Scottsdale Christmas Arizona

It seemed like a short week yet at the same time it seems like I have been here for a while. It was a little disorienting to be down in the valley were every other car is a Corvette or a Lamborghini  and there are actually restaurants and stores. A pretty big contrast from the Indian reservation. That's not to put down the reservation, I still love that place and want to go back. Just a lot different. We went straight to it once we got to the valley. I got my companion, dumped my stuff at the apartment and we managed to get a good lesson that night. The next day we managed to catch a couple people home, and I got to meet them. Then, also there was a lesson with one of our recent converts and he was really cool to meet. Then, Elder Meine, my companion, he got sick. So, we made some calls and I managed to get out and proselyte with a member. I went with Brother Nuttell. He was a pretty cool guy, I enjoyed going with him. We had a super awesome lesson with a less active family and got a random call to give a blessing. So, it was all crazy and so much has happened in just a week. But, I am starting to settle in. 

I had a very nice Sunday this week and I hope you did too. We had five hours of church because we cover two wards and it was cool being back into a ward. Definitely a lot of change. It almost feels like I am starting over aging because I was in Fort Apache for six months. But, anyway it was fast Sunday and I managed to get my self up there and bare my testimony. It was super cool and nice. It has been awhile since I have done that. I  guess I am a good speaker because both wards asked me to speak next week so, I guess that is happening. I am actually excited though, speaking isn't all that bad, it is pretty fun. 

It's the Christmas season! I gotta watch the Christmas devotional and it was super good! I have been reading Jesus The Christ, Matthew, Luke, the end of Helaman and the beginning of 3 Nephi. It makes me so happy to think about Christmas and what is means and the purpose of our savior. I hope you have been finding that same joy.

Love you all! I hope you are all having a good Christmas!

Elder Hamson

I'm dreamin' of a DryChristmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas is coming and I am seriously so filled with joy and excitement! I learned yesterday that I am being kicked out of the cozy mountains and sent to the valley. So, that killed my Christmas spirit a little bit when I learned I wouldn't get snow. Oh beautiful snow, the fluffy white mana of joy, will be no more for me tomorrow and will not be present at Christmas. ️

Now that I am done ranting about snow I am sad to leave this beautiful reservation, these wonderful people and friends, and of course the lovely rez dogs. Haha but, I am excited for a new experience! I am excited to hit the ground running and see where God needs me and who God needs me to meet.  

This week was weird, last Monday feels like forever ago. Monday there was this workshop that we went to for the new missionaries. Because, 80% of the people in our mission have been out for less than, six months. That just makes me feel old, well "old" as in experienced. But, our P-day that day just turned into an all day thing. It was harder to fit everything in. But, anyway it was kind of hard to find people home because they were all out of town, or at their relatives house on the other side of the reservation. We managed to have some good lessons though and we taught another family that goes to church some times up the hill off the reservation. So, that was exciting because the mom was a pretty solid member but, we had never met her because she would always go to Pinetop for church instead of the Fort Apache Branch. Also, her daughters are not baptized so, that is super exciting but, I won't be here to teach them.

Thanksgiving was good we spent the day planning for the next week and talking about what we can do more. We also ate food, don't worry, we went to three dinners! The first one was good, the second one wasn't very good when we got there they were already done eating so, it was awkward and weird and I can't explain it but, the third meal was way good! They fried the turkey or something weird, I don't want normal people do, my family bakes it usually and, frying turkey didn't seem abnormal but, it abnormally good so, good job fried turkey!  

Then, finally this Saturday, we had five baptisms in our district. It was crazy! So much running around and trying to figure them out and fit it all in. But, it was all worth it because now they are all coming to church and finding the joy that is in Christ! Man, this work is so good, and rewarding! I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet and teach the Atene's, it is going to be sad to leave this all behind. 

Man, when you are in an area for six months it is really hard to move away. So many memories here in Fort Apache but, I guess the billionaires in Scottsdale need saving too. Haha, Hope your week was full of thanksgiving! And I hope you have already gone to mormon.org to check out this years initiative! Love you! Yes you! #LIGHTtheWORLD

Elder Hamson

So Grateful!

Happy Thanksgiving in like three days!

What are you grateful for!?

I'm grateful for my Savior.

I'm grateful for my family and all of you that I love!

I'm also grateful that my life is filled with joy and that I get to help other people find joy.

This week went by SO fast because we had the Ethelbahs Baptism this Saturday and we confirmed them in church yesterday. They are a wonderful family and I will share a picture. They are doing so well and I am so happy for them! 

Also, coming up this week we are helping a family receive the blessings of the Holy Ghost. The Atene family is planning baptism this week! I am so happy and so grateful I get to be a part of it. I have nothing else to report other than, I am filled with peace and you don't need to worry about me. Just enjoy the pictures.

Elder Hamson

Sorry

Wow!

Okay, I am so sorry, today was a lazy day. I will make it up to you next week. The important part is that I am okay and happy! The Ethelbah family had their interviews for baptism and we will have a great baptism for them this week. And other then that, The Atene family is still doing great, they are so amazing and I can't wait to see them baptized next week. We did a bunch of service this last week, lots of chopping wood, and picking up trash. It was pretty cool, I actually really enjoy chopping wood. And it was cool to help this guy clean up his yard he was so grateful, it's so good! Speaking of trash, the wild horses around keep getting into our trash and we had to chase like eight of them off our yard one day, it was funny. Haha, it's not normal to see wild horses running the streets. 

Again, I am sorry, but, I love you all!

Elder Hamson

Helping all the beautiful people

Well another week on the rez has been great!

We did a lot of service this week! Everyone burns wood to stay warm during the winter so, I have been mastering my chopping skills. Haha, I'm just kidding, it is actually pretty fun though! I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity I have to experience the joy that comes from doing a simple chore for these beautiful people. 

As for the missionary work we have two excellent families that we have been teaching. The Atene's, and the Ethelbah's, man how I love them. They have been learning a lot and it is rewarding to see the peace and joy that is starting to enter into their lives. Pretty soon here these families will be sealed together in the temple and that thought seriously makes me smile so much! 

Other then them we don't have too many people we are working with so, we have been talking to a lot of people trying to figure out who is interested or who could use some service. Hopefully we will find some more people to teach this week. 

We did have a Zone Training Meeting this week and I gave a training on Baptism. It went pretty well and I think it helped us focus on why it is so important to invite everyone to be baptized. It is was actually really cool to learn about and train about. You can read Alma 5 and Mosiah 18 and think about what Alma is talking about when he says Baptized unto Repentance at the end of Chapter 5.

You know this week went by so fast it doesn't feel like it has been a week. Also, I don't know what else you want to hear other then, I am doing fine, I am happy, and having a great time! 

Let's be honest though, all you want to look at are some pictures! 

Love you always and unrelenting!

Elder Hamson

1. Flash back to my old district

2. Zone lunch!

3. I was forced to wear the hat in order to eat. You do what you gotta do

This is Halloween

Okay Family!

Today is Halloween so make sure you eat a lot of candy! Haha, I am just kidding, that is unhealthy. 

So, this week was interesting and these past couple days were kind of stress full. We had some good lessons this week. The Ethelbahs are still progressing and we are planning on getting them baptized this month. I am so excited for them because they are a perfect little family of seven. They have been coming to church and have been learning a lot so, that is way exciting. The other exciting news is that we found another solid family to teach. We found them late one night trying to find a certain house. We managed to stumble upon a family in need of having their wood chopped. So, the next day we chopped their wood and they came to church yesterday! So, we could potentially have another family receive the gospel into their home. This is so exciting!

I'm sorry this is super short but, I will give you the bad news and then let you know what miracles happened to solve them. So. This weekend was kind of weird because my companion was in and out of being sick. That means we didn't get much done but, at the same time we managed to get a lot done. On Sunday night the wifi was down, which means we couldn't report on everything we did that week because the system they have us put it through takes wifi and has to be in Sunday night. I don't know if that makes any sense but, it was the worst... ugh, also, something weird happened with our debit cards so we don't have any money to shop. Then to add to that, we got a flat tire. 

But, as we speak, the money thing was figured out, we are at Big O fixing the tire, they have wifi, and this is Halloween.  

So, all is well, here are some pictures!

I love you all!

Elder Hamson

So Good!

Hello!

Well this week was transfers, so a little bit about transfer news I am staying down in Ft. Apache! But, my second half left me. Elder Whitehouse got transferred down to the valley and I have a new junior companion Elder Burt which means that the zone leaders are now split. So, I, as a Zone Leader, am in Ft. Apache and the other Zone Leader is in Pinetop. This is confusing unless you see a map so, I will draw a picture. BOOOM!!

So, there is a bunch of nothing between Whiteriver and Pinetop. In that way our zone is split into two districts one in Whiteriver and the other in Pinetop. So anyway, I am in Whiteriver and the other Zone Leader, Elder Jorden, is in Pinetop. It makes it interesting to work together but, we are managing. Hopefully it will work out well, it is just a little stressful. 

It has been interesting taking over the area. I haven't driven in like two months, and we may or may not have gotten lost a couple times this week. I miss the comfort of Elder Whitehouse knowing where to go and where everything is. Haha, he has been in the north area for six months and I got here a month ago. Okay, maybe a little longer than that but, I am less experienced none the less. Haha, it's been good though. I am enjoying it, it is fun to see the branch grow. 

We have been teaching a super good family the Ethelbahs. They are less active members that we re-activated and now that are coming to church. Now, the parents are the re-activated members and the children are not members. So, we have been working with them and helping their family be more united. I am excited for them, they are such great people and you can really see the change that is happening in there lives. I just hope they realize the joy that has come from keeping the commandments. Man, this sunday made me so happy! We had the Ethelbah, the Thomas and the Hernandez families at church and all of them are people I have been teaching for the past couple months. SO GOOD! 

Other than that not much has been happening down here, we found a good sincere lady that we had a pleasure to talk to. She was super nice and open to know about what her savior wants her to do. and honestly wanted to follow Jesus Christ so, hopefully she keeps the commitments we left with her to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know if it is true. It's awesomely simple how happy we can be just by keeping the commandments of God. Because the commandments are how we distinguish the difference between good and evil. If you do good you feel good. So, there you go. Make sure you do good this week so you feel good. :)

Elder Hamson