a week!

let me start over. I love you guys and thank you so much for reading
this today! If you are reading this prepare to hear some epic
experiences! Okay, so Monday we took a member to two lessons and the
first one said he needed to read the Book of Mormon and wants to come
to know of its truthfulness. We are so excited for him. He is so ready
to be baptized but, his fiancé, who lives with him, doesn't like us.
So, that is a problem. Next we had a good lesson with a
non-denominational family and they are cautious to read the Book of
Mormon but, maybe.

We moved two families as some fun service projects, no adventures out
south this time haha. But, I enjoy moving projects I don't know why,
Tetris maybe. Haha anyway this whole week I have been getting yoked!
(Buff, built, however you want to say it.) The high school gym is open
and we go every morning.

We had a fun lesson with Godoy's and they said they would come to
church but, then they got in a car crash Saturday. They are okay but,
a bit bruised. I love them! They have such a good attitude about life
but, they have a hard time with church because every time we come over
they say they count that as church. Oh well. We had another lesson
with Donley, it went so grand! I felt the spirit so strong in that
lesson. We had a priest with us and he bore a powerful humble
testimony. I love it!

Zone conference was this week! I loved that too! President Sweeney
called on me and my companion to teach a role play. I love spontaneous
lessons that require humility and spirit. That lesson was the best
lesson I had ever taught! Ah, so blessed! President asked everyone
what we did well and they were all impressed and praising us it was
cool and now everyone thinks we are perfect teachers. Lol but we
aren't, haha it was all God.

And I'm back! Sorry, I just went to play softball in the middle of my
email time. It was way fun and exciting, thanks for asking! Anyway,
yeah zone conference was good, President and sister Sweeney had cool
talks about the second coming and how the sign has come, the book is
here, and here we go any day now. Haha it was awesome.

We also had a opportunity to teach mission prep yesterday on Sunday.
It was super fun and spiritual to teach future missionaries, it wasn't
long ago where I was one of them. Also it helps when we are all the
same religion and no one interrupts you mid testimony. I love
teaching! It's kinda cliché for a missionary but, it's true! I love
it! Haha, well I hope you survived this long. I know this is a bit
much but, if you didn't make it through, I forgive you. Even though
you won't be reading this part so, this was super pointless. Just ask
the secret question: "What is purple and quacks like an elephant?" And
if you have read this whole thing answer with "I don't like
hamburgers, silly!" That is how you will know those who are loyal to
reading this entertaining passage. So, have fun my friends! I love and
care about you even though you don't write me... Just Kidding! Not
complaining! ;)

Love for all, and for all a happy Monday!

Elder Hamson

Tiwi

Hello!

Welcome to another broadcast of Elder Hamson Adventures Show! This
week on the program we get to hear some words from The Elder himself!
These tales are from his personal experience in the mission field
serving his fellow men. Without further introduction: Elder Hamson!

Why thank you, it is good to be here to talk to you today. To start
off on the service side of this week, we help out the senior center in
our area. I vacuumed and moved in boxes of tuna and boxes of macaroni.
It was a good service but, what we did after that was an adventure!
We had a member who wanted help on her ranch and so we agree and we
followed her. She took us out to the middle of nowhere through this
rocky sketchy trail to her ranch house thing. It was exciting! It was
just like four wheeling on trails in southern Utah. That is how rough
that road was. Because of my tactical four wheeling skills we scaled
mountains and boulders and survived. So, that was interesting! The
rest of the serving we did was a bunch of weeding but, it has been
rainy off and on so the weeds were super easy.

So, a side story for y'all. Our Tiwi box has been broken for a month
now. That is a system connected to our car that tracts and improves
our driving behavior. So, it will warn us when we are speeding and
when we are driving too aggressively. It's not too bad, I feel like it
has helped me to avoid speeding tickets. But, anyway we had to drive
to a town called Heber about 30 mins out. And I got to see pine trees
for the first time in two and a half months! I miss trees, there ain't
much green out here. Haha anyway, we meet up with this guy he installs
the Tiwi and he did his thing and left before we could talk to him
much. So, we switch drivers because I had my fun driving down but, now
we are for real. We have a Tiwi that is watching us now. Elder
Robinson gets in starts the car and we drive off. Before we even leave
the parking lot it barks "No driver!" So, Elder Robinson lets a big
sigh out and said something like "Good to see you too Tiwi, I missed
ya," and we don't get 5 minutes down the road and it barks "Check your
speed!" I laughed so hard, I thought it was the funniest thing. I
don't think Elder Robinson was amused but, it was pretty funny because
he is usually top of the line driver. Anyway, long, useless, story.
YOU'RE WELCOME!

We found three new investigators this week! Joe, sage, and tony! I am
so excited! We did SO many finding activities and prayed super hard
and we now found some. It's amazing that you can find something out of
nothing if you show your faith that it could happen. People always say
"It must be difficult for you guys to find people to teach with such a
high percentage of Mormons around here." I always smile and think to
myself "I find your lack of faith disturbing," or "O, ye of little
faith," and reply with something like: "what you give is what you
get." It was just something I always said. But, it is so true! No
matter what mission you are in, it is the same work, and the same
struggle. No matter what the challenges may be for that mission, that
mission, and that companion are tailor made for your experience. They
are prepared to help you learn and grow the most. That is what I have
realized this week. That progression and self improvement is the mana
of life and happiness! God blesses us for making an honest effort to
improve.

I love you all and stay strong my friends!
Elder Hamson