Week 65: Road trippin'

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you are spending it with family and loved ones! This was such a great week! We did a little road trip to the east side and it was awesome! 

Tuesday

This was probably one of the best days in the area we've had in a long time. This was one of the weeks where we didn't have a lot of office work to do so we were pumped to go out and work hard! We taught four lessons in one day and that's usually what we've been averaging for a week. It was sweet! We were able to see a lot of the people we were working with and it was one of those days where things actually worked out. You don't get too many of those as a missionary so you just have to cherish them. 

Wednesday 

Solid district meeting from our boy Elder Averett as always. He's a stud. We went on the hunt for more lost sheep and we were successful on a few. We found a lady who hadn't been to church for 40 years! She was a funny one.  We did some small religious talk we'll call it and got right down to the Book of Mormon. We asked if she was willing to read it, and she said: "Oh no, that Book just doesn't make any sense. My nephews served mission and they all left the church." We then asked if she had ever read the book and she said: "Uhh I think once." So you haven't read it... I swear all the people that have been inactive for forever and a half and have found some other church haven't spent their due time in the Book of Mormon. Read it and find out for yourself! There's my rant of the week.  It's sad to see people leave the church for dumb reasons having not read the convincing evidence of the restoration. 

Thursday 

Part one of our exchanges began. We picked up a new car that needed to get to the other side of the mission and headed out to Altoona. We met up with the zone leaders that serve out there and went straight to work! I love exchanges and I always learn a ton! I think in Altoona I was really reminded of the importance of loving the people we teach and complimenting them for their success. They are really changing their lives! Elder Cuthbert (who I was with) is an excellent teacher and it's good to see others style of teaching. Solid exchange. 

Friday 

We did a little service in the morning with Altoona and then headed to Williamsport!  I was pumped to go back to one of my old areas and work with Elder Spencer who was my companion in July. We had a sweet day and it was awesome to see the people I have grown to love out there! They seem to be doing so well which is the best thing you can ask for! I wanted to to give a little run down of some familiar names if you've been following this journey: 

• Mary English - Used to smoke and drink coffee all the time and has now given it up. She hopes to get baptized in a few weeks!
• Lakes family - Such good people! We had dinner with them and Gavin who used to never pray, said the dinner prayer.  Kaley gave a talk in church and has been to the Manhattan temple. 
  
• Peña family! - They used to be super skeptical about everything and have since gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Jesus Christ. They look so much happier and are getting baptized in the middle of December after she has her baby! 

It was so cool to go back and see all these amazing people. There is some great work going on in Willy and it was great to see some of the "fruit of our labor." I think as missionaries it can be discouraging sometimes and you might not feel like you're making a huge difference. I've grown an appreciation for planting seeds. You never know what could happen down the road. I guess I have been blessed to see some great things and I'm super thankful for that! 

Saturday

A few weeks back in Willy there was a big rainstorm and a lot of houses got flooded... The Elders spent a few days just serving the victims and helping out wherever they could. They took us to do more work on a house that got DESTROYED. It was bad. We spent a few hours taking out rotted wood and tearing down walls and what not. It was great to be able to serve these people and they were super grateful for all that we did! It was also probably the last nice day of the year. It was in the 60's and it snowed yesterday. Quite the turn around. 

Sunday 

Had a lesson with the Bortz and Trenton told us he wants to pass the sacrament! That was a great moment. They've been coming to church every week and Trenton has been eating it up! We're going to be talking more about the Priesthood but I think he's ready. 

Random thoughts 

• Gavin Lakes who is 8 years old gave the best prayer in which he said: "Please bless the beloved food." 
• The Peñas were concerned that the members aren't feeding us enough in Pittsburgh... they said that I looked flaco and that Elder Spencer has some cachetones (big cheeks). I laughed so hard on that one. I love Latinos. The best part was I had to explain it in English to him after. 

I'm especially grateful at this time of the year to reflect on all of the things I'm grateful for. I've been extremely blessed throughout my life and God has been very good to me. 

I'm grateful to be here in Pennsylvania at this time serving the Lord and inviting others to come unto Christ. It's changed me into a better person and for that I owe a lot of thanks. Have a good one everybody! 

Stay safe, 

Elder Halls

Pictures: Kaley, Gavin and Tucker Lakes; Peñas family. Francisca is ready to have her baby; Sister Samuelson wanted a pic with our hats. This was a long time coming.